Portugal. As good fortune would have it, the city and its surrounding areas are well suited for those who want to stay a while.

 

For a city of many impressive hills, life in Lisbon feels nothing like an uphill battle. Lunch frequently stretches into multiple courses, and, with its trolley and funicular tram system, traversing Lisbon to sample its history, sites and fine wines is simple.

 

It also doesn’t hurt that the weather is temperate. It may get chilly on an autumn or winter day, but Lisbon’s definition of chilly is downright balmy compared to what chilly means in Northern Europe or parts of North America. It isn’t surprising then that this can be an ideal destination for snowbirds. Along with the favorable climate is an array of four- and five-star hotels with accommodation for those who seek to stay as long as months at a time.

 

Studios to Five Bedroom Penthouses in Hotel with Artistic Sensibility
When you arrive at the Martinhal Lisbon Oriente in Lisbon’s ultra-modern Park of Nations district, you will immediately notice a striking work of art just outside the entrance. During JAX FAX’s visit in November, there was a giant, multicolored dragonfly constructed from trash, or “ephemera,” by the Portuguese street artist Bordalo II. The artist also had a portrait of a lioness and her cub in the lobby. These works of art, along with two others from Bordalo II, are on permanent display.

 

Just as impressive as the creative spirit of this hotel is its flexibility to meet the needs of everyone from solitary travelers with few needs, who may only stay a short time, to families with children who may stay for a month or longer. At one end of the spectrum are “studios,” like the room JAX FAX stayed in, which, despite the name, was gracious enough to fit not one, but two playpens, which happened to be placed at either side of the bed upon first entering the room. The playpens were just as easily removed by the hotel’s super-responsive staff, which immediately took them out when they saw they were not needed. The room also included a kitchenette.

 

Luckily, for those with no interest in cooking while on vacation, the hotel also features an all-day-dining restaurant.
At the other end of the spectrum is the property’s five-bedroom penthouses, offering a spectacular view of the Tagus River. These penthouses also happen to come with private elevators.

 

For a more typical experience, there are options for one, two, three and four-bedroom suites.

 

There is a gym, family game room and a “Kid’s Club,” a daycare center for children as young as six months old with a staff that is carefully vetted by the hotel. There is a “baby concierge” that provides items like play pens, strollers, baby baths and door protectors for stairs.

 

In addition, there is a co-working space with meeting rooms that have soundproofed walls.

 

Short Hop from New to Old Lisbon
From the most modern part of Lisbon, where the Martinhal Lisbon Oriente is located, it’s a short drive to the older parts of Lisbon, which comprise some of the city’s most memorable spots including “Onion Field, “ or Campo das Cebolas, square, Commerce Square with its triumphal arch celebrating the city’s recovery from the great 1755 earthquake and Bairro Alto, a neighborhood that looks quaint by day, but is known for its vibrant nightlife, and Belém with its eponymous tower and the famous Jerónimos Monastery, where city’s signature custard tarts, Pastéis de Nata, originated.

 

A walk along Augusta Street, the main street of the Pombaline quarter, is especially peaceful, as it is pedestrian-only.

 

Unforgettable Views of the Sea with a Personalized Experience
One of the most exclusive and upscale areas near Lisbon is Cascais, where JAX FAX headed following a morning touring Old Lisbon. The area offers stunning views of the sea.

 

The hotels in Cascais optimize their setting with many views of the wide seascape, whether it’s from a terrace by the pool or from your own room. Albatroz Hotel, for example, has a spacious outdoor area where with a multitude of lounge chairs facing the sea, including a view of the bay filled with fishing boats. The hotel’s deluxe rooms and suites have ocean views and balconies—and not just the common complimentary bottle of water, but complimentary port wine, too! Port wine is frequently served in Lisbon, as it originated in the Portuguese city of Porto.

 

Another hotel in Cascais with gorgeous sea views, and a golf course to boot, is the Onyria Marinha Boutique Hotel, which prides itself on providing a personalized experience for guests. That includes toothbrushes emblazoned with the guest’s name. The hotel has 68 deluxe rooms, four suites and 12 deluxe villas, all with a balcony or terrace, overlooking nature. Luxurious touches like televisions embedded in bathroom mirrors also help make a stay at this hotel memorable.

