Darlene has been coming to Portugal for over a decade. All her trips are always to the same place... Hotel Baia in Cascais, 30 minutes outside of Lisbon. Two years ago, I joined her for my first trip to the hotel, and I know why she keeps returning. For one, the family that owns the hotel, Antonio Soares, and Darlene have know each other for 21 years. The rest is location, location, location. And then there is the staff who have been here for a long, long time.
The views from the rooms overlooking the bay with fishing boats bobbing at their moorings, birds diving from overhead for any offerings from the boats, and the marina with its masts on the edge of the fort. This has been an idyllic location, a combination of the old and the new. The hotel sits with an unobstructed view of the water, its palm trees swaying in the gentle winter breeze, the blue skies kissing the white sandy beach.
Hotel Baia has a tour guide rating of a three star location, but since it has recently been re-furbished and is most inviting, deserves a four star rating. The food in the hotel restaurant is fantastic. Most of the wait staff, the check in desk and the barman have known Darlene for all the years she has been coming. Some things like the professionalism of the staff and the view never changes.
If you want a relaxing, restful or romantic getaway, come to the hotel Baia. Your life will dramatically improve for the laid-back atmosphere is all inspiring.
