Farol Design Hotel – Cascais
A dream location, a stunning view, five-star service, a list of luxury events and activities and extraordinary décor: would you like to discover a little more about Portugal’s first design hotel?
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Have you ever imagined asking for, not a whisky, but rather a hotel “on the rocks”? Have you ever fancied having the sea lapping at the foot of your bed? Have you ever thought of paying for a night in a hotel and dancing until dawn? Well, if you want those wishes to come true, then try visiting Farol Design and discover that, other than a place to stay, it offers other rather unique experiences; like sleeping in a room created by one of Portugal’s top fashion designers. The fact that José António Tenente, Ana Salazar, Manuel Alves and José Manuel Gonçalves, among many others, are stars of the catwalk is already well-known; however, when it comes to decorating a hotel room (and doing it very well, I might add!), why not see for yourself.
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Ana Salazar, the first lady of Portuguese fashion and someone famous for her penchant for black, decided to turn things on their head a little and opted for white in the suite that she decorated. The combination of colour, minimalist design and two tall floor to ceiling windows gives the impression that the sun, from the moment it rises to the time it sets, has taken up residence in the room. And when we talk about the sea lapping at the foot of your bed, we’re exaggerating, but not that much. Situated on a rocky cliff that stretches down to the ocean, the hotel has taken full advantage of this and guests really feel that they are rubbing shoulders with the local fish. Only in a submarine would you get any closer. Here, you hear and smell the sea. You feel the Atlantic in the fresh sushi that is served, Tuesday to Sunday, in the Mix restaurant, which is headed by Chef Daniel Schlaipfer, who is also a skilled hand at the best Portuguese and Mediterranean fusion fare. The sea also keeps guests company on lively evenings with DJs and a barbecue by the salt water pool. And when we mentioned the likelihood of going to bed in the early hours, we were referring to the nights spent at the Coconut’s club, which now hosts a variety of hotel events and parties.
Despite being modern and at the cutting edge of what’s happening, the place where Farol Design resides is actually very old. The original manor house belonged to Conde de Cabral, dating back to the 19th century, and it was here that the Estalagem do Farol was open for decades, the prelude to what would become the first Portuguese design hotel. Nowadays, the hotel’s main principles are “luxury in a relaxing atmosphere, personalised and attentive service and a hotel experience that becomes a life experience”, according to Melanie Iten, the hotel director. Enjoy a drink surrounded by the best design furniture and catch some rays on the many beds and sun loungers in the garden or have a massage or yoga class al fresco. If this is not enough and you want to go that extra mile, hit the waves and cast off on a boat with champagne and dinner aboard, or you can always go riding and marvel at the wonders of Sintra. At Farol Design, your wishes are veritable commands.
Avenida Rui Humberto II de Itália, 7, Cascais
+351 21 482 3490
www.farol.com.pt
€110 – €480
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by Maria Ana Ventura
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