 

Some of the villas in Onyria Marinha Boutique Hotel have private pools, and golf aficionados will find much to love, as the hotel offers golf clinics with professionals for groups.

 

The opportunity for a personalized experience in Cascais can also be found at the Farol Hotel, where guests aren’t just able to specify the type of room they want; they can reserve the exact room they want to stay in. Following a memorable three-course meal at The Mix restaurant in the hotel, JAX FAX toured a suite with a panoramic view of the ocean.

 

A Trip Along Coastal Road to Sintra’s Palace’s and Stately Homes
Yet another way to see the beautiful Lisbon coastline is from the vantage point of the mountains in Sintra. A drive to Sintra gives you a chance to experience both the mountainous topography of the area and jaw-dropping glimpses of the sea from a height.

 

The drive to Sintra also offers the opportunity for a stop at Cabo da Roca, the Western-most point in Europe. It’s worth stopping there to take in the view and snap a few photos.

 

There are 30-40 palaces/stately homes in Sintra. Seven of the palaces are open for tours, the most well-known of which is the Park and National Palace of Pena. Sometimes, however, going off the beaten path can be a nice change of pace, especially if you’re eager for relaxation. JAX FAX’s tour group opted for the much less heavily trafficked Park and Palace of Monserrate.

 

The walk through the park to the palace is as enjoyable as the visit to the palace itself. You pass by the area’s signature cork trees walking up trails surrounded by a botanical garden. The plantings include imported greenery such as large ferns brought to the garden from Australia. This is noteworthy enough that this portion of the garden was given the name the Valley of the Ferns.

 

Most of the belongings of the last family to own Monserrate were removed when they left, however, the architecture of the home is worth seeing from the inside. Especially interesting was the kitchen, which is mostly intact as it was when the last family who owned the palace lived there. The views of the park and mountains beyond from the windows of the house also are memorable.

 

A long walk through the park surrounding Monserrate can be rewarded with shopping in the charming town center of Sintra followed by a funicular tram from Sintra to the beach and then on to one of the wineries in the nearby town of Colares. JAX FAX visited Adega Regional de Colares. Wine enthusiasts will find enjoyment in any wine they sample there, whether their preference is for red or white.

 

A taste of the region’s wine, much like the sights of the sea, mountains, and the enjoyment of being in central Lisbon, make limiting your time there to a brief trip a challenge.

 

Snowbirds will, no doubt, find Lisbon and its surrounding areas at the top of their list of cities in Europe to settle into for a nice, long stay.

 

How to Get There
JAX FAX flew nonstop from Newark Liberty Airport to Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon on TAP Air Portugal,
economy class.

 

Where to Stay
JAX FAX stayed: in Lisbon at the Martinhal Lisbon Oriente, in Cascais at Pestana Cascais Ocean & Conference Aparthotel and
in Sintra at Vila Galé Sintra

 

Where to Eat
JAX FAX enjoyed great meals at:
Nunes Real Marisqueira in the Belém district of Lisbon. While a variety of foods are available at Nunes, their specialty is shellfish. JAX FAX enjoyed a lunch of oysters with caviar, lobster, tuna sashimi, along with rarities for Americans like barnacles. It was a stand-out dining experience.

 

The Mix, located within Farol Hotel. This dinner included roasted sirloin tournedo for the main course and a chocolate foam and raspberry crunch with cherry ice cream dessert, in addition to ample starter dishes.

 

Café Paris Sintra. The multi-course lunch included vegetables cream with leek, chicken supreme stuffed with spinach and ricotta with chips, lemon and thyme sauce and white chocolate and lime crème brûlée for dessert

 

Terrace—Café Bar Restaurant, located within Martinhal Lisbon Oriente. The restaurant specializes in oriental and Mediterranean fusion cuisine, expertly curated by the well-travelled Chef Daniel Andrade.

 

Restaurante Versátil, located within Vila Galé Sintra. This restaurant offers a buffet with many options, including
for vegetarians.