As its name suggests, Martinhal Cascais Family Hotel is a property dedicated to traveling families. An easy half-hour or so escape from Lisbon, the largest city and capital of Portugal, the property has a knack for making everyone in the family feel like they’re on vacation.
Set in a residential neighborhood, the exterior isn’t flashy, but once inside, the lobby is striking and spacious. Walls of glass flood the space with light, bringing the outside in, and setting the tone for the entire property.
Martinhal Cascais Family Hotel offers 72 rooms and suites, and a dozen two-bedroom villas. Bigger than what most have come to expect from hotel accommodations, light wood and white furnishings help provide a modern and airy feel. All rooms also have an exterior wall consisting mainly of sliding glass doors that open to a balcony or terrace.
Deluxe rooms boast two twin beds that can be pushed together to create a king, but instead of a headboard, an etched glass window separates the bedroom from the bathroom, allowing natural light to flow through the entire room. When privacy is desired, a blind drops down with the touch of a button. All bathrooms boast double sinks, and a separate shower and tub. The toilet is enclosed with opaque glass walls, making it a bit easier for two people to comfortably use the space at the same time.
Connecting rooms, and rooms that also have kid-friendly bunk beds are available; all rooms have a refrigerator, (although a majority of the space is dedicated to the minibar) Nespresso machine, and an electric tea kettle. Parents can reserve baby equipment like cribs, baby bottle sterilizers, and baby gates with the Baby Concierge.
The Finisterra Spa offers a wide range of treatments for both parents and kids. There’s also a fitness center with cardio equipment and free weights open daily from 7am to 10pm. The property is located between two golf courses: Quinta da Marinha and Oitavos Dunes. Tee times can be arranged.
Three pools are sprinkled throughout the property. An indoor pool and hot tub are located near the spa, and another indoor pool is located near the Kids Clubhouse, where all supervised kids clubs are located. Both the Crèche Club, for ages 19 months to three years old, and the Raposinhos Kids Club, for ages four and up, are complimentary. The baby club is open to infants six-months and older, but there is a fee. Clubs for tweens and teens are offered during school holidays, (typically June through August) and by request other times of the year. A huge playground near the Kids Clubhouse, offers a jumping pillow, (Imagine a massive trampoline set in the ground.) in addition to swings and slides.
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Martinhal Cascais Family Hotel offers two onsite restaurants. O Terraço serves a buffet-style breakfast and dinner menu loaded with Portuguese dishes. The staff supervised Kids Corner, located within the restaurant, provides a safe place for children who eat quickly to play, while allowing parents to finish their meal. MBar, located in the Kids Clubhouse, serves lunch and dinner in a casual setting. Homemade baby food, and kid-friendly dishes like pizza and pasta are available in both locations. In addition to adult drinks, The Lounge Bar serves hot chocolate, smoothies, and offers a daily Family Afternoon Tea.
Rates for a Deluxe room with a king bed (or two twins), for two adults and one child up to two years old, range from $213 to $479. Breakfast is included. Wi-Fi and parking are complimentary. You can go to Hotels.com or Hotelopia and compare rates.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
