The setting of the hotel is magnificent -- great for watching the waves, the surfers, and the sunsets. We also loved our dinner in the restaurant -- one of us had the "autumn menu" (pate, fresh cod with a delicate "cepes" (mushrooms) sauce, and an amazing chocolate dessert with spicy ice cream)and the other had only a main course (black pork with vegetables and almonds) but the extra "amuse bouches" and "pre-desserts" as well as the cookies and truffles with our single coffee turned this into a true extravaganza. The chef clearly knows what he is doing, and the restaurant deserves its Michelin star; also, our 2004 wine from the Dao region was reasonably priced (26 euros) and absolutely delicious. In addition, our waiter in the restaurant, Virgilio, was extremely kind and welcoming. We also thought the bar service was fine, and the room was immaculate and the beds turned down for the night. (I only wish they'd placed the slippers by the bedside because I could have used them but didn't find them (in the closet) until the morning we were leaving.) We had a room with terrace which is actually more like a "sunroom" because, according to management, otherwise the winds would make the terrace unusable. Everything about this experience was fine with possible exception of room decor -- a bit too frou-frou for our taste -- with iridescent curtains and overly ornate lamps. Also, initially we were told at the desk that if we changed our reservation for dinner to make it a bit later (as we wished to do) we would have to delay by an hour, going from 8 pm to 9 pm; when I called the restaurant directly they were very gracious, and said that 8:30 was of course perfectly fine. (The notion that a Michelin star restaurant couldn't accommodate such a change was at first a bit disconcerting; in the end, they did.) Also, the restaurant still permits smoking. The only offender on the evening we were there left when we were starting on our appetizers. We understand that beginning January 1, 2008 there will be a ban on smoking in restaurants in Portugal, or in designated areas of restaurants, which would assure the serious eater a smoke-free experience! Don't hesitate to stay here -- incomparable view, setting, and food (including a delicious breakfast, including eggs cooked to order)! We booked through venere.com and thought we got a good price -- 210 including breakfast, service, and VAT whereas the list price appeared to be 280 for a similar room.

The setting is dramatic on the cliffs above Guincho beach.
The problems are as follows: The rooms are tiny and the bathrooms even smaller. Nothing has been thought through so for example the one thing you need in a small room is a drawer in the bedside table - there isn't one. You are unable to turn out one of the bedside lights without crossing round the room. In the bathroom there is no where to hang anything such a swimsuit to dry. The breakfasts are mediocre. The bar is over priced. Our room smelt of drains but they were unable to fix the problem or offer an alternative room.
This is supposed to be five star but there are none of the small things that are usual these days in a luxury hotel.
They seem to be trading on the hotel location rather than focussing on making it an attractive experience.
Out of season this hotel might be an acceptable choice , in that the prices will be lower and this coast can be wild and beautiful in the winter. Also in the colder weather the drains probably won't smell!

Fifteen years had passed since my last trip to Portugal, but one thing I remembered clearly was the stunning Fortaleza do Guincho north of Cascais, a resort town in which I had once considered buying a house. The hotel hadn't been so grand then, and we hadn't stayed there. A little stark and barren, it had been a state owned property with a pretty good restaurant. In between, however, it had been purchased by a Chinese businessman who wanted to make it his private house. The state said, "no, you can buy it but it has to stay a hotel," so he turned into a Relais & Chateaux with a Michelin starred restaurant. The rooms had of course been upgraded, and so on. We had to reserve there.

We were not disappointed. It's pricey in the early summertime, but our terrace room was exceedingly gracious with stunning views of the beach at Cascais, and the whirlpool-equipped bathroom was a nice touch (it was small enough, however, that they had thought better of the bidet and removed it.) The public rooms were extremely pleasant in a casually elegant way, and the restaurant was actually better than I could have hoped -- certainly our best meal in Portugal this trip, and absolutely a bargain for that level of food relative to Paris or London or Veyrier du Lac near Annecy. The staff were very helpful, guiding us the following day toward a restaurant near Cabo do Roca which we recalled with fondness.

I would return here in an instant.

My wife and I travelled to this Hotel after a change of plan exploring the areas between Costa La Luz and Portugal's Silver Coast, - it was a pretty hectic 9 days driving. We had a little difficulty finding the hotel at first, but eventually simply followed the signs for 'Guincho' and there it was. The entrance is like something out of an historic novel - a 'true fort' on the edge of a rocky outcrop complete with Atlantic rollers and massive breakers all around it. The welcome from the staff was excellent and the room although small was well furnished and quite opulent. The ceiling was something to be believed with sandstone vaulted sections. There was also a balcony directly overlooking the surf and the sunset - very romantic! The bathroom was small but adequate and well fitted and complete with a whirlpool bath. Plenty of wardbrobe space and a wall safe (no charge).

We ate in the hotel restaurant for two of the three nights we stayed and the food was quite clearly worthy of the 3 michelin stars. The staff were very attentive and friendly and more than pleased to discuss details of the menu choices and wine, with all of them being very knowledgeable. They made us feel as though we were very important people, but maybe that was because we were there a little out of season. We like to think that was not the reason.

Everything about the place exuded the feeling of good quality and high standards, but without the stuffiness of some hotels.

I at first I thought the prices would average well over £200 per night for the two of us including the three course meals, wine, coffee and drinks but was pleasantly surpised when we checked out.

General area - There are a number of other restaurants in the area and we sampled only one (closer to Cascais) which specialised in steak. - also an excellent choice. I would guess that in season the area would be very busy as would Cascais itself. Its also a guess but there appears to be some interesting local places to visit and Cascais is an excellent jumping off point to explore the Silver Coast with good motorway access North and South, although Lisbon would be best avoided.