These are the 55 best hotels in Portugal, according to the Michelin Guide

The first selection of the best hotels in Portugal by the Michelin Guide awarded one to three keys to 55 properties across the country. In total, two hotels received the maximum distinction of three Michelin keys. Another 13 won two keys and 40 received one key.

The key system is similar to the stars awarded to restaurants, but with different evaluation criteria. The five criteria are:

The hotel must be an open door to the destination;
The hotel must have excellence in interior design and architecture;
The hotel must maintain quality and consistency in service, comfort and maintenance;
The hotel must have coherence between the level of experience and the price paid;
The hotel must have uniqueness, personality and authenticity.

The inaugural selection of Michelin keys in Portugal highlighted properties ranging from the capital Lisbon to hotels on Madeira Island. There are hotels from international chains, palaces and boutique hotels, which are distributed in urban centers, next to beaches and even in wine and rural areas .

The key categories reveal different aspects and sensations in the hotels. They are divided as follows, according to the guide:

1 Michelin key : indicates a very special stay. It is a jewel, with its own character and personality;
2 Michelin keys : indicate an exceptional stay. It is a place worth a detour, where a memorable experience is guaranteed;
3 Michelin keys : this is the highest distinction, indicating a unique stay, with unparalleled comfort and hospitality. It places the hotel among the most notable and extraordinary in the world.

Highlights with three keys in Portugal

Of the 55 hotels on the list, two received the maximum distinction of three keys. One is in the Algarve , while another is in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, in the Lisbon metropolitan area.

The first is Vila Vita Parc , in the village of Porches. There are 203 rooms, suites and apartments and six private villas – all accommodations have balconies and the villas have private pools.

The hotel is spread across 50 acres of gardens, set on the edge of cliffs on a secluded beach. Amenities include a golf course, signature spa, beach club, six bars and ten restaurants, including the two-Michelin-starred Ocean , led by chef Hans Neuner.

The other property with three keys is located in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. It is Le Penha Longa Resort , part of the Ritz-Carlton collection, which was once the residence of the Portuguese royal family.

The complex has 204 rooms, all with views of the surrounding mountains. There are seven restaurants here, two of which hold a Michelin star each: LAB by Sergi Arola , which offers tasting menus; and Midori , which combines Japanese cuisine with Portuguese flavors. The property also has a golf course, a former monastery and a 14th-century chapel.

Other highlights in Portugal

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A total of 13 hotels received two Michelin keys in the country's inaugural selection. They are spread across emblematic regions: in addition to the capital and Porto , there are addresses on Madeira Island, the Douro, the Alentejo and the Algarve, for example.

Among the names is the Six Senses Douro Valley , in the Douro, a region known for its terraces that border the river, one of the symbols of Portuguese viticulture. With more than 70 accommodations, the hotel has panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Set in an old farmhouse , the focus is on well-being, one of the brand's DNA.

Another highlight is Vermelho Melides , in Alentejo Litoral. The accommodation is quite intimate, with only 13 rooms, and combines Spanish and traditional Alentejo designs. The designer behind the project is Christian Louboutin .

On Madeira Island, one of the selected hotels with two keys is The Reserve , in Funchal. It is located inside the Savoy Palace hotel – which has one key – and has 40 accommodations, including 14 suites with private pools. Transfers offered by the hotel can be made on board a Rolls-Royce .

Check out the hotels with two Michelin keys in Portugal:

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz (Lisbon)
Vila Joya (Albufeira, Algarve)
Bela Vista Hotel & Spa (Portimao, Algarve)
Les Suites at The Cliff Bay-Portobay (Funchal, Madeira Island)
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel (Funchal, Madeira Island)
The Reserve Hotel (Funchal, Madeira Island)
Six Senses Douro Valley (Lamego, Douro)
Paral Farm (Vidigueira)
Melides Red (Melides, Alentejo)
Torre de Palma Wine Hotel (Monforte, Alentejo)
Vidago Palace (Vidago)
The Lince Santa Clara (Vila do Conde)
Vinha Boutique Hotel (Vila Nova de Gaia)

The 40 hotels with a key in the guide are spread throughout the country. In addition to Lisbon, Porto, Funchal and Alentejo, there are also addresses in cities known to Brazilians, such as Aveiro, Comporta, Faro and Fátima.

The Bairro Alto Hotel and the Hotel Pousada de Lisboa , in Praça do Comércio, are two of the names that appear in the capital. The Yeatman , which has a wine cellar with more than 30 thousand bottles , is one of the highlights of Vila Nova de Gaia, right in front of Porto. In Monsaraz, in Alentejo, the São Lourenço do Barrocal is another name with a Michelin key.

All Michelin-starred hotels in Portugal can be found on the Michelin Guide website or app.