The state rating system for "starry" hotels in Portugal includes the traditional division from one to five stars. However, the differences between the four- and five-star hotel are not always obvious to the layman: even such subtleties as the area of ​​the bathroom and other often purely technical features play a role. But for the comfort of living, many two- and three-star hotels are in no way inferior to more expensive hotels 4 * and 5 *.

Reviews of experts about hotels in Portugal

Portugal has a high-level hotel database. If to compare with the countries of Europe, then this level of Germany and Sweden - above all, is clean and comfortable.

Portugal is one of the oldest health resorts and health resorts in Europe. Cote d'Azur, Lisbon Riviera, Madeira are pioneers of modern sea resorts. Thanks to this in Portugal you can find hotels over 100 years old! These are palaces, such as, for example, Reid's Palace 5 * deluxe on the island of Madeira, Olissippo Lapa Palace 5 * in Lisbon or Palacio Estoril 5 * on the Lisbon Riviera. The walls of such palaces and hotels are decorated with original pictures of famous artists and photos of the powerful of this world, resting here.

Another feature, the local color, are converted into hotels former manors and monuments of the cultural architectural heritage of the country: Tivoli Palacio de Seteais 5 * in Sintra, Casa Velha do Palheiro 5 * on the island of Madeira, there are hundreds of them. Many of them are united in a network under the general name "Pausada", some restored using the most modern materials and technical achievements, modern classics: InterContinental Porto Palacio das Cardosas 5.

Fashionable and modern hotels are equally in demand. The hotel base is constantly updated and supplemented, new trendy modern resorts are appearing, old ones are being restored, renovated and reconstructed. For example, CS Madeira Atlantic Resort and Sea Spa 5 *, The Vine 5 * on about. Madeira, Aqua Pedra dos Bicos 4 *, Riu Palace Algarve 4 * in the Algarve, The Yeatman Hotel 5 * De Luxe in Porto, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon 5 * in Lisbon, Oitavos 5 * on the Lisbon Riviera. Their style is very diverse, but aesthetics and modern trends are felt everywhere.

If you talk about other features of Portuguese hotels, you need to remember the following:

• many hotels can not smoke
• if you relax in a spa hotel, then sign up for the procedures better in advance, and the better the hotel spa, the earlier.

Lisbon Riviera - a respectable beach holiday. Not far from Lisbon is another resort region on the Atlantic Ocean - the Portuguese Riviera - Estoril, Cascais, Carcavelos, Guinshu, Praia del Rey, Caparica, Sesimbra. For those who want to combine rest on the beach with an overview of the monuments of history and culture of Portugal, we advise you to choose this resort. Rest here is most comfortable from May to late October.

Feature: mainly along the beaches there is a road, behind it are hotels, municipal beaches, free. These resorts have a convenient connection with Lisbon by land transport, a wide choice of excursions in Russian calculated for different interests and age of tourists.

Family holidays - Cascais Miragem 5 *, Pestana Cascais 4 *, Hotel Riviera 4 *, youth holidays - Grande Real Villa Italia 5 *, Fortaleza do Guincho 5 *, Hotel Praia Mar 4 *, Sana Estoril 3 *, tourists "mature" - Palacio Estoril 5 *, Albatroz 5 *, Hotel Baia 3 *.

The Algarve region is a beach holiday. Algarve - a large resort area in the far south of the country on the Atlantic coast. Very popular resort and mild climate. Here even in the height of summer there is no exhausting heat. The water temperature in the ocean fluctuates during the year from 19 to 22 º C.

Feature: some resorts along the beaches stretch steep coastline, it has hotels and you need to go down to the beach. Beaches are municipal, free.

For families with children you can recommend: Sheraton Algarve 5 *, Vila Vita Parc De Luxe 5 *, Pestana Dom Joao II 4 *, for youth - Tivoli Marina Vilamoura 5 *, Pestana Alvor Praia 5 *, Pestana Delfim Beach & Golf Hotel 4 * , and for tourists of "mature age" - Algarve Casino 5 *, Grande Real Santa Eualia 5 *, Blue and Green Vilalara Thalassa Resort 5 *, Porto Bay Falesia 4 *.

Traveling around the countryside of Portugal, try to plan the trip in such a way as to stay in pousada (pousadas) - a historic hotel. As a rule, such hotels are located in ancient castles, monasteries and even palaces, which are also real historical monuments of the country. But, despite their historical value, they are quite comfortable, have a high level of service and repair and graduation in the hotel sphere is above average.

Private hotels in Portugal are called estalagens and are considered one of the most attractive accommodation options in terms of price and service provided. Many of them store traditional Portuguese features - in this case they are called típico and offer "from the inside" to get acquainted with the way of life, cuisine and the classic dwelling of local residents.

Residência is a private guesthouse, acting according to the Bed & Breakfast principle (room and breakfast).

Pensão is a cheap hotel. Cheap does not always mean bad, but luxury and additional services in hotels of this type will have to be forgotten: the official marking of pensão is one or two stars. But many of them are famous for their magnificent national cuisine.

Another option is solare. As a rule, these are the houses that once belonged to the Portuguese aristocracy, and now are being restored and converted into boarding houses. Many of them were built in the era of the Great Discoveries, when travelers returned from hikes from around the world rich and built for their families truly luxurious homes. Similar hotels are found throughout the country, but most often they can be found in Costa Verde, between Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo.