A hidden gem in the Alentejo, 1.5 hours from Lisbon.
This summer I took a three-week journey across different regions in Portugal. I had been to Lisbon. Porto, the Algarve and beyond. For the last leg of my trip I was looking for an upscale, tranquil escape from the hustle of shuffling through different cities. I decided on a stay at the beautiful, AlmaLusa Comporta and it did not disappoint.
LOCATION
Comporta is a small sleepy village on the northwest coast of the Alentejo region. You won’t find