Farol Hotel

The Mix restaurant and Bar on The Rocks work beautifully together. Afternoon tea is served between the two spaces, and in the evening the bar complements the restaurant's good sushi and signature dishes. The bar also has a wide selection of classics and signature cocktails. We had an excellent stay, thanks to everyone who made us feel so welcome. Farol Hotel sits on the cliffs of Cascais, with the Atlantic right below it, and offers a small escape from Lisbon's bustle, just over 30 metres away outside rush hour. This cosmopolitan village's charm comes through in the hotel, where a restored 19th-century mansion once owned by the Count of Cabral is paired with designer furniture and contemporary art. It's a distinctive blend of old and new, and part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. The spacious, modern rooms come in four types: garden view, sea view, superior, and junior suites. The hotel has been around for a few years, so I think the bathrooms could use modernization. Comfort is clear in the details, and especially in the hospitality.

The saltwater pool has a fun atmosphere, with a poolside bar and music when the weather's good. It's a 10-minute walk into town and just two minutes from Cascias Marina. Take a Bird scooter along the promenade and stop at the hot dog stand. It reminds me of Hotel du Cap in Antibes, for a fraction of the price. Farol Hotel is a fantastic little boutique hotel, with only about 30-40 rooms. It's around 30 minutes from Lisbon, and our Uber cost €25. Each room is unique and terrific, and most have an ocean view. We liked leaving the window open at night to listen to the waves. The staff were wonderful, and so was the buffet breakfast.

Maria, our wedding planner, guided us through every decision and made planning as stress-free as possible. The whole day at the stunning Farol Hotel went flawlessly, from start to finish. The venue exceeded our expectations: the ceremony overlooked the sea, and both that space and the private reception area were beautifully decorated. The catering team deserve a special mention. The food was spectacular, from the cocktail-hour canapés to the main meal. Guests gave us so many compliments, and everything was served efficiently and with a smile. We're so grateful to the planner, hotel staff, and photographer for giving us the perfect day.

The cocktails were very tasty, and so was lunch. Breakfast was extensive and worthy of five stars. It's a shame we couldn't fully enjoy this charming hotel. A few months ago we paid €650 for one night in a deluxe sea-view room. For that price, it was very basic and overpriced. You could only see the sea in the distance over the restaurant's rusty roof. I was surprised to find that rooms were being offered at half price that day, and told reception about my experience and disappointment. They offered us a suite, but we declined. The experience should start feeling good from the moment you arrive. We were also told the cocktail bar is closed in high season, and cocktails are available at the outdoor bar :-) ?! It could be worthy of a five-star rating.