Image courtesy of Six Senses Douro Valley
Michelin launched its Key program in the first half of 2024, expanding its prestigious guide—long the golden standard for restaurants worldwide—to hotels. France, Michelin’s home, was the first destination to participate. A little over a year later, the list covers destinations from the United States and Canada to Spain and Japan. As of May 2025, Michelin Key hotels in Portugal have officially been announced.
Hotels are judged by a strict set of standards: Service, character, value, and cultural experience must all be consistent and exemplary. Additionally, Michelin Key hotels have striking interior designs and architecture. These criteria pave a path for boutique hotels to earn top Michelin Key honors alongside five-star properties.
You’ll find the complete list of Michelin Key hotels in Portugal below, with special attention given to properties that also happen to be Fora Advisor favorites.
Three-Key hotels
Only two hotels in Portugal earned three Michelin Keys. These properties represent the best of the best per Michelin’s criteria.
Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa
Image courtesy of Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa
The Algarve, one of the best places to visit in Portugal, makes up most of the country’s covetable southern coastline. Small seaside towns, golf courses, quiet beaches, a rugged natural interior, and luxe beach resorts define this region.
This three-Michelin-Key property sits on a hill surrounded by 54 acres of manicured gardens and ponds, with direct access to a private, white-sand beach. At the center of the resort, whitewashed walls and Moorish elements—like Moroccan lamp-like lighting, conical towers with intricate steeples, delicate patterns carved into gazebos and archways—are juxtaposed with Portuguese tilework and manicured greenery. Each space feels distinct.
Vila Vita Parc’s accommodations are as extensive as they are luxurious. Choose from three main lodging areas: expansive rooms and suites in the resort’s central building, two-story Oasis Suites along the cliffs, or wellness-focused Spa Suites. If you prefer more space, opt for the private villas. Off-property villas still have access to all of the resort’s amenities.
There are 12 restaurants and six bars across Vila Vita Parc’s 54 acres. The flagship offering, two-Michelin-Star Ocean, serves authentic Portuguese cuisine with an emphasis on local seafood. An elevated perch and ocean-facing glass walls enhance the setting. Other options include the Mizu Teppanyaki for Japanese flavors, Giardano for fine Italian cuisine, Aladdin for Moroccan fare, and several beachfront eateries that serve local, seasonal dishes. A vaulted subterranean wine cellar stows thousands of fine Portuguese and international vintages. Tastings and cellar tours are, of course, offered.
Wellness amenities include a spa designed in partnership with Sisley Paris. There are 12 treatment rooms, a sauna and steam baths, an indoor pool, a Hypoxi body‑sculpting studio, and a yoga studio in the gardens. Various wellness programs like personalized nutrition plans and fitness classes from water aerobics to surfing are available. Additional outdoor pools and a fitness center round out the wellness facilities, but non-wellness-focused activities are just as abundant: yacht excursions, kids’ and teens’ clubs, watersports like kayaking and sailing, and Portuguese cooking classes.
Fora Perks include a $100 resort credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Penha Longa Resort
Image courtesy of Penha Longa Resort
Family-friendly Penha Longa Resort is the only resort in the Sintra Cascais Nature Reserve. You’re near pine tree-filled hills, beautiful coastline, and Lisbon’s urban outskirts. Penha Longa itself is a landmark. Much of the resort was modeled after Portuguese palazzo-style architecture, all built around a 14th-century monastery. Marriott’s Ritz-Carlton brand purchased the property in the late 1990s and restored the original structures, including the 14th-century monastery on which the property is centered. Over 500 acres of gardens, trails, and vistas surround the main buildings.
Though technically under Marriott’s umbrella, Penha Longa Resort operates independently and has the vibe to match. There are 204 rooms and suites, plus apartments. Many have views of Penha Longa’s famous 27-hole golf course, which has hosted the Portuguese Open and Estoril Open, and all are furnished with marble bathrooms and locally inspired décor. Top-tier options include private terraces or patios, and the largest comfortably sleep up to eight adults.
