Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa

Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Cascais Portugal (2024 Updated)

Cascais is a coastal resort town in Portugal, just west of Lisbon. It’s known for its sandy beaches and busy marina and gay friendly hotels Cascais. The old town is home to the medieval Nossa Senhora da Luz Fort and the Citadel Palace, a former royal retreat. Nearby is the whitewashed Nossa Senhora da Assunção church, with glazed azulejo tiles. Paula Rego House of Stories shows the Portuguese artist’s paintings in a modern building

Gay PRIDE Lisbon is a peaceful march of LGBT people and their relatives and friends, which combines social and political protest with entertainment such as live concerts. It takes place every year in the month of April in Lisbon the main destination of Portugal. Like most countries in Western Europe the  city have many gay bars, clubs and gay friendly hotels.

Consider this your open invitation to pack your bags and find Cascais city hotels that are members of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. Staying in this historical area will give you access to its local art scene and shops.

 

What are the top attractions to visit in Cascais?

Nowadays, Cascais and its surroundings are a popular vacation spot for the Portuguese as well as for the international jet set and regular foreign tourists, all of them drawn by its fine beaches. The town hosts many international events, including sailing and surfing. In 2018 it was the European Youth Capital.

Top 10 sights in Cascais (for a day trip)

1. Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães
2. Boca do Inferno
3. Museu do Mar Rei Dom Carlos I
4. Praia da Rainha
5. Casa das Histórias Paula Rego
6. The Cascais/Estoril beach promenade
7. Fortress Nossa Senhora da Luz de Cascais
8. Parque Marechal Carmona
9. Cascais Marina
10. Casa de Santa Maria and lighthouse

 

1. Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa – Gay Hotels Cascais

 

Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais
Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais

The outdoor infinity pool at this 5-star Cascais hotel overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel features a Spa, a Health Club, restaurants and free WiFi throughout the property. There is also a new area available for all guests, the Miragem Water Lounge.

Rooms at Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa feature a marble bathroom stocked with a robe and luxury bathroom amenities. Some have floor-to-ceiling windows and a furnished, Cascais Bay-view terrace.

The brand new Miragem Water Lounge is comprised of an adult and a family swimming pool, salt-water pond, sauna, Turkish bath and a relaxation area. Holmes Place Spa offers aromatherapy massages in ocean-view treatment rooms.

On the exclusive Estoril coast, the five star Hotel Cascais Miragem is set in a spectacular situation facing the Atlantic Ocean with views over the Marina of Cascais. The 192 elegantly decorated rooms and suites are spacious with all the modern comfort. Relax at the Cristovao Colombo Bar for a pre-dinner drink of Porto or Champagne before dining in the award winning Gourmet restaurant overlooking The Marina.

Traditional Portuguese recipes with international influences create trans-ethnic cuisine prepared using only the finest ingredients. Located on the third floor the “infinity edge” of the swimming pool merges with the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean.

Well appointed on the outskirts of the town and in easy walking distance to the centre, seafront & train station it’s a fabulous place to explore Cascais and further afield . 30 mins from Lisbon and a bus ride from Sintra.

The beach in front of the hotel is tiny and rocky. You need to walk 5 min to arrive at a bit bigger and sandy beach. Has great restaurants on the beach. The train station is a 9 min walk from the hotel.

The rooms are large, comfortable beds, the king bed is really big, and there is a spacious terrace to bask in the sun. Hôtel is super clean with great interiors and magnificent paintings, all well maintained and clean. Breakfast has a wide spread from English breakfast, to pan cakes, custom omelettes, fresh exotic fruits etc! Service is outstanding, courteous, kind and very prompt.

The spa was fantastic . Turkish bath jacuzzi etc One of the the hotels best features.

The deluxe double room with ocean views on the 9th floor and the views to the Cascais harbour on one side and the Estoril coast on the other were really stunning. The list of what I love about this hotel is long and some of the virtues include, in no particular order, the glass elevator from the Lobby right up to the 10th floor, the staff who are attentive and charming but not intrusive, the refreshing non-alcoholic cocktails, the breakfast buffet which has an extensive and frequently replenished delicious selection and don’t miss the weekend brunch which I think really is the best in Cascais.

