Farol Hotel
The seafront town of Cascais has been a popular escape for the great and the good of Lisbon for generations. The Farol Hotel bears witness to this: the original building was constructed in 1890 as a summertime bolthole for the Count of Cabral; his retreat from the heat of the capital Lisbon. He selected the perfect location – perched on a promontory by the Forte de Santa Maria, the hotel turns its back on the town and chooses to look across the vast Estuario do Tejo, where the River Tagus meets the Atlantic Ocean.
The original whitewashed building has been extended, creating thirty-three guest rooms – their layouts and décor are all very different, dictated by the existing architecture, and the rooms are more interesting and individual as a result. Many of Lisbon’s finest interior designers and artists were also invited to put their stamp on the guest rooms, the cocktail bar and the hotel’s two restaurants, which helps to merge the old building with the new.
Of the guest rooms, junior suites are our personal favourites, with their floor to ceiling sea view windows, and balconies overlooking the outdoor pool and sun terrace. The comfortable attic rooms above have a more cosy feel and a similar sea view, but without the additional balcony space – garden view rooms are also available towards the front of the new building. There are two excellent restaurants: The Mix lives up to its name, and its menu combines contemporary Portuguese and Mediterranean dishes, whilst the sashimi at sister-restaurant Sushi Designo showcases the best of Cascais’ local produce. Both restaurants are located in the new building, overlooking the ocean.
We’ll often recommend taking a holiday from driving when you’re staying at the Farol Hotel. Our guides can show you the palaces of Sintra, the wild west coast and Cabo da Roca, and the historic architecture in Belem, and the capital Lisbo is a short train ride away.