This three-Michelin-Key hotel has two Michelin Star restaurants, including LAB by Sergi Arola and Midori, which fuses Portuguese and Japanese cuisine. There’s also Spices, which serves elevated Asian dishes, Arola for contemporary Portuguese, B Lounge for local pastries, Penha Longa Mercatto for Italian, and Aqua for light bites and cocktails by the pool. Private chef-led dining experiences are also available.
Penha Longa’s spa is surrounded by Sintra Cascais forest, and has over a dozen treatment rooms, plunge pools, a Jacuzzi, and manicured gardens with gazebos. The entire spa occupies a dedicated building just steps from the main resort area. The spa also sponsors tailored wellness programs, like massage therapies, garden yoga sessions, and fitness classes in the nearby fitness center.
The resort has several adults-only and family-friendly pools. There are tennis courts, a croquet lawn, a dedicated golf course for kids 15 and up, a Kid’s Club that includes supervised activities—-cooking classes, golf lessons, indoor and outdoor games—and guided excursions Sintra Cascais points of interests, like various historical landmarks and nearby beaches. Penha Longa’s golf academy offers pro-led lessons, club fittings, and practice facilities.
The resort is about an hour from Lisbon Airport (LIS) by car, or there’s a shuttle service. If you’re interested in a discerning stay within the city, check out the best luxury hotels in Lisbon.
Fora’s Marriott STARS partner perks include a $100 resort credit, a welcome amenity, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Two-Key hotels
There are 13 two-Michelin-Key hotels across Portugal. These properties have lots of character, with exemplary service and luxe amenities.
Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
Image courtesy of Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
Portugal’s Madeira is a Mediterranean-like archipelago off the coast of Morocco famous for its namesake wine, hiking opportunities, and the historic streets of Funchal, its capital. Reid’s Palace sits on a cliff above Funchal Bay, about a 10-minute drive from the city’s historic zone. The property dates back to the late 19th-century, when Madeira was just starting to regularly welcome Portuguese and European tourists, including famous figures like Winston Churchill (there’s even a suite named after him). Neo-Baroque design dominates the property, with a soft color palette, vintage furnishings, and floral prints.
Stone steps and an elevator descend to a swimming platform and enclosed ocean pool (if you’d rather not swim directly in the bay). Two additional pools—one freshwater, the other saltwater—are located on the palace grounds, which are otherwise filled with lawns, terraces, and gardens. An oceanfront spa offers indoor and outdoor treatments, plus a range of treatments based on locally sourced botanicals like aloe vera. A fitness center, sunrise yoga, and art workshops complement the resort’s wellness experiences. Curated excursions are another big draw; expect 4x4 tours to Madeira’s peaks, boat rides to other islands in the archipelago, and tours of Funchal’s famous gardens.
Dining at Reid’s Palace is exactly what you would expect from a Michelin Key-caliber hotel. William Restaurant sources ingredients from the archipelago. Villa Cipriani specializes in Tuscan fare. Briso do Mar offers al fresco seafood. The Pool Terrace serves hearty breakfasts and lighter cuisine. Afternoon tea and private dining experiences, including Portuguese cooking classes, are also available.
Fora’s Belmond Bellini Club partner perks include welcome amenities, daily breakfast, and an upgrade whenever possible.
The Reserve
Image courtesy of Fora X Advisor Eliza Belogolovskaia
The Reserve is unique among Portuguese Michelin Key hotels in that it’s composed of the best accommodations, service, and experiences offered by another hotel, Savoy Palace, on the same property in Funchal. A private elevator separates the two hotels. The Reserve is a lavish boutique stay, while the Palace is ideal for a more traditional hotel experience. However, as a Reserve guest, you can still enjoy all of Savoy Palace’s offerings, including its Laurea Spa, pools, fitness center, and restaurants.
The Reserve occupies floors 16–21 of Savoy Palace, and has 40 rooms and suites—all with bespoke décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bathrooms, and furnished balconies or sun decks with private plunge pools. There are two- and three-bedroom suites available for groups and families. If you’re feeling social, The Reserve has an exclusive lounge, Jacarandá Club. Additional experiences at The Reserve include complimentary yoga and Tai Chi classes, special amenities at Madeira’s golf courses, and bespoke private experiences like afternoon tea, sushi-making classes, and Madeira wine tasting.