We visited the newly opened Cascais Water Lounge (6th floor) which is such a treat, there is a TV room which also has a selection of books to borrow (on 3rd floor) and there are many comfortable seating areas throughout the hotel where you can sit back, relax and soak up the atmosphere.

However my absolute favourite spot in the hotel is an area on the 6th floor called Horizontes which has a beautiful indoor seating area, lovely art and a shaded outdoor balcony with stunning views. Each afternoon for a few hours there is a coffee machine, little biscuits, fruit and water for guests which is a thoughtful gesture.

 

How much does a room costs at Hotel Cascais Miragem?

 

Prices start 260$/night for Superior Double Room. The Premier Double Room with Sea View is 450$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

The premium rooms feature a panoramic frontal view of the Atlantic Ocean. These large rooms range between 38 m2 and 63 m2 in size and include a private terrace equipped with two sun loungers.

The modernly decorated unit has a 32″ LCD TV integrated in the mirror and additional facilities such as coffee maker, with a selection teas and coffee capsules. The private marble bathroom has a separate shower and luxury amenities

Where to book online – Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa –  Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais – you can find the best hotels deals in Cascais –  TENNIS ATP Tour – Estoril Open on Booking.com or Trip.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

 

2. Hotel Baia 2* Cascais – Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais

 

Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais
Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais

Situated in the centre of Cascais, just 20 m from Fishermans Beach, this hotel features an indoor rooftop pool and an outdoor terrace with panoramic ocean views.

Baia rooms have air conditioning and are decorated in warm colours. They come equipped with a telephone and TV. Some rooms feature Atlantic Ocean views.

The Baia Grill Restaurant offers traditional Portuguese cuisine and fresh seafood specialities. In the morning a buffet breakfast is served at the restaurant or on outdoor terrace.

Less than 30 km from Lisbon on the Estoril Coast, Hotel Baia has a privileged sea-front location, facing the Cascais Bay and offering a fabulous view of the ocean. The recently renovated Hotel Baia has 113 fully equipped rooms. Most of the rooms have a private balcony overlooking the sea. The Hotel Baia also has Conference Rooms with wireless Internet access, Banquet rooms for up to 150 people, private underground car park and our reputed Baia Restaurant.

Hotel Baia is very good hotel, sort distance from Cascais train station. There is beautiful view to the sea at 5th floor sun deck.

3 star hotel in the center of the town and if this suits your budget, then a stay here is a must. Hotel is spotless, great sea views, great variety for the buffet breakfast and the location in the town is very central. The rooftop bar is lovely spot for a coffee or drink with superb views.
Gay Bars, restaurants, train & bus stations are all a short walk away.

 

Another great stay at The Baia wonderful hotel has been redecorated since last visit <span class=”location-review-review-list-parts-text__hit–3EjUn”>beautiful colour scheme. Room was lovely comfy beds and great new pillows . Bathroom upgraded as well. Lovely balcony overlooking bay /beach in beautiful Cascais. Very good breakfast bar food is delicious. Great menu for restaurant though we never sampled it this visit. The location is superb and the staff are so friendly. Definitely recommend this beautiful hotel.

The location is perfect for long walks along the promenade 4 km one way which is a perfect distance to walk and come back and enjoy lunch, drinks etc on the way back at the many restaurants and cafes.

The hotel is very well placed on the seafront. We had a room on the 3rd floor with a balcony and sea view. Our balcony had partitions on each side to give privacy from the apartments on either side. I am not sure if it is the case but it looked as though the 2nd floor balconies were open so if this would not suit book a 3rd floor room. The room was spacious and spotless. The en-suite shower room again was very clean but the grouting in the shower is probably needing redone in the near future.

Hotel Baia Cascais
Hotel Baia Cascais

The beach was opposite the hotel but the roof terrace was more than adequate.
We opted for breakfast which was excellent with a good selection of hot and cold buffet style food.
The roof terrace is small so it fills very quickly which we realised by the second day when all the sun loungers were taken.

We were very pleased with all the services this hotel offers: their morning buffet is excellent and has a lot of variety: fresh fruits, cheeses, œufs au plat, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, croissant, healthy bread, detox drinks, even has espresso machine etc.

How much does a room costs at Hotel Baia Cascais?

