Responsible Choice
Located on a rugged stretch of coastline an hour north of Lisbon, Areias do Seixo is a beautiful contemporary eco retreat. Fashioned from polished concrete and glass, the emphasis here is on grounding you within the natural surroundings.
The hotel has just 14 guest rooms, each individually decorated with ethnic art, driftwood furniture and modern design pieces. The main hotel building features a large outdoor infinity pool with views across the gardens, as well as a tranquil spa where you can enjoy a range of treatments. Inside, large fireplaces add a dramatic design element to the spacious, atrium-style restaurant. There are also a number of family villas with a separate swimming pool shared between them ensuring the heart of the property remains a relaxed and romantic retreat. As an eco-friendly hotel, the rooms and villas do not have air-conditioning, but rather a geothermal heating and cooling system. We find this to be perfectly sufficient, but staff are always happy to provide fans to cool rooms down more quickly.
Much of the food served in the restaurant is grown on site and guests can enjoy exploring the extensive grounds, attending yoga classes or relaxing around one of the fire pits in the evening. While the hotel itself is not located directly on the beach, there is a free shuttle on offer to a nearby beach where the owners also run a small restaurant and surf school. Bikes are also available for exploring the area.
A romantic, eco-friendly retreat, Areias do Seixo merges sleek, contemporary design with rustic materials and quirky style and we love the chilled vibe and tranquil surroundings.
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Photos of Areias do Seixo
Rooms
The 14 guest rooms are divided into four themed styles 鈥� Gold, Love, Land and Tree. Each is individually decorated and features a mixture of polished concrete and rustic local materials combined with ethnic art, upcycled driftwood and sleek modern furniture. All boast their own terrace with views overlooking the pool and gardens, while a number also feature their own fireplace and outdoor concrete tub or Jacuzzi. Behind the main property, there are a number of family villas which can accommodate up to six people and feature their own separate swimming pool.
Location
Perched on the cliffs of the rugged coast an hour north of Lisbon, Areias do Seixo is set in extensive grounds which include secluded woodland, a large vegetable garden and a small lake with a private pavilion. Guests can borrow bikes for exploring or take a free shuttle to the beach below where the hotel's waterfront restaurant and surf school are located.
Food and drink
Breakfast is served each morning in the large central dining room with panoramic windows overlooking the gardens. Seating extends out onto the terrace when the weather allows. The restaurant also serves an innovative tasting menu with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients as well as an 脿 la carte menu and selection of daily specials. It is also possible to arrange picnics in the grounds or a romantic candlelit meal under the stars.
Families
There are a number of family apartments that accommodate up to six people available just behind the main hotel. These apartments share a second swimming pool aside from the main infinity pool, but guests can still take advantage of all the other facilities at the main hotel. The owners are also more than happy to arrange activities for children such as making cupcakes in the hotel kitchens or collecting mussels down on the beach.
Facilities and activities
As well as the outdoor pool there is a relaxing spa where guests can take advantage of a range of treatments along with a sauna and steam room. A selection of yoga classes are also on offer or you can simply take a mat and find a quiet spot in the grounds. You can learn more about the hotel鈥檚 eco credentials on a tour of the kitchen gardens or greenhouses. There is a free shuttle to a nearby beach where you can take surfing lessons or alternatively, you can take one of the hotel bicycles and explore independently.