Penha Longa Resort

Penha Longa Resort lies within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, on an estate of 220 hectares that was once a retreat of the Portuguese royal family. At its heart stand a 14th-century monastery and chapel, with colourful tilework, and a 19th-century palace, and the spa now occupies the former royal apartments. Part of the Ritz-Carlton group, the resort has contemporary rooms and suites with balconies over the golf course and the Sintra hills. The 27-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., has hosted the Portuguese Open. The spa of 1,500 square metres uses Natura Bissé and has nine treatment rooms, a private suite and gardens with a contrast pool, a waterfall, meditation gazebos and a platform for yoga and qi gong. Of the seven places to eat, two hold a Michelin star: LAB by Sergi Arola, over the greens, which opens with a tour of Portuguese flavours, and Midori, open since 1992 and among the oldest Japanese restaurants in Portugal, where chef Pedro Almeida applies Japanese technique to local produce. Lisbon is about 30 minutes by car, with Sintra, Cascais and Estoril close by.