At a Glance
A skilful blend of old and new makes this restored 19th century villa—which now adjoins a contemporary building designed by Portugal’s leading street artist, Vhils—a stand out option in sunny Cascais.
Indagare Loves
- The location, a few minutes from Cascais’s best beach, yet perfect for restaurant hopping
- The little rooftop pool with views over the town
- Art, its sun-dappled restaurant on the ground floor where long, lazy, breakfasts merge into lunch
Review
Art meets history is the tagline for this hotel, and the concept that led to its name. It is a skilful merging of the 19th and 21st centuries, with the original Rococo features of the palace well preserved and the contemporary extension a nod to the urban street art that Lisbon is famous for. Vhils, or Alexander Farto to give him his proper name, is justifiably famous for his works; notably creating faces through relief on plaster and brick walls. Here he has created openings all over the building, allowing light to stream through and dapple the bedrooms.
Art and design fill the interiors too, with lights by Danish design brands Gubi, a Fipse Seilern interpretation of a Rembrandt self-portrait and bespoke furniture by Marta Carreira in a neutral palette. The 19 rooms and suites are split between the old and new buildings with the former having high ceilings and large windows and the latter somewhat darker and smaller due to being inside the Swiss cheese like (due to its holes) stone walls.
Who Should Stay
Most travelers will enjoy this property as for its proximity to the beach and its relaxed but attentive service, all at—for Cascais—a reasonable price.