 

Prices start 160$/night for Superior Double Room with City View. The Superior Double Room with Sea View is 200$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

Featuring 2 single beds or a double bed, this room includes Atlantic Ocean views.

Where to book online – Hotel Baia Cascais  –  Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais – you can find the best hotels deals in Cascais –  Festas do Mar Festival Concerts on Booking.com or Hotels.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

3. Cascais City & Beach Hotel  3* – Gay Hotels Cascais Portugal

 

Cascais City & Beach Hotel
Cascais City & Beach Hotel

 

Set in Cascais, 100 m from Rainha Beach, Cascais City & Beach Hotel features views of the city. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, a shared lounge and free WiFi throughout the property.

All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a coffee machine, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. At the hotel all rooms have a wardrobe and a private bathroom.

The location of this hotel is perfect, right downtown near the marina. The staff is absolutely the best – they let me check in early, check out late, and were extremely kind and willing to offer me recommendations. The room itself is fantastic, as is the bathroom. On top of everything, the value is jaw dropping.

Excellent location, very near to the train station, restaurants, shops. Rooms are new, super clean and very quiet. Good breakfast and staff very polite and helpful.

Gay Hotels Cascais
Gay Hotels Cascais

 

How much does a room costs at Cascais City & Beach Hotel?

 

Prices start 130$/night for Standard Double Room. The Deluxe Double Room is 150$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

 

Where to book online – Cascais City & Beach Hotel  –  Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais – you can find the best hotels deals in Cascais –  Festas do Mar Festival Concerts on Booking.com or Hotels.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

 

4. Eurostars Cascais 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais

 

Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais
Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais

Located 700 m from Boca do Inferno in Cascais, Eurostars Cascais welcomes guests with a restaurant and bar. The hotel has a seasonal outdoor pool and rooms with sea views, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant. Private parking is available on site.

All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Eurostars Cascais features free WiFi throughout the property.

In a spectacular location, you will feel the hotel’s beauty and tranquillity in any one of the 101 bedrooms, which all have a balcony and stunning views over the sea, the same sea that has inspired the interior design.

The hotel situated slightly outside of Cascais centre, its a quick walk into town, 15-20mins. We stayed on the top floor in a junior suite, with a balcony, was nice and quiet. The room has space, with 2 TV’s and the view was spectacular. The breakfast spread is decent, lots of sweet pastries, and savoury!

The walk to the promenade is short and great, with lots of restaurants nearby in a picturesque setting.

The hotel is about a kilometre on the outskirts of Cascais, near Boca do Inferno. It’s a good location and there’s an excellent restaurant – Entraguas – next door.

 

It’s a modern business hotel built recently. I believe all their rooms have full ocean views. The location is perfect for me as I want to be close to town but stay away from the hustle and bustle. I love walking, the promenade right outside the hotel stretches many kilometers north and east (check the map) with bicycle lane running along the side, the view is stunning so you won’t even realized the distance and time.

It’s an easy 30 mins stroll into town passing many tourist attractions e.g. Boca do Inferno, Farol de Santa Marta, Parque Marechal Carmona (the municipal park) plus many photo stops. The promenade via Cascais leads you to Estoril and beyond with countless beautiful beaches on the way. If you’re a good walker going north on the promenade you can get to Guincho Beach within 2 hours. Of course if you bike , a pity I don’t, you can go further, bike rentals are everywhere.

If you don’t want to walk there’s a loop bus route 405 and 415 passing right outside, look for the bus stops along the promenade, the bus looped between Quincho Beach and Cascais Bus Terminal which is right underneath the Cascais Villa Mall.

The Cascais Bus Terminal is where you can catch the 417 and 403 bus to Sintra (separate review). So much for the great location of Eurostar as for the food, I only have breakfast, it’s plentiful and excellent with hot and cold, varieties of cheeses, fruits and cold meat including smoked salmon. There’re eateries within walking distance, the Casa de Guía by the sea on the cliff is less than 10min walk away with lots of ocean view restaurants, cafes and shops.

Room very nice with sea view and balcony. Bed huge and linen good. Room has safe and minibar. Sleep quality good and hotel quiet, but some noise from road.  The king size bed was brilliant and the room was well looked after.

