Vila Galé Estoril ★★★★

Portugal’s charm comes in the form of languorous days on the beach, dining on sumptuously fresh seafood in alfresco restaurants and kicking back with a glass of port wine to watch the sunset over the Atlantic. This is what brings me and my sister back each year, and over the years we’ve managed to exhaust the list of Portuguese locations… from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Porto to the traditional rural villages inland. The Portugal experience can be many things, and we could never tire of exploring its endless treasures. Last year we fell in love with Lisbon, and vowed that we’d return as soon as possible. This time we were going for somewhere a bit quieter but with the vibrant capital within easy reaching distance. With its fine beaches and palm-fringed landscaped gardens, it’s easy to see why Estoril was once the favoured haunt of the rich and famous who came to frolic in its crystal-clear waters.

Just half an hour after touching down in Lisbon, we had arrived at our home for the next few days. Sitting proudly over the beautiful beach of Tamariz, Vila Galé Estoril is spread over eight floors, crowned with a roof terrace offering a swimming pool, a bar, sun loungers and great views of the glistening Atlantic. We were welcomed by the staff who showed us to our tastefully furnished and spacious Sea View Room, the perfect place to watch the sun setting over the mysterious Atlantic Ocean each evening. We had all the amenities you’d expect, including Wi-Fi, an LCD TV, a mini-bar, air-conditioning and a large private bathroom.

Given the privileged location between Cascais and Lisbon, there are innumerable activities on offer, just in case lying on the beach all day isn’t your cup of tea. After filling up on the plentiful breakfast each morning, we tried out windsurfing, boat trips, tennis and golf, or if we were feeling more cultured we’d head to a museum or a rural village to learn about Portugal’s fascinating history. We’re not usually big gamblers but with Europe’s largest casino located just a ten minute walk away; we couldn’t resist a couple of trips there too!

Our afternoons were spent making the most of the hotel’s facilities – being pampered in the spa with a relaxing massage or a soak in the Turkish bath, followed by a dip in the rooftop pool. Each day finished with a scrumptious meal in one of the hotel restaurants. My personal favourite was the recently renovated Inevitável, offering traditional Mediterranean flavours based on regional cuisine and Portuguese classics. Each meal was accompanied by fine wine, faultless service, a modern and sophisticated décor and a truly welcoming ambience. As we watched the sun setting on our final evening - a sight we could never tire of - we drank a toast to the wonderful hospitality we’d received at Vila Galé Estoril, and vowed to come back as soon as possible. Going to the same place twice is usually something we prefer to avoid, but for this gem we’d have to make a special exception. Muito obrigado Portugal!