Though small in population, Portugal offers much for visitors, such as wines, hearty foods and natural beauty. Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which showcases more than 520 independent hotels in over 80 countries, has several options for the luxury traveler looking to visit the country.
• Pousada de Lisboa: Housed in the same building that once held the office of Portugal's infamous dictator, Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, the Lisbon hotel today comprises 90 rooms divided into five categories: classic, superior, deluxe, duplex and suites.
Just outside the hotel is Commerce Square, the historical area destroyed by an earthquake in 1755. Nearby, visitors can meander through crammed cobblestone streets to visit shops and restaurants bustling with activity.
Guests can relax and unwind from the day at the on-site spa, indoor swimming pool, sauna and fitness center before indulging in a meal at the hotel's Lisboeta restaurant.
• Internacional Design Hotel: A funky, four-star boutique hotel, its rooms come in four concepts: urban, tribal, zen and pop.
For the art lover, consider the pop rooms, which feature flashy decor and Andy Warhol-inspired quotes. Zen rooms offer a more laid-back experience, with a focus on clean lines and minimalism.
The on-site restaurant, Bastardo, is equally quirky: bread is delivered in a Lego box.
• Alentejo Marmoris Hotel & Spa: Portugal is known for its rose-colored pink marble, and nowhere will you get a better chance to see it up close than at this 45-room hotel.
From the floors to the bathroom sinks, the metamorphic rock is used throughout the property, which is 110 miles east of Lisbon in Portugal's Alentejo region.
The staff can organize several activities for guests, including olive oil tasting, cooking classes and visits to marble quarries.
• L'and Vineyards: Made for wine lovers, this hotel's 22 suites are situated around a formal vine garden; the spa uses natural ingredients from the vineyard environment; and the one-star Michelin restaurant pairs each dish with an appropriate wine.
Each suite at L'and features a large, outdoor terrace with a fireplace. Ten of the suites are skyview, in which the ceiling opens up above the bed. The sky suites also feature a private interior garden with a plunge pool.
• Palacio Estoril Hotel Golf & Spa: Built in 1930 as the Hotel Palacio, this property became home to several exiled European royal families during World War II. Today, the five-star property, located 20 minutes from Lisbon, offers modern facilities, elegant restaurant dining, golf packages and a wellness center and spa.
For rates and more information, see www.slh.com/destinations/europe/portugal.