Loved the Fortaleza. Really couldn't fault it. We were upgraded to a room with an indoor balcony and view. Service excellent, very friendly and great advice. Wonderful dinner in the restaurant - similiar to irish prices! All we missed was a pool but made good use of the lounging chairs on the deck overlooking the beach. Is always very windy. Walked to Cascais-10kms-took an hour and a half. Taxis to Sintra for a day - only €15 one way. The shuttle bus will take you in to Cascais. Aiport was €45 away. Would definitely stay there again.

From the moment you drive along the Estrada do Guincho and you have your first glimpse of this old renewed fortress standing on the cliffs with Cabo da Roca in the background, you already know that this is the place to be.
Away from the noisy Cascais city center, where most of 5 stars hotels are overlooking what is becoming to look like a highway, this is just the perfect place for a romantic escapade or that much longed for relax you’ve been yearning for.
When we arrived it was raining but staff was very helpful with unloading the car and welcoming into very nice little main hall. As soon as we checked in, we were shown into our room on upper floor. I requested a superior room with ocean view and I was not disappointed, sunsets were dramatic.
What can you expect from the rooms? This hotel was literally carved out of an ancient fortress dating back hundreds of years so if you are looking for spacious rooms and spacious bathrooms this is not the place for you. Your rooms were probably once cells, or military rooms so unless you’re booking a suite do not dream of an attic.
Our room was probably small in comparison with what you might get from a 5 stars chain hotel, but it was beautifully arranged in every detail, furnished with taste, and the atmosphere very warm. The beds were also extremely comfortable. We had them prepare for us two twin beds and they were a sort of canopy style with a wonderful gilding and carving all over the top.
Minibar was well assorted. Flat LCD screen in every room. From the room you can then step out into a small veranda where a chaise-lounge sofa is waiting for you with a small bottle of Port whine and two crystal glasses set on the adjacent table to enjoy the spectacular ocean views you have from there.
Courtesy bottle of Port whine and water and basket of fresh fruit are gently provided by the hotel.
The bathroom was small but spotlessly clean. Spacious bath tub and shower with incorporated Jacuzzi. Our bathroom was all decorated with azulejos (the Portuguese hand painted tiles) and shampoos, soaps, creams were all branded “Hermes – Paris”.
From the hotel you can access two beautiful beaches. A quieter one on the left side of the hotel by descending the small steps right from the terrace or the magnificent surfers’ beach on the right side. To go there you’ll have to walk out of the hotel’s parking and walk like 5 minutes on the street to access the slope to the beach. The views, the ocean and the beach are just wonderful.
Breakfast was OK; what I appreciated the most was that you do not have the usual display of cooked food in a row where you have to queue all the way. Everything is freshly cooked for you and brought directly to your table after you order it.
The restaurant is tiny though. If you want to eat there book well in advance. We did not and we had to wait 20 minutes before they could find us a table. Apparently a very well renowned chef is the host and a lot of people from outside come to enjoy the food.
We had dinner there only one evening and it was a super experience. Food was excellent but you really get those tiny but well presented nouvelle cuisine portions. So if you’re into overstuffed dishes do not go there. The wine selection is also very wide. This is not a place where you can enjoy Portuguese traditional food though since the chef is Belgian. If you wanna try good Portuguese food just step out of the hotel, cross the parking, and go to the nearby Mar do Guincho for the most fantastic Arroz com Mariscos.
We booked over the internet and they charged us 240 euros per night per room. I think it was right for what we got but May is not high season though.
I did not have the chance to test the internet connection so I cannot post any comment on that.
Only drawback: maybe cause of the rain, we did sense a not so pleasant drains smell in the evening once, but it lasted only like 1 hour or so.
I recommend it definityely.

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!