Kiwi Curated
Exploring the Best of Iberia
by Darren DunnePortugal and Spain made their mark on the world through the adventures of legendary figures like Christopher Columbus and Fernando Magellan. Today, tourists flock to the Iberian Peninsula in droves to revel in the pleasant weather and charming locals. We’ve selected eight Iberian hotels that deserve closer exploration in 2016.
Exploring the Best of Iberia
Countryside luxury fit for a king can be found at Tivoli Palacio de Seteais, the former summer vacation home of the Portuguese Royal Family. This dreamy estate is located on the mountainside of Sintra, a town of such natural beauty it’s been classified a UNESCO World Heritage site. Guests can gaze out over a scene that includes a Moorish Castle from the hotel grounds, with quirky features like a hedge maze. Inside, regal dreams come easy among ballrooms, tapestries and frescoes, while traditional Portuguese cuisine sizzles at Seteais Restaurant.
Exploring the Best of Iberia
Timeless elegance and unique architecture mark Lisbon as a city worth visiting, and Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa offers trendy digs from which to get acquainted with the surrounds. From its privileged position on Avenida da Liberdade, the hotel has been a hospitality fixture in the Portuguese capital for over 80 years. Nearby, The Bairro Alto provides Lisbon’s cultural heartbeat thanks to its many winding alleyways, raucous bars and tasty bistros. The in-house options at Tivoli Lisboa are no slouch either, backing up its status as Lisbon’s celebrity hotel de jour. Gourmet delectables are served up at Brasserie Flo Lisboa and the Terraco Restaurant, while the Sky Bar delivers panoramic city views and a hefty cocktail list.
Exploring the Best of Iberia
Long a preferred destination for avid golfers, Portugal’s Atlantic Coast is earning rave reviews from a broader constituency thanks to the presence of tasteful abodes like The Oitavos. Set on a 168-acre site in the Sintra Cascais National Park, guests will find a modern take on luxury with thanks to the handiwork of Portuguese architect Jose Amaral Anahory. The Oitavos is not afraid to lean into the area’s big strength, offering up 18-holes of picturesque golf at Oitavos Dunes. However, if one subscribes to the theory “golf is a waste of a walk,” solace can be found in the hotel’s gourmet dining, feature-rich spa and rugged beaches.
Exploring the Best of Iberia
It would constitute a dereliction of duty to not pay a visit to Portugal’s southern coast in this blog, and Conrad Algarve places guests right in its tasteful heart. This contemporary gem is located within the resort town of Quinta do Lago, a haunt for Europe’s elite thanks to its many challenging golf courses, boutique shopping outlets and Michelin Star restaurants. Within, guests will find all the amenities of a much larger resort, despite a roster of just 154 guest rooms. Each is decorated in modern hues, with bright and airy balconies standard. The Conrad Health Club & Spa fits the bill when it comes to rejuvenation, while lazy days can be spent beside one of the outdoor swimming pools while the kids are entertained at the Kids’ Club.
Exploring the Best of Iberia
Sometimes pampering is badly needed, and Hotel Fénix, a Gran Meliá Hotel-Madrid has perfected the art of wrapping guests in an aura of aristocratic privilege. The impeccably turned-out lobby with crystal chandelier gives the first hint this is a special hotel, and the feeling continues through each decadent, European-style guest room. When in such majestic surrounds it seems fitting to indulge in a cocktail, and hotel guests are invited to imbibe at Dry, the hotel’s specialist Martini bar. Of course, the real star of the show is the Spanish capital city, and Gran Melia Fenix leaves guests a mere three minutes away one of the city’s prime shopping districts, and just ten minutes from the museum district.
Exploring the Best of Iberia
Not just one of the city’s finest hotels, Gran Melia Colon is considered to be one of the major landmarks of this beguiling Spanish city. The hotel has been the destination of choice for champion matadors since opening as The Majestic in 1929, and the interiors are decked out in regal reds and shimmering golds in a nod to their sporting prowess. The sublime design extends to the handpicked pieces from legends like Philippe Starck, Marcel Wanders and Edra that dot the 187 guest rooms. Gran Melia Colon is located in Seville’s “old corner” where historic architecture lies at every turn. Where better to survey the view than the rooftop Jacuzzi?
Exploring the Best of Iberia
With its playful interiors and jaunty vibe, it’s hard to believe something as staid as a bank used to be found on the site of Hotel Cort. Nowadays, this former financial institution plays host to visitors from the Spanish mainland looking to enjoy some laid-back island life. The hotel sits on Placa de Cort, Mallorca’s charming old town square, where the on-site restaurant, Mallorquin, beckons diners to mingle with locals and soak up the atmosphere. Just 16 guest rooms and suites are located within; each filled with bright colors and nautical touches by the self-proclaimed ‘urban archaeologist’ Lazaro Rosa-Violan.
