Villa Bela Vista

Alexandra made our son’s birthday especially memorable. She had a brownie ready with a candle and a lovely balloon, and he adored it so much he wanted to take it to the airport. She was quick to respond on Whatsapp, stayed up late to wait for our check-in, and helped with special requests, including getting food at night. It really felt like they wanted us there and cared about making our stay special. Villa Bela Vista is right in the heart of Sintra, with shops and restaurants within walking distance. The bedroom views, especially after dark, were amazing, stretching across town to the main sights. It was also wonderfully quiet. The hotel was spotless and tidy, which mattered to me as someone who’s picky about cleanliness. Our bathroom looked newly renovated, with marble from ceiling to floor, and felt like a royal bathroom. We also appreciated the hardwood floors instead of carpet because of allergies and cleanliness. Breakfast was simple and delicious, especially the fresh-squeezed orange juice. I can’t recommend the hotel enough.

We wished we’d booked more than two nights at Villa Bela Vista. It was the first stop on our Portugal trip, and we were genuinely sad to leave. Everyone was kind, welcoming, and helpful, and our room was immaculate. The hotel is just around the corner from the historic centre and near several of the larger palaces and sights. We loved the views, and breakfast was probably my favourite part. Each morning there was fresh orange juice, bread and croissants, cold cuts, cheese, coffee and espresso, fruit, fresh pastries like pastel de nata and apple cake, cereal, and yogurt. It set us up nicely for sightseeing and hiking Sintra’s hills.

The shared balcony was a lovely place to relax, with comfortable furniture and an amazing view over Sintra. Our room was gorgeous, spotless, and practical, with a well-equipped kitchenette that had a microwave, kettle, toaster, Nespresso coffee machine, and more. Breakfast was adequate: fresh orange juice, bread baskets, coffee, cheese, cold cuts, yogurt, fruit, and cakes. We were worried about parking before we arrived, but got one of the two spaces. I’m not sure what we’d have done otherwise, so contact the property before driving to Sintra.

We loved the room and especially the big terrace, where we could sip wine and enjoy the beautiful Sintra views. Breakfast was a little confusing. We weren’t sure what came with the small buffet, since we were only asked about eggs. It didn’t take away from a stay we thoroughly enjoyed.