Rooms well designed and spacious, clean interiors, comfortable beds, great pillow selection. Climate control works great.

Eurostars Cascais
Eurostars Cascais

How much does a room costs at Eurostars Cascais?

 

Prices start 154$/night for Queen Room with Balcony and Side Sea View. The Junior Suite with Balcony and Sea View is 240$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This suite features a balcony, satellite TV and electric kettle.

Where to book online – Eurostars Cascais –  Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais – you can find the best hotels deals in Cascais –  Festas do Mar Festival Concerts on Booking.com or Hotels.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

5. Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa 5* – Gay Hotel Cascais

 

Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa
Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa

Our last recommendation for a gay friendly hotel in Cascais is a lovely 5* resort.

Former residence of the exiled Italian kings, Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa faces the Atlantic Ocean in Cascais. It features a thalasso spa with face and body treatments, a well-equipped gym and nearby golf courses.

The palatial rooms of Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa combine classical furnishings with modern appliances, including free WiFi and a flat-screen cable TV. The bathrooms include Italian marbles and Venetian mosaics.

Guests can indulge in Mediterranean flavours served in a sophisticated atmosphere at the Belvedere Restaurant. Guests can also have a cocktail or a glass of wine on the terrace overlooking the sea, at the on-site gastrobar, La Terraza Bar.

Grande Real Villa Italia is a result of the adaptation of the old houses where King Umberto II of Italy lived while exiled in Portugal from the 1950’s to the 1980’s.Located in the cosmopolitan city of Cascais, Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel & Spa represents excellence in design, sophistication and comfort.With the Atlantic Ocean as the predominant scenery, you can look towards the north and see the beautiful hills and castles of Sintra, while Lisbon is only a few minutes away.

The Grande Real Villa Italia is suitable for a luxury break for couples & gay couples and groups… it is located with 10 minutes walk of Cascais town and a shuttle bus away from some top-rated golf venues, not to mention it is overlooking the ocean! The hotel staff are incredibly friendly and helpful and really went above and beyond to make our stay fantastic. The terrace overlooking the pool area and the sea beyond is perfect for drinks and snacks whilst you watch the waves break over the rocks creating spectacular high spray.

The Grande Real Villa Italia is wonderfully located on the Atlantic coastline but only a 10 mins walk to the centre of Cascais. There is a walking and cycle path immediately in front of the hotel and it is possible to have long walks in both directions.

Gay Friendly Hotel Cascais
Gay Friendly Hotel Cascais

Very good & beautiful hotel, at fantastic location: the view over the ocean is super!
Not all rooms have sea view, yet many do. Very large suites are available too.

The property is lovely, especially the vista from the restaurants and in the pool area, spotless, and well-maintained. The location is excellent, facing the ocean, and it’s an easy walk to the center of Cascais or Boca do Inferno, which is spectacular. The breakfast was abundant and delicious; we enjoyed our dining experience in the hotel’s Italian restaurant. The decor — especially the tiles and the wood panelling — is exquisite.

This is for sure a hotel/holiday you do not want to leave even to go home. For one week every person we meet from the staff was smiling and helpful. The breakfast is wonderful, the room is big, clean and nice with a very beautiful bathroom. The bar, the garden and all the small sittings areas are with great atmosphere. Just love this place. The hotel is a short walk along the Marina from the center of Cascais

The pool is a good size that actually accommodates real swimming, with plenty of chairs to relax in if that’s more your style.

And what lovely spacious rooms they were! We were impressed with the well planned space, luxurious bathroom and large terrace. There was a complete array of amenities, toiletries, and a travel adapter.

How much does a room costs at Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa?

 

Prices start 290$/night for Deluxe Room. The Romantic Room  is 370$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This room type includes the following:

– Sparkling wine; – Chocolate truffle; – Fruit; – Late check-out upon availability.

Where to book online – Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa –  Gay Friendly Hotels Cascais – you can find the best hotels deals in Cascais –  Festas do Mar Festival Concerts on Booking.com or Trivago.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

by Sorin

Sorin is a freelance travel writer. He is an experienced travel writer and traveller. Since 2012 he explored more than 60 countries on 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Currently is based in Romania after spending the last 7 years in Myanmar.