Grande Real Villa Italia, Cascais

Live like an (exiled) king at Grande Real Villa Italia, a former palace in one of the best locations in Cascais. Located just 30 minutes from Lisbon, this seaside town became known as the vacation destination for Portuguese royalty, who built their summer homes there in the 1930s. The European elite soon followed, and Umberto II, the last king of Italy, built this palace in exile in the 1960s. Overlooking the ocean and Santa Marta lighthouse, this hotel offers easy access to all of Cascais. Boca do Inferno is right across from it, the town's beaches are within 20 minutes walking, and Old Town is just a 10-minute walk.

Many of the palace's details have been retained, and influential Portuguese interior designer Graça Viterbo has integrated them with a contemporary style. Spread across two wings, the modern and the original palace, the 120+ rooms and suites are quite spacious, with the smallest still being 388 square feet (36 sqm). All include marble bathtubs and showers and either sea or garden views. For a more traditional style, the Royal Penthouse in King Umberto II's former living quarters includes antique furniture that captures an old-world elegance and a Jacuzzi and terrace that offer new-world comforts.

There are three on-site restaurants offering a mix of cuisine, including Portuguese and Italian. The standout, atmosphere-wise, might be Belvedere, the Italian restaurant up on the terrace, where you can enjoy a good meal with an even better view. The pool is a great place to relax, as it overlooks the Atlantic, although the spa might be the biggest highlight. Located in a massive space inspired by Roman bathhouses, the Real Spa Marine includes a sauna, steam room, and gym, and its treatments include thalassotherapy, hydrotherapy, and massages that use Portuguese ingredients to exfoliate your skin.