Hotel Baia da Luz

Luz is a quiet, laid-back town and that atmosphere carries over to Baia da Luz. Even though the hotel was almost at full capacity during our visit, we barely heard a sound. Of course, in peak season this changes a bit, as the pools are filled with splashing kids, but all in all this is a reliably peaceful place for a getaway near the beach. Like its sister hotel, Estrela da Luz, the style is humble, but a bit more modern than much of the local competition. It has the atmosphere of a condo hotel, with buildings built into the neighborhood and no buzzing common areas. In fact, aside from the pool terrace and casual restaurant, there's not many places for anyone to socialize, keeping the vibe understated. Luckily, the lovely Luz boardwalk is only a five-minute walk away. Most guests here are independent-minded travelers wanting to be close to the sea for a week or two. Expect to see families and couples, though the proportions change throughout the year, with mostly mature travelers and retirees in the spring and fall.

While Luz isn't a party destination, this hotel's corner of town is particularly tranquil, as it's surrounded by other large-scale vacation rental complexes and other residences. Even so, it's only a short five-minute walk to the restaurants, bars, and tourist shops along the town's lively boardwalk. The beach is wide and sandy here, with plenty of sun loungers, umbrellas, and various beach and water toys to rent up and down the shoreline. It will take about 10 minutes to reach the historic sights on the other side of the beach, including the town's modest fort and the charming Igreja da Luz de Lagos. To explore the rest of the region, though, you'll need a car. It's a 15-minute drive into the charming center of Lagos, for lots of trendy cafes and pastry shops. Alternatively, it will take 30 minutes to drive to the comparably more natural Sagres. The closest airport is in Faro, which takes about an hour to reach by car. Otherwise, it's a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Lisbon and its airport.  

For travelers who need nothing more than space, clean interiors, and quiet, these apartments are a good fit. When it comes to style, they're simple, but more modern than much of what's on offer in Luz. Details are rendered in neutral tones, and include hardwood floors, taupe-upholstered seating, dark wood furniture, and just a few pieces of modern wall art. Some include jazzier pieces of art and retro-inspired seating, but otherwise the look is straightforward. All units have one to three bedrooms, making them a great option for families and groups. They also include sleek kitchens with ovens, stovetops, microwaves, electric kettles, and everything need to cook and eat. These come stocked with basics like milk and sugar upon arrival. Dining tables are standard, as are pull-out couches. Other features include air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are likewise fresh and modern, with mosaic tiling, shower/tub combos or stall showers, and a nice array of toiletries. There's also plenty of space to spread out on the roomy countertops. Keep in mind that a few of the rooms are a bit far from features like the pool and restaurant, as the hotel is built into the surrounding neighborhood.

There aren't too many features here, and unfortunately guests aren't allowed to utilize the missing extras -- like a spa and fitness center -- at the sister hotel, Estrela da Luz. Even so, most previous guests are pleased with what is available. Tennis courts and a playground are the extent of the activities, though the hotel does offer some light activity schedules in the summer's warmest months. Otherwise, occasional kids' camps do take place here. The pool is roomy and the terrace is attractive, with plenty of sun loungers -- a separate shallower pool is available for kids. While the beach is nearby, the hotel charges a fee to use beach towels, so bring your own to save some money. The humble restaurant rounds out the hotel's features. It serves Italian food for lunch and dinner and has a bar. Breakfast isn't served, and most guests eat that meal in their own apartments, often on the balconies. The property has lots of free parking and Wi-Fi is also free.