Review: Martinhal Lisbon Cascais Family Hotel

 

I’m sitting in the garden of our villa, sipping the cappuccino I just made. It’s still piping hot, which is amazing because for the past 14 years my coffee is usually cold by the time I get to it. The girls are keeping themselves busy reading the hotel’s daily activity list – and deciding what to do next. The sun hits my face and I relax. 

This is exactly what Chitra Stern had in mind when she and her husband Roman created the concept of Martinhal Resorts, a collection of 4 luxury properties in awesome locations in Portugal (think sunny Algarve and the trendiest area of Lisbon). When the whole family is content, the holiday works that much better! We’re here at Martinhal Lisbon Cascais Family Hotel on a press trip to find out why they are so special.

Martinhal combines luxury and family in a seamless way I’ve not seen executed so well before. Well designed spaces team with good art and designer elements to make comfortable and safe places for kids to roam and have fun. Plus, like Portugal, it’s very colourful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And it’s not all just for kids. Martinhal want parents to relax a bit too, with some quality time together. One of the best parts of Martinhal is their signature kids club (included in your stay). If you’d like to explore a bit on your own, just sign them in. There are activities for teens too, like Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Surfing!

We’re here from a little R&R and the Finisterra Spa is a great place to do this. My girls (nearly all teens) were impressed that they were allowed in the Spa – most hotels we’ve been to have a strict age restriction. They were allowed to come in (with an adult) and enjoy the gorgeous indoor pool, jacuzzi and sensation showers.

 

 

My 15-year-old’s perspective

One of my highlights at Martinhal was being able to use the spa! Most of the other hotels we have been to we have always been too young. But at Martinhal we were able to swim and use the pool and all the facilities, including the different experience showers! We loved it!

 

 

Sitting by the pool I gaze out at the pine trees shaped by the wind and it reminds me of my home state, California. We’re all amazed at how much this part of the world reminds us of California. Sunshine, sandy beaches and surfers all come together in a high-end, bohemian sort of way.

Cascais is indeed in an upscale area. Martinhal Lisbon Cascais Family Hotel is set amongst golf courses and expensive villas. As I walk around, I think of Carmel, California. Unlike Carmel though, it’s on 30 minutes to Lisbon. We split our stay between Martinhal’s Cascais and their new Chiado Family Suites, right in the heart of Lisbon’s old town.

 

 

 

Right, so more about the resort. There are 84-rooms, so lots of choice including suites, villas or just a regular room (which is more spacious than most hotel rooms). There are 3 restaurants, the spa I just told you about, and the huge kids club in the centre of the resort.

We stayed in a 2-bedroom villa. Come with me on a video tour as I explore it for the first time.

 

 

My 14-year-old’s perspective

I loved the food at Martinhal. The main restaurants was spacious and airy and was very bright in the morning sunshine. For breakfast there was a buffet which included everything from fresh fruit to pancakes and yoghurts and cereals with healthy toppings. You could also order an omelette or patches eggs. I liked that they had a wide selection of herbals teas. But best of all were the custard tarts – which were served hot just out of the oven!

For dinner there’s a kids buffet (for inpatient children) or you could order off a menu. There’s a play area in the corner for little kids which I would have loved when I was that age – parents are so boring! This time I ordered from the menu and had traditional grilled chicken (yum).

 

 

 

 

There’s a huge kid’s club complex, which has playgrounds with a trampoline, ziplines etc and a covered heated pool! The downstairs of the floor-to-ceiling windowed building has a traditional kid’s club, where you can sign up kids ages up to 12 years old. There’s an inviting area for cooking lessons that my girls eye! The upstairs has a lounge area, where parents could sip a glass of wine and watch their little ones enjoy the area (it’s all gated) and it also has the MBar, another restaurant option. It’s all open plan so you can quickly spot your children if they are there.

 

My 12-year-old’s perspective

My sister’s and I had a lot of fun in the playground in the kids club area. I especially enjoyed the trampoline as it was super bouncy and it’s one of my favourite things to do at home. There was also a unique apparatus, shaped like a giant bunny, which was fun to climb on. There was lots to keep us busy – basketball, football, table tennis. We didn’t want to go home!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Things for families with teens to do in Cascais:

1. Ride bike rides! There are lots of places to explore, such as Guincho to watch the surfers or Cascais. Martinhal has a nice bike rental facility right at reception and they organise tours suitable for families. Or just rent one for a few hours and explore.
2. Go to the beach. Guincho is 4 kilometres so is a drive or bike ride away. There’s a good café behind called Bar do Guincho at the northern end.
3. Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding. In Cascais there’s a stand at the beach near the train station.
4. Visit Sintra! Go to Palacio do Pena or the Quinta de la Regalaria – both are great and ½ to full day excursions. Sintra  is the main cultural spot outside Lisbon. 
5. Go to Sintra Cascais Natural Park. A longtime royal sanctuary, its forested terrain is studded with pastel-coloured villas and palaces. The Moorish- and Manueline-style Sintra National Palace is distinguished by dramatic twin chimneys and elaborate tilework. The hilltop 19th-century Pena National Palace is known for a whimsical design and sweeping views.

 

 

My 12-year-old’s perspective

Bike riding is one of the fantastic activities that Martinhal has to offer. We rented bikes for a family trip and explored the coast. There were different trails to follow but we decided to go to Guincho beach and watch the surfers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Places for families to eat in Cascais

1. Martinhal Lisbon Cascais Family Hotel, of course! There are 3 restaurants.
2. The Tasting Room in Cascais for wine and tapas! When we went there was a special … 3 premium wine tastings for 10 Euros. Staff very knowledgable. Authentic tapas – we tried the cod fish cakes, Chorizo cooked at your table, gambas with garlic, chicken strips.
   Off the resort there are several Restaurants not far from Martinhal
3. Restaurante Furnas do Guincho. It’s on the coast and on the expensive side, but what views!
4. The Casa da Guia. Various restaurants, again you can walk there from Martinhal.
5. Entraguas. Slightly further away, but again walkable from Martinhal.
6. And don’t miss the hot dog stand with the best view in Europe (opposite Entraquas).

 

IF YOU GO:

Martinhal Lisbon Cascais Family Resort Hotel R. do Clube 2, 2750-002 Cascais, Portugal +351 218 507 788 https://www.martinhal.com/cascais/en/

Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites Rua das Flores 44, 1200-195 Lisboa, Portugal +351 218 507 788 https://www.martinhal.com/chiado/en/

 

 

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