Name: Artsy Cascais
Address: Av. Dom Carlos I 246, Estremadura, Cascais, Portugal, 2750-310, Portugal
Telephone: +351 210 132 390
Price range: From $223

Hotel review

The moment you step through the ornate doors, Artsy Cascais announces itself with a signature scent - orange, basil, black pepper and burnt cedar - created exclusively by Lourenço Lucena, the only Portuguese member of the French Society of Perfumers.

The building is split between a 19th-century townhouse with original carved staircases and a striking contemporary façade by Vhils (Portugal's answer to Banksy). In the modern wing, natural light filters through the engraved concrete exterior, meaning you wake up inside a work of art - and if you’re feeling inspired, a morning sketching Cascais with a local watercolour artist can be arranged. In the original townhouse, high ceilings and large windows flood spacious rooms and suites with light. All 17 rooms come with eco-friendly Oliófora bathroom products.

The small, heated rooftop saltwater pool is glitzy, with pumping music, a handful of loungers and an honesty bar. Art Restaurant serves local seafood: oysters, razor clams, and Carabineros prawns; breakfast is artfully plated, though portions lean towards small and refined. The ground-floor lounge bar operates on an honesty policy after hours, and books on the shelves could keep travel and design mavens busy for weeks.

The location dazzles. The medieval Citadel is directly opposite, and Cascais' urbane waterfront is a short stroll. Wine bars, galleries and bookshops are a beachball’s throw over the road. Sintra is a bus ride away; Lisbon, forty minutes by train. Chic.

Recommended for

Artworks
- Immerse yourself in a living masterpiece, with art-filled rooms, a striking Vhils façade, & in-room mini art kits for creativity
City Style
- Enjoy chic interiors, rooftop pool views of the Citadel, & seafood delights in the art-inspired restaurant for a refined escape
Local exploring
- Bask on Praia da Rainha’s golden sands, once favoured by Portuguese royalty, and soak up the serene coastal charm of Cascais
Sights nearby
- Explore the Cidadela Art District, where playful sculptures & murals transform historic courtyards into an open-air gallery
Surfing
- Catch a wave at Praia do Guincho, a surfer’s paradise framed by dramatic dunes and featured in a classic James Bond film
Other Activities
- Discover oversized street art in the Torre neighbourhood, including Add Fuel’s azulejo-tiled tribute to a local fishwife
Hotel Entertainment
- Relax on the rooftop saltwater pool, where plush day-beds and sweeping views of Cascais Citadel create the perfect escape
Restaurant
- Dine in a unique space with an open kitchen
Rooms with balcony/terrace
- Some rooms offer a terrace
Full of character
Roof terrace
Family Suites
Gourmet
Views
Romantic
Air conditioning
Contemporary
Wellbeing
Disabled access
Quirky
Pet friendly
Chic

Other reviews

Artsy Cascais

In sunny Cascais, an impressively refurbished 19th-century palace has been given a new lease of life by the addition of a neighbouring contemporary building

Originally published by The Telegraph