Pestana Vintage Porto

Porto, Spain

Sitting overlooking the Douro River, the Pestana Vintage Porto offers a very comfortable stay in Porto’s vibrant Ribeira district. Throughout the hotel there’s an emphasis on photography and art. Black-and-white photographs line the halls, and contemporary wallpaper and paintings hang in public areas.

The hotel’s 109 rooms are spread across 12 small buildings, linked by glass-walled bridges that give views of the river. Inside the rooms, you’ll find soft, white linens on the beds and photo collage wallpaper or plaid-patterned maps of the Douro on the walls. All the rooms come with free Wi-Fi and air conditioning, as well as tea- and coffee-making facilities.

The ground floor houses the hotel’s excellent dining options. The restaurant RIB BEEF & WINE, led by chef Rui Martins, who was named Best National Chef in 2016, and is a haven for meat lovers. It also features a sunken cocktail bar with a patio opening onto the waterfront, where you can enjoy a drink with a view.

Number of nights: 3

Memmo Príncipe Real

Lisbon, Spain

Perched in dramatic fashion on a hillside in Lisbon’s Príncipe Real district, the Memmo Príncipe Real offers sweeping panoramic views. The hotel itself is an architectural gem of clean, modernist lines, plate-glass windows, and sharp corners and is a striking sight after arriving through a small tunnel from the street. To the front, there is a large terrace bar and swimming pool positioned to make the most of the precipitous views. Inside, the lobby and ground floor restaurant also make the most of the vista with floor-to-ceiling windows and a range of comfortable seating.

Each room is elegantly refined and furnished with great attention to detail. Wooden floors are covered with thick rugs, the linen bedding is topped with opulent faux fur throws, and the sleek, design-style furniture is offset by top-of-the-range products including Bang & Olufsen televisions and Hermès toiletries. On arrival, you’ll even find the ingredients to mix your own signature cocktail.

The hotel also offers plenty of substance to back up its finely crafted style. The staff here will go out of their way to make you feel welcome and there is a complimentary walking tour each evening.

Number of nights: 3

M’AR de AR Aqueduto

Évora & the Alentejo, Spain

Located in a beautifully converted 16th-century palace, just inside Évora’s historic walls and with views of the city’s dramatic aqueduct, the M’AR de AR Aqueduto is a sophisticated, contemporary hotel. Inside, the property is an elegant fusion of the modern and the historic. Grand vaulted ceilings and original stone staircases give way to chic new additions including a generous outdoor pool and garden area overlooked by huge windows and a stylish bar, all with views of the aqueduct.

The hotel's 64 rooms are furnished in a comfortable, modern style with neutral tones, clean lines, and hardwood floors.

For those wishing to dine at the hotel, there is a small bistro offering lighter dishes and an excellent wine list as well as the larger main restaurant, Degust'AR. Overseen by Chef António Nobre, the tasting menu here is very reasonably priced and well worth sampling.

In the basement of the hotel, you’ll find the Spa Aqueduto complete with a large relaxation space, five treatment rooms, a sauna, and a Turkish bath.

Number of nights: 2