A Little Piece Of Paradise Just Outside Lisbon Is A Top Pick For A Romantic Holiday

Want a hollier where you can spend all day lounging by a luxurious outdoor pool, have G&Ts flowin’ and eat incredible, fresh seafood? We’ve found just the place.

A recent trip to Portugal was spent discovering the charming seaside town of Cascais, located just a 40 minute train ride away from buzzing Lisbon. A cute old town with wild beaches and cliff views was amazing, but it was my hotel that really made it a memorable holiday.

I based myself at the Sheraton Cascais Resort, a five-star hotel that’s 10 or so minutes outside of the town and boasts a breathtaking outdoor pool, a luxe spa and an oasis of green gardens to stroll around after brekkie.

There’s a slick cocktail bar and restaurant on site, so you wouldn’t even have to leave if you didn’t want to. And after two tranquil days spent here, I really didn’t want to.

Upon walking in you’re instantly impressed by the hotel lobby. Sleek marble and wood and huuuge ceilings reassures you that you’ve arrived in a real haven. The only slight thing to be aware of is check in is quite late (4pm) but we were lucky to arrive on a Sunday so started things off with their special Sunday brunch while waiting for the room.

Think you’ve seen a hotel buffet? Think again. The brunch at Sheraton has all the good things to eat you could ever dream of… A BBQ grills up sardines outside on the terrace, traditional Portugeuse Pastéis de Nata custard tarts flow from a basket and there’s charcuterie, local cheese and flavoursome pasta.

A DJ is on hand ’til 6pm spinning tunes and it’s well worth spending €39 on.

The Sheraton has everything you’d ever want from a resort hotel…

 

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Their outdoor pool is split into two levels – one side is heated and there’s a wooden walkway between them that’s ideal for a cracking Instagram pic

Yes, I made my boyfriend take photos of me posing here. Who wouldn’t it?

There’s also a bar right beside the pool that does snacks and cocktails so you could easily spend the whole day just chilling.

Rooms start from just €85 too, so it’s not even mindblowingly expensive and they’re beaut, each with a balcony and comfy beds.

Cascais itself is chockablock with seafood restaurants and sunset views…

A delightful Portuguese fishing town, and is the Lisbon’s coastline most popular holiday destination. During the summer it is a bustling resort, with a buzzing holiday atmosphere and you’ll be stuffing yourself with local shellfish all week.

Winding lanes lead to small museums, cool gardens, a shiny marina and a pedestrianised old town dotted with designer boutiques and alfresco fish restaurants.

At the heart of Cascais is the pretty Old Town, which has retained its traditional Portuguese character, and is a great location for lunch and there’s also a charming vintage tram behind the train station that’s been converted into a cute little bar.

 

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And the fairytale town of Sintra is also just 15 mins away from the hotel – ideal for a day trip

Sintra is a rich, green forested town on a hilltop that is studded with pastel-colored villas and palaces, including the 19th-century Pena National Palace that’s known for its whimsical design and sweeping views.

I spent a good two hours strolling around Quinta Da Regaleira, a World Heritage Site certified by UNESCO. This magical villa and gardens is a journey into dreamworld, designed in the early 1900s by Italian opera-set designer, Luigi Manini.

Local coffee shops and flaky pastries make Sintra a gorge place to visit.

 

 

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I also booked in for a sneaky spa treatment (when on holidays and all that) at the hotel spa that was heavenly

I went for the the ‘Senses of Cascais’ body wrap.

Beginning with a salt and sand exfoliation from nearby Guincho Beach – a mixture prepared daily by the Serenity – The Art of Well Being spa team – that works to open pores and purify the skin, the treatment’s main focus lies in the body wrap which uses locally produced red wine and argil.

The treatment then finishes with a head and back massage and a goblet of Colares wine in the relaxation room to finish off.

Pure bliss.

For the whole month of June The Sheraton is celebrating ‘Festas de Lisboa’, one of Europe’s biggest street parties and celebrates the best of Portuguese culture, including colourful street processions, music concerts, theatrical productions and cinematic shows.

Lisbon is only 20 or so mins away via car, so the hotel is offering a complimentary transfer to the heart of the action in the city before retreating to the resort for a post-party.

Culminating on 12th – 13th June with the Festival of Santo Antonio, locals savour freshly grilled sardines off street kiosks, sing traditional songs and dance in cobbled squares until the early hours. What an absolute dream.

 

 

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Just two days here felt like I had a real break from the stresses of life and I left feeling so relaxed.

Pop it on the list for your next romantic trip away – you can’t go wrong with a stay there.

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