Exploring the Best of Iberia
Styled as though from a golden era of hospitality, the timeless facade of InterContinental Madrid holds court in Madrid’s upscale Paseo de la Castellana suburb. This grand dame of Madrid hospitality has been welcoming guests to the Spanish capital for over 60-years, with the 302 rooms and 16 function spaces proving alluring for business and leisure travelers alike. Location is one of the hotel’s strengths, and guests here are close to the Prado Museum, Serrano shopping district and Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeau stadium. When in Madrid tapas is a must, and at Bar 49 guests are invited to pour over the extensive wine list while sampling the selection.
Countryside luxury fit for a king can be found at Tivoli Palacio de Seteais, the former summer vacation home of the Portuguese Royal Family. This dreamy estate is located on the mountainside of Sintra, a town of such natural beauty it’s been classified a UNESCO World Heritage site. Guests can gaze out over a scene that includes a Moorish Castle from the hotel grounds, with quirky features like a hedge maze. Inside, regal dreams come easy among ballrooms, tapestries and frescoes, while traditional Portuguese cuisine sizzles at Seteais Restaurant.
Timeless elegance and unique architecture mark Lisbon as a city worth visiting, and Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa offers trendy digs from which to get acquainted with the surrounds. From its privileged position on Avenida da Liberdade, the hotel has been a hospitality fixture in the Portuguese capital for over 80 years. Nearby, The Bairro Alto provides Lisbon’s cultural heartbeat thanks to its many winding alleyways, raucous bars and tasty bistros. The in-house options at Tivoli Lisboa are no slouch either, backing up its status as Lisbon’s celebrity hotel de jour. Gourmet delectables are served up at Brasserie Flo Lisboa and the Terraco Restaurant, while the Sky Bar delivers panoramic city views and a hefty cocktail list.
Long a preferred destination for avid golfers, Portugal’s Atlantic Coast is earning rave reviews from a broader constituency thanks to the presence of tasteful abodes like The Oitavos. Set on a 168-acre site in the Sintra Cascais National Park, guests will find a modern take on luxury with thanks to the handiwork of Portuguese architect Jose Amaral Anahory. The Oitavos is not afraid to lean into the area’s big strength, offering up 18-holes of picturesque golf at Oitavos Dunes. However, if one subscribes to the theory “golf is a waste of a walk,” solace can be found in the hotel’s gourmet dining, feature-rich spa and rugged beaches.
It would constitute a dereliction of duty to not pay a visit to Portugal’s southern coast in this blog, and Conrad Algarve places guests right in its tasteful heart. This contemporary gem is located within the resort town of Quinta do Lago, a haunt for Europe’s elite thanks to its many challenging golf courses, boutique shopping outlets and Michelin Star restaurants. Within, guests will find all the amenities of a much larger resort, despite a roster of just 154 guest rooms. Each is decorated in modern hues, with bright and airy balconies standard. The Conrad Health Club & Spa fits the bill when it comes to rejuvenation, while lazy days can be spent beside one of the outdoor swimming pools while the kids are entertained at the Kids’ Club.
Sometimes pampering is badly needed, and Hotel Fénix, a Gran Meliá Hotel-Madrid has perfected the art of wrapping guests in an aura of aristocratic privilege. The impeccably turned-out lobby with crystal chandelier gives the first hint this is a special hotel, and the feeling continues through each decadent, European-style guest room. When in such majestic surrounds it seems fitting to indulge in a cocktail, and hotel guests are invited to imbibe at Dry, the hotel’s specialist Martini bar. Of course, the real star of the show is the Spanish capital city, and Gran Melia Fenix leaves guests a mere three minutes away one of the city’s prime shopping districts, and just ten minutes from the museum district.
Not just one of the city’s finest hotels, Gran Melia Colon is considered to be one of the major landmarks of this beguiling Spanish city. The hotel has been the destination of choice for champion matadors since opening as The Majestic in 1929, and the interiors are decked out in regal reds and shimmering golds in a nod to their sporting prowess. The sublime design extends to the handpicked pieces from legends like Philippe Starck, Marcel Wanders and Edra that dot the 187 guest rooms. Gran Melia Colon is located in Seville’s “old corner” where historic architecture lies at every turn. Where better to survey the view than the rooftop Jacuzzi?
With its playful interiors and jaunty vibe, it’s hard to believe something as staid as a bank used to be found on the site of Hotel Cort. Nowadays, this former financial institution plays host to visitors from the Spanish mainland looking to enjoy some laid-back island life. The hotel sits on Placa de Cort, Mallorca’s charming old town square, where the on-site restaurant, Mallorquin, beckons diners to mingle with locals and soak up the atmosphere. Just 16 guest rooms and suites are located within; each filled with bright colors and nautical touches by the self-proclaimed ‘urban archaeologist’ Lazaro Rosa-Violan.
Styled as though from a golden era of hospitality, the timeless facade of InterContinental Madrid holds court in Madrid’s upscale Paseo de la Castellana suburb. This grand dame of Madrid hospitality has been welcoming guests to the Spanish capital for over 60-years, with the 302 rooms and 16 function spaces proving alluring for business and leisure travelers alike. Location is one of the hotel’s strengths, and guests here are close to the Prado Museum, Serrano shopping district and Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeau stadium. When in Madrid tapas is a must, and at Bar 49 guests are invited to pour over the extensive wine list while sampling the selection.