Review of Palácio Estoril Hotel

History: Portugal was neutral in WW2, but the country was a beehive of activity for spies from both Allied and Axis powers. Hotel Palacio Estoril was the primary Allied hotel, visited by some of the biggest spies during the war. A particular guest was a young Ian Fleming. Fleming drew upon his experiences cavorting with fellow spies at Palacio and the neighboring Casino Estoril, which culminated in his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale. The hotel even has a framed guest slip from Fleming’s stay. As a nod to Fleming, the Palacio was used as a filming location for the 1969 007 thriller, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. If your clients have an affinity for history or pop culture, this information may help sell the property.

Location: The hotel is in Estoril, which is a 30–35-minute drive west of Lisbon. Casino Estoril is next door, with a host of retail and restaurants nearby. Cascais joins Estoril to the west and is loaded with restaurants, bars, and a beach. It is only a five-minute walk to the train station for an easy journey to Cascais (2 stops), or to head into Lisbon (35 minutes). Sintra, known for its Portuguese palaces, is a popular day trip and is only a 20-minute drive from the hotel.

Front Desk/Concierge: As you enter the property, registration is on your right, and the concierge is on your left. The registration process was simple. Our room was not quite ready, so we left our bags with the concierge and headed into the bar. Although the hotel was hosting a wedding reception that evening, as well as a professional soccer team, the hotel areas did not seem cramped or busy.

Lobby/Shared Spaces: A few steps up from registration/concierge are the elevators. One flanks the left side. The other on the right. Just past the elevators are two long hallways, which are where conference rooms exist. The hallway walls are filled with photos of famous dignitaries, celebrities, and spies. Walking past the hallways is a common area with plenty of seating for guests to relax in.

Rooms: We stayed in the Classic room. The hotel provided a complimentary bottle of Port, and some pasteis de natas to snack on. They are egg-custard tarts, synonymous with Lisbon. It was spacious by European standards, with a rather large bathroom area. It came with basic amenities like a minibar, bathrobes, a safe, a hair dryer, plenty of hangers, extra pillows and an extra blanket. The bed was comfortable and easy to sleep in.

Bar: There is the main bar, and next to it is an indoor patio bar. I would recommend clients channel their inner spy and order a 007 Martini. It is tasty but packs a punch.

Amenities: As you venture outside, to the left is a large lawn, with manicured shrubs and trees which serves as the main wedding, reception and social function area. To the right, is the pool, with bar service available. The hotel also has the Banyan Tree Spa, offering a full complement of spa treatments and packages. We spent time at the indoor pool. This space contains a pool, jacuzzi and hammam, with hot and dry saunas and showers. The golf course is not on the property, but only a few minutes’ drive from the hotel.

Food: The breakfast buffet is a typical setup in many hotels. Ample supply of pastries, fruits, cooked eggs, meat, cereals, yogurts, with coffee and juices. There is an omelet station too. Lunch options are available in the main and patio bars. On the weekends, they serve a lunch buffet in the patio bar. For dinner, the Four Seasons Grill has an excellent menu. To note, the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and it is worth checking with the concierge to guarantee there is availability. The restaurant is popular with locals as well as guests of the hotel. There are so many food options nearby, your clients will have plenty of options. Of course, room service is available for those who want to dine in the room.

I highly recommend Palácio Estoril Hotel to my clients looking for a hotel that offers it all and is close to the beach, casino and restaurants in Estoril. We left feeling absolutely relaxed, well taken care of and happy.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Portugal. In need of further inspiration? Check out Clara Raposo’s guide, A Day in Cascais, Portugal.