Fora Reserve perks include a €100 food and beverage credit, a complimentary bottle of wine and welcome amenity, complimentary access to the spa, daily breakfast, and an upgrade whenever possible.
Six Senses Douro Valley
Image courtesy of Six Senses Douro Valley
Six Senses Douro Valley, named for Portugal’s famed wine region, is a world-class spa resort. Contemporary design—vertical gardens, glass walls, distressed wood floors—meets 19th-century architecture for an experience that’s both fresh and thematic. Many of the property’s spa products, like vinotherapy scrubs and massage oils, are designed around the botanical properties of Douro Valley grapes.
This two-Michelin-Key hotel in Portugal is built around a historic manor overlooking the Douro River, about 1.5 hours from downtown Porto or the Porto Airport (OPO). Vineyards and restored terraces occupy all directions leading from the resort. Inside, heavy use of natural stone and wood fulfills Six Senses’ eco-conscious goals and design-forward aesthetic, while bold, hip art and décor bring color to the equation.
Six Senses Douro Valley’s main restaurant celebrates local, farm-to-table cuisine and valley wines—many ingredients come from the resort’s own gardens. In summer, a pop-up-style restaurant opens in the gardens. The menu is similar, but the al fresco experience is meant to be more communal. If you prefer something snack-size, the Quinta Bar and Lounge serves Portuguese tapas and cocktails.
Six Senses’ spa is one of the top reasons to stay. Bespoke treatments include forest bathing, cryotherapy, and a special sauna suite that has a laconicum—a dry sauna inspired by an ancient Spartan tradition—herbal sauna, infrared sauna, and steam room. The main indoor pool is equipped with underwater sound therapy, color therapy, and massage jets. A fitness center, 10 private treatment rooms, and a yoga studio round out the hotel’s wellness offerings. You can even sign up for a personalized, multi-day wellness program. Six Senses Douro Valley offers curated experiences like vineyard tours (including a traditional grape-stomping activity), river cruises, and mountain-biking trails.
For a Mediterranean spin on your Six Senses stay, their Rome location is among Italy’s Michelin Key hotels.
Fora’s IHG Destined partner perks include a $100 resort credit, a welcome amenity, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
More two-Key hotels to love
Vila Joya
Les Suites at The Cliff Bay - PortoBay
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
Vermelho Melides
Torre de Palma Wine Hotel
Bela Vista Hotel & Spa
Vidago Palace
Quinta do Paral
The Lince Santa Clara
Vinha Boutique Hotel
One-Key hotels
Portugal’s one-Key hotels celebrate local culture, pamper you with luxury amenities and service, and provide stellar value compared to other hotels at their price point.
Sublime Comporta
Image courtesy of Sublime Comporta
Sublime Comporta is a contemporary resort amid 42 acres of pine and cork trees, rice fields, and sand dunes. Comporta’s beaches are minutes away, and Lisbon is less than an hour away. This Michelin Key hotel has 90 accommodations, split between entry-tier guest rooms, high-end suites, and cabana-style villas. Bio-Pool Suites will especially appeal if you appreciate eco-conscious design. These cabin-like suites surround a large bio-pool, which replaces traditional pool chemicals with an ecosystem of aquatic plants for a similar effect.
Thoughtful design continues with avant-garde interiors and high-tech touches like underfloor heating. Rustic décor—wicker-framed art and accents, premium fabrics—maintain a connection to nature. Other common in-room amenities include indoor/outdoor fireplaces, spacious terraces, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
In addition to the bio-pool, there are traditional outdoor pools for families or adults, as well as a heated indoor pool at Sublime Spa. Stay active with yoga, Pilates, and meditation sessions; tour the resort grounds on bike, or enjoy foodie-oriented experiences around Sublime’s gardens and restaurants. Kids can enjoy dedicated yoga, tennis, or cookie-cutting classes (there’s a babysitting service, too). If you’d like to venture beyond the resort, Sublime’s local partners facilitate experiences like dolphin watching, horseback riding, and wine tasting in Comporta.
