Hotel Nova Sintra

Hotel Nova Sintra is a family-owned property set in a pretty, pale-yellow former residence that dates to 1875. The owner greets guests with a glass of ginjinha liqueur at check-in at the small reception area, situated next to the eclectic contemporary lobby with a colorful rug, art, and an antique radio. Behind the building, there's a patio dotted with planters and white cafe tables, where breakfast is served in fine weather. The atmosphere at this intimate hotel is warm and friendly, and the romantic setting attracts mostly older couples. 

Hotel Nova Sintra is on the outskirts of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, about a three-minute walk from the train station. It's roughly 15 minutes on foot to the center of town, where there's the Natural History Museum, NewsMuseum, and the National Palace of Sintra. 

The MU.SA museum of Portuguese art and photography is a 10-minute stroll from the hotel. Quinta da Regaleira palace is a 10-minute drive, the vivid yellow-and-pink Pena Palace is 15 minutes by car, and it's a 20-minute drive to the hilltop 8th-century Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors). Guests can also walk to Sintra Station and catch a Number 434 bus, which makes a circuit tour to several attractions. 

Central Lisbon is a 25-minute drive from the hotel, or 45 minutes by train from Sintra Station to Rossio Station (with one train transfer at Oriente Station). Lisbon Portela Station is about a 25-minute drive from the hotel, or about an hour by train and then airport bus from Oriente. 

Guest rooms at Hotel Nova Sintra have a simple but pleasant modern look, with a neutral palette and colorful touches. Decor varies from room to room, but expect accents like headboards in bright red hues, aqua throw pillows on beds, and tables trimmed in soft tones of peach or green. Some feature wall tapestries, or headboards that resemble Portuguese blue azulejo tile, and have mountain views and balconies or terraces. All units come with free bottled water upon arrival, flat-screen TVs, (some are old tube-style models), but there are no kettles. Bathrooms are basic but tidy, and come with showers and hairdryers, but the shower stalls tend to be quite tiny. Some bathrooms have limited counter space around the sink. Units range from 172 square feet (16 square meters) to 280 square feet (26 square meters), so some are a bit small.  

Hotel Nova Sintra offers a high-quality free breakfast buffet, featuring eggs, sausages, and a wide array of cold items, which is served on the garden terrace in warm weather. The hotel also has a restaurant featuring Portuguese cuisine for lunch and dinner, with dishes like codfish, stuffed veal, and Portuguese jugged chicken. Free coffee, tea, and juice are served in the lobby all day. The hotel also has a lobby living room with a TV and magazines, a 24-hour front desk with tourist assistance, and free Wi-Fi throughout. There is no on-site parking, and paid or street parking in the vicinity of the hotel is sometimes difficult to find. Travelers with limited mobility should be aware that the hotel doesn't have an elevator.