The Places To Stay For The Ultimate Trip To Portugal
Created in partnership with Octant Hotels
Octant Hotels aim to showcase the best of Portuguese hospitality and the country’s varied regions, cultures and landscapes. Menus at each of its hotels feature local delicacies as well as regional wine varieties from hero producers. Likewise, each hotel’s design is sympathetic to the landscape and its cultural heritage, whether it’s by the Atlantic coast, on a volcanic island or up in the mountains.
Across the portfolio, hands-on experiences show guests the best of what’s on each hotel’s doorstep. Think a pottery session with an artisan, olive oil tasting with a top producer or a cooking class – each activity gives guests the chance to live like a local.
Like What You Hear? Here’s What To Know About Each Of Octant’s Eight Properties…
BEST FOR A LUXE WEEKEND:
Octant Vila Monte
Between uplands and the ocean, this is a true Mediterranean hotel. Evoking the feel of a farmhouse, the property takes its inspiration from the nearby villages to create a blend of traditional and contemporary rooms and a collection of suites that mix the ambience of the Algarve with local crafts. For groups of friends, we like the look of the private Villa Indigo, which comes with three suites. In summer, the outdoor pool offers the ideal spot for a refreshing dip; in winter, there’s an adults-only heated pool.
Moncarapacho, Algarve, Portugal
BEST FOR FAMILIES:
Octant Praia Verde
Surrounded by a leafy pine grove overlooking the sea, Octant Praia Verde celebrates unhurried days in natural surroundings – all within a walk from the beach. The rooms have been designed with couples and families in mind, and the restaurant is inspired by the Mediterranean’s most rustic flavours. The outdoor pool and bar are surrounded by walks, workshops and golf courses. There are also two dedicated spaces for youngsters, plus activities designed for the whole family – from golf and safaris to tree-top adventures and riding lessons.
Praia Verde, Algarve, Portugal
BEST FOR HOT SPRINGS & SPA DAYS:
Octant Furnas
Located at the site with the highest concentration of hot springs in Europe, Octant Furnas’s contemporary architecture blends with the natural beauty of the Quenturas, a beautiful park in the Azores. Taking advantage of the thermal waters, the hotel’s heated indoor and outdoor pools are open all hours and there are ten spa treatment rooms to add to the relaxation – ideal after a day exploring the surrounding routes and trails.
Furnas, São Miguel, Azores
Visit Furnas.OctantHotels.com
BEST FOR FOODIES:
Octant Santiago
On the Portuguese mainland’s Alentejo coast, you’ll find Octant Santiago. Here, there’s a real focus on food, which is why a session at its Kitchen Academy is a highlight. Head chef Luís Batalha and his team can teach everything from the art of bread-making to masterclasses on traditional sweets and desserts, and cooking the region’s famous migas de pão. Elsewhere, guests can visit beaches and nearby waterfalls, go for horse-back outings in the uplands or head out on a wine or gastronomy tour.
Santiago do Cacém, Alentejo
BEST FOR A TRADITIONAL ESCAPE:
Octant Évora
Surrounding this farmhouse-style hotel, an estate sprawls across almost 30 acres, punctuated by natural beauty between footpaths, walkways and meadows that stretch all the way to the stream at the Monte Novo Dam. Octant Évora’s contemporary architecture works well with these natural surroundings, while its interiors reflect traditional Portuguese aspects, such as wood in rustic tones, and the blues and whites so typical of the Alentejo. All bedrooms come with an open-air living area and the private villas each have a private balcony, terrace and pool.
Évora, Alentejo
Visit Evora.OctantHotels.com
BEST FOR WINE TASTINGS:
Octant Douro
On the banks of Castelo de Paiva – a town on the Douro river – this hotel is built up in the hills and comes with striking views. The modern décor of the rooms, suites and shared interiors complements the classic northern Portuguese views over the river and Ilha dos Amores (Lovers’ Island). We like the look of the new suite, which comes with its own private pool. Make sure to visit the iconic Paiva Walkways – a Unesco World Heritage site – or go for a refreshing dip at one of the nearby river beaches. We also love the look of the spa and panoramic outdoor swimming pool. In this region, wine tasting is a must.
Castelo de Paiva, Douro, Portugal
Visit Douro.OctantHotels.com
BEST FOR ADVENTURERS:
Octant Lousã
You’ll find the Palace of Lousã in the town’s historic centre. A striking 18th-century building that once served as the home of the Viscountess of Espinhal, it is now a beautiful hotel with 40 rooms and six suites. In the middle of a leafy mountain range, this property is a must for adventurers – there are rivers and waterfalls, wild boar and deer to see, and plenty of activities to get involved with, such as biking and hiking. There’s also a spa and pool to relax in after all that fresh air.
Lousã, Portugal
Visit Lousa.OctantHotels.com
BEST FOR GETTING OUT IN NATURE
Octant Ponta Delgada
At Octant Ponta Delgada, the natural beauty of the volcanic archipelago of Azores combines with the island’s thriving city centre. All 123 bedrooms and suites overlook the sea, and guests get a further sense of place at À Terra, a restaurant with excellent views. One of the highlights is the striking spa and gym, which are both open round the clock and feature a panoramic outdoor pool. The beauty of the hotel is its access to nature: guests can paddle across lagoons, go canyoning to discover waterfalls and hot springs, and there are also opportunities to watch whales and dolphins.
Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores
Nightly rates at an Octant hotel start from £250 on a B&B basis, although prices vary from hotel to hotel. For more information, visit OctantHotels.com and follow the group at @Octant.Hotels
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