Casal Antigo, Cascais, Portugal

Located between the seaside resort of Cascais and the historic inland town of Sintra, the boutique hotel Casal Antigo is a compact bed and breakfast that appeals to those who like to make a personal connection with their hostess (owner Eduarda Cavaco, a former finance manager, speaks perfect English and personally tends to the excellent breakfasts).

The facilities

The name of boutique hotel ‘Casal Antigo’ (old farmhouse) is somewhat misleading in that the area around has become more residential, and the feel is more of being one in a cluster of villas than of a rural retreat. However, the core of the building is old, and the owners have painstakingly restored and added to it, providing six rooms for guests, plus a TV lounge and a little terrace with a narrow lap pool – and a distant view over the rooftops of the coast. While at the boutique hotel one can also enjoy the local hiking and biking trails, seaside activities (surfing, kite-surfing and windsurfing at nearby blustery Guincho) and exploring by car (essential).

The rooms

The six bedrooms are more sparingly furnished than the main house, but equally spic and span and thoughtfully kitted out, with antique beds, lots of hanging space and hairdryers. The boutique hotel offers an impressive family suite – a large double room with interconnecting twin room and direct access to the terrace. Bathrooms are smallish but well appointed with sparkling white tiles and towels. There are TVs (with cable) and DVD players in every room, with a good library of DVDs to borrow. Rooms have wifi, and there’s a computer available in the sitting room.

The décor in the communal areas of the boutique hotel could possibly be considered overdone, with tiled or wooden floors, tables that gleam like mirrors, linen table runners, and objects galore. However, I defer to the many return guests, and those who abhor the notion of ‘shabby chic’.