Fora Reserve perks include a $100 resort credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Vila Foz Hotel & Spa
Image courtesy of Vila Foz Hotel & Spa
Vila Foz Hotel & Spa was given new life by acclaimed Portuguese designer Nini Andrade Silva. The hotel’s architecture is true to its 19th-century roots, but a contemporary minimalist style brings a stylish flair to the Michelin Key hotel. The hotel is on the outskirts of Porto’s Atlantic coast. Each of the 66 rooms and suites boasts custom-made furniture designed by Andrade Silva, gilded bathrooms, and intimate lighting.
Michelin Star Vila Foz Restaurant serves creative Portuguese cuisine in an open-kitchen concept. For a low-key experience, enjoy a slimmed down menu at Flor de Lissip or cocktails at Vila Fox Bar. Vila Foz Hotel’s garden spa has a gym, indoor pool, sauna, and Turkish bath with sea-inspired treatments and botanicals. You can also surf, paddleboard, go wine tasting on a private yacht, or take advantage of curated excursions into Porto or the Douro Valley.
Fora Reserve perks include a complimentary bottle of port wine, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
São Lourenço do Barrocal
Image courtesy of São Lourenço do Barrocal
Alentejo’s São Lourenço do Barrocal was built in the 1800s as a private retreat for an affluent Portuguese family before it was eventually converted—partially—into a farmstead for the better part of two centuries. The now-boutique hotel still operates as a farm, which provides ingredients for the São Lourenço do Barrocal restaurant and a rustic backdrop for the hotel’s accommodations. Like all Michelin Key properties, design is a focal point of São Lourenço do Barrocal—interiors are contemporary and stylish, but pay homage to the property’s heritage with thematic art and décor, like photos of the original farm, traditional Portuguese ceramics, and native potted plants.
From spacious Barn Cottages that comfortably sleep six to cozy farm rooms for two, São Lourenço do Barrocal’s accommodations cater to all travelers, including families. The hotel’s restaurant specializes in traditional Alentejo cuisine made from seasonal ingredients: hearty Mediterranean-like dishes that emphasize ingredients such as garlic, lamb or Iberian pork, tomatoes, and regional spices. Treatments at the hotel’s cozy Susanne Kaufmann Spa even feature local ingredients.
Fora Perks include a $100 spa or horseback riding credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
More one-Key hotels to love
Areias do Seixo Hotel
Herdade da Malhadinha Nova
Quinta São Jose do Barrilario Douro Wine Hotel e Spa
VILLA EXTRAMUROS
MS Collection Aveiro - Palacete Valdemouro
Aethos Ericeira
3HB Faro
Luz Charming Houses Fátima
Salvaterra Country House & SPA
Quinta da Casa Branca
Savoy Palace
Spatia Comporta
The Wine House Hotel - Quinta da Pacheca
Art Legacy Hotel Baixa-Chiado
Bairro Alto Hotel
Brown's Avenue Hotel
Palácio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel
Santiago de Alfama - Boutique Hotel
Sublime Lisboa
The One Palácio da Anunciada
Pousada de Lisboa, Praça do Comércio
Casa das Penhas Douradas
Casa de São Lourenço
Quinta de São Bernardo Winery & Farmhouse
Torel Quinta da Vacaria - Douro Valley
White Exclusive Suite & Villas
GA Palace Hotel & Spa
Hotel Torel Avantgarde
Maison Albar - Le Monumental Palace
PortoBay Flores
Torel 1884
Torel Palace Porto
Quinta de Silvalde
Casas da Lapa, Nature & Spa Hotel
Colégio Charm House
Conversas de Alpendre
The Yeatman
More Michelin Key hotels around the world
Check out more Michelin Key hotels in destinations like Mexico and Japan. Or connect with a Fora Advisor for tailored recommendations (at Michelin Key hotels or otherwise) and travel advice.