Portugal: The Out Of Office Collection

The island archipelago of Madeira is famed for its wine: Madeira wines, natch. It’s one of the most popular island destinations on earth. The islands were claimed by Portugal during the Age of Exploration. Our favourite luxury hotel in Madeira is Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel.

It’s perched on a hilltop overlooking Funchal. You’ll have direct views of the Atlantic from your private balcony. Notable guests at the hotel have included Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw. Michelin-starred William is located within the ground of the hotel. This is a very upmarket destination by any standard.

Reid’s Palace has been going for over a century and it remains a gold standard among luxury hotels. The rooms retain a charming, old-fashioned elegance. It’s sort of like stepping back in time to a more glamorous time, if there ever was such a thing.

Late Birds is Lisbon’s very own hotel for gay men. It’s Lisbon’s first gay hotel and it’s well worth checking out. Late Birds is located in the ever-popular Barrio Alto district. It’s a small, intimate hotel and the setting is ideal if you’d like to explore Lisbon’s nightlife. You can even combine a more upbeat stay here in Lisbon with a luxury retreat in Medeira or Porto.

It’s worth staying in a suite here. The building dates back to the 18th-century and it’s been fully renovated. It’s located on a quiet street in a buzzing area. You’ll find many bars and restaurants to explore on your doorstep.

You can have a cocktail at the bar in the evening. Clearly, this hotel is geared exclusively towards gay men and it presents many interesting social opportunities.

The hotel is a wine lover’s paradise: the pool is shaped like a decanter. The Yeatman has a vast wine cellar and even grape-inspired treatments at the spa. In terms of location, The Yeatman is unbeatable. You’ll have one of the best views in Portugal. It’s just a short walk over the bridge to Porto’s charming Old Town.

Be sure to take a tour of the hotel’s famous cellar and make the most of its 24-hour bar. The decor is chic: about as stylish as stylish can be. The rooms have a classic elegance.

The on-site dining options are as good as you’d expect. As you’re in the natural home of port you can sample your aperitifs from over a thousand bottles. The Yeatman is hard to beat if you’re looking for luxury in Portugal.

The Algarve is geared towards tourism. Its long stretch of Atlantic beaches  and flawless climate makes for an ideal destination. You can explore white villages, hike in the countryside, relax on the beaches and explore the Algarve’s nightlife scene. If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in the Algarve we’d suggest Conrad Algarve. It’s a big 5-star resort with all the amenities you’ll need. Conrad Algarve is inspired by an 18th-century palace.

There are 154 rooms and two outdoor pools. All of the rooms are big and come with balconies. Some of the suites are very grand. The bathrooms come with state of the art amenities. Conrad Algarve is a great choice if you prefer larger resorts over boutique hotels.

Torel Palace is ideal if you’re looking for an upscale boutique hotel in the centre of Lisbon. It’s a combination of two Pombaline properties and it has just 28 rooms. The pool overlooks Lisbon via  a terrace and it’s quite a sight to behold. You’ll be overlooking the red roofs and pastel-coloured buildings. All of the rooms have unique furnishings and pay homage to different Portuguese monarchs.

The design is modern and it retains a classic Portuguese feel. The on-site dining options are excellent and are firmly rooted in Portuguese culinary traditions. As you’re in the centre of Lisbon you’ll have endless opportunities to wine and dine without travelling far.