Hotel da Vila - Cascais, Portugal 

I really liked this place! It was well priced for where it was and even though we weren't on the beach, it was so close to everything and it was very pleasant! The staff were excellent, especially the girl on reception! She gave loads of advice and accommadated us with everything that we needed!! We were goin to stay in hotel baia, but when we saw the rooms and the 70's decor we couldn't justify the extra 40euros per night just for a room closer to the sea ( without a sea view i might add!! ) The hotel was clean and modern! The breakfast wasnt the best i had in portugal, but it was sufficent! Would go back!!

I recently joined my Partner for a weekend break in Cascais, she had been in Lisbon on business. Coincidentally it was my first time in Portugal. First impressions were that the airport was absolutely mobbed on Friday night and it took some time in getting a cab, subsequently found out that there is a bus that goes straight to Cascais that leaves directly outside the arrivals terminal for only Euros 8.5, the cab journey cost Euros 50! The hotel is new and very difficult to find as most cabbies do not seem to know the area very well. OK starting with the good points: 1. It's new and therefore pretty tidy 2. The staff are very helpful and try hard to make your stay a happy one. 3. The position is excellent, only a short walk to the beach or restaurants and shops. 4. They were really accommodating at letting us have a late check-out which was really helpful. Negatives 1. It's trying to be a boutique hotel but falls quite a way short. 2. Rooms are quite small and very soulless, I felt a bit like I was in a cell even though I do like minimalism these just felt bare. 3. There is no privacy unless you pull the blinds right down and because of their design you cannot have them half mast, therefore the room is either bright with everyone acroos teh road looking in or plunged into total blackness! 4. The bathroom does not have a range of shower gels etc... just shampoo, I know this is a small niggle but pretty important when you are staying at the beach. 5. The breakfast area is in reception and is pretty dark so not a nice experience, better to go out and sit in a nice cafe in the square. 6. Due to the construction of the rooms and the fact that there are no soft furnishings, noise travels quite a bit, so everyone on your floor will know when you go out or close a door... Other than that it was pretty good and I guess they will try and sort some of these issues out in the future.