Farol Design Hotel

Here is a comprehensive hotel review for Farol Design Hotel, a Michelin Key Selected property in Cascais, Portugal:

Farol Design Hotel, Cascais: A Detailed Review

The Farol Design Hotel in Cascais offers a distinctive luxury experience, blending a renovated 19th-century manor house with contemporary design elements, all set against a dramatic Atlantic oceanfront backdrop. Recognized as a Michelin Key Selected property, it consistently garners strong guest feedback for its unique atmosphere, prime location, and exceptional culinary offerings.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Farol Design Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "exceptional" and "amazing." It holds an impressive overall rating of 8.6 out of 10 on Agoda, with group travelers giving it an even higher 8.7. Booking.com reviews also reflect an excellent rating of 8.7, with high scores for staff, cleanliness, and location. The sentiment points towards a memorable and luxurious seaside retreat.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the Farol Design Hotel for several standout features:

• Breathtaking Ocean Views & Location: Situated directly on the ocean cliffs next to Cascais Marina, the hotel offers stunning, unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean and the picturesque marina. Guests appreciate being able to "see and hear the waves" from their rooms.
• Unique Design & Atmosphere: The hotel is a sophisticated blend of a remodelled 19th-century mansion and modern additions, creating an "eclectic composition of adventurous architecture." Its contemporary elegance and "trendy decoration" are frequently highlighted.
• Service & Hospitality: Warm hospitality and impeccable, attentive service are recurring themes in guest reviews.
• Amenities: The oceanfront saltwater swimming pool, sundeck terrace, and spa facilities for relaxation are highly valued.

3. Room Quality

The Farol Design Hotel features 33 rooms and suites, designed to be tranquil sanctuaries with modern amenities and stylish decor. A distinctive aspect is that eleven of these rooms are individually decorated by different Portuguese and international fashion designers, offering a varied aesthetic from bright and maximalist to white and minimalist, or even black and gold with a decadent vibe.

Many rooms boast stunning sea views, with a majority offering private balconies perfect for enjoying the Atlantic breeze. Common room features include hydro-massage bathtubs or shower massage columns, bathrobes with slippers, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. Guests generally find the rooms "very comfortable," "good size," and "stunning" in the newer sections. There is also a penthouse suite with a butler and personal chef, and cozy attic rooms with glass walls overlooking the Atlantic.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's food and dining experience receives exceptional praise, with Agoda awarding it a perfect score of 10.0.

• The Mix Restaurant: This award-winning restaurant offers Mediterranean fusion cuisine, known for its innovative dishes crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including renowned fish from Cascais. Guests can enjoy their meals from a glorious dining terrace or the restaurant, marveling at the ocean views.
• Sushi Moment: For a unique experience, the hotel also features Sushi Moment, which reinterprets traditional Japanese cuisine and is often enjoyed on a terrace overlooking the sea.
• Breakfast: The breakfast buffet is consistently described as "very good" and "amazing" by guests.
• On the Rocks Bar: This lounge bar overlooks the saltwater pool and is a popular spot for cocktails, sometimes featuring a DJ.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Farol Design Hotel are highly rated, with Agoda giving them an 8.7 for performance and Booking.com a 9.3. Guests frequently highlight the "warm hospitality and impeccable service." Staff are described as "friendly and attentive," "personable," "helpful," and providing "expert attention." For those hosting events like weddings, the dedicated wedding planner and catering team also receive high commendation for making experiences "flawless."

6. Location & Accessibility

The Farol Design Hotel boasts a "stunning location" right on the coast, next to Cascais Marina. This prime spot provides breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

• Proximity to Town: The charming town center of Cascais is easily accessible, just a 5 to 10-minute walk away. Guests can explore vibrant restaurants, shops, the Cascais Historic Center, Centro Cultural de Cascais, and the Museu do Mar.
• Transport: The hotel is located 23km from Lisbon International Airport, approximately a 35-minute drive. A local train connects Cascais to Lisbon, and the central train station is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Bicycles and cars can be rented directly at the reception. The Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais is also reachable by car in 20 minutes.

7. Value & Pricing

Farol Design Hotel is positioned as a luxury property. The average room price is around $254, which is considered "exceptional value for money" compared to the average hotel room price in Cascais ($205) by some sources. Other sources indicate rates starting from EUR 121.

However, some guests feel that the rooms can be "very expensive" and question if the cost always warrants a 5-star rating, particularly when considering certain minor shortcomings. One reviewer suggested a room priced around £450 per night felt more like a £150-200 room if not for the location. This suggests that while the overall experience is highly valued, some guests perceive the pricing for certain room types as potentially high relative to the interior amenities.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms or issues mentioned by guests include:

• Maintenance: A few reviews note that the building might be "in need of maintenance" in certain areas.
• Room Amenities: Some guests have expressed a desire for more extensive coffee and tea provisions in rooms, such as kettles with milk, and the absence of an iron.
• Noise: Music from the bar has occasionally been described as "too loud."
• Room Decor/Comfort (Specific Instances): While generally praised, some specific rooms have been described as "monochrome boxes" lacking decor like pictures. Minor details like a "prominent tear in the carpet" or "maddening creaking noises" from cupboard doors in specific rooms have also been reported.
• Dining Area Seating: One reviewer found the "stupid plastic chairs" in the dining room noisy when moved and noted a lack of comfortable shaded outdoor seating.
• Perceived "Edginess": A sentiment that the hotel might be "trying too hard to be edgy and chic/contemporary" without fully considering practical guest experience aspects has been noted.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. booking.com
3. booking.com
4. michelin.com
5. secretplaces.com
6. farol.com.pt
7. michelin.com
8. preferredhotels.com
9. thehotelguru.com
10. farol.com.pt
11. myboutiquehotel.com
12. michelin.com
13. farolhotelcascais.com