Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel & Spa

Grande Real Villa Hotel & Spa sits near cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, on the former residence of King Humberto II of Italy. Classic buildings painted in terra cotta and Tuscan yellow surround saltwater pools and terraces throughout the property, which also boasts great views of the sunset from numerous points. Inside, the hotel is lovely, with a grand, marble lobby sleekly stylized in dark earth tones. The hotel largely attracts couples, but plenty of families, as well as business travelers, stay here as well in order to take advantage of the children's playroom and the multiple meeting rooms.

Grande Real is located on a quiet area in the seaside town of Cascais. Coastal cliffs surround the area, with the well-known Boca do Inferno chasm nearby, and the beautiful beach is less than 700 feet away. The town has a variety of restaurants -- like Hemingway Cascais (located at the marina) and O Pescador -- with outdoor seating and ocean views. The capital city of Lisbon is a 30-minute drive away, as is the airport.

Rooms are beautiful, with blue marble floors and plenty of natural light. The decor is fresh, with tasteful photography, stylized lamps, and a well-coordinated palette of colors. All rooms have flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and some spaces are outfitted with ocean-view balconies. There are three penthouse suites available, and one has its own small pool on a terrace overlooking the Atlantic. Bathrooms have pedestal sinks and Castelbel bath products. Keep in mind there are no coffee machines or iron/ironing boards in the rooms, but all come with free Wi-Fi.

Grande Real has two outdoor saltwater pools and a big indoor pool located in the exquisitely detailed spa, which offers treatments like full body exfoliations and Lomi Lomi massage. The hotel also has boutique shops as well as a hair salon, with services available for a fee. A small kids' club has computers and toys, and the hotel provides babysitting services for a fee as well.

One of the two on-site restaurants serves Mediterranean tapas, while a terrace bar serves cocktails and grilled meats and fish in the summer. The hotel also has numerous meeting rooms as well as a fitness center with several cardio machines. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property’s public areas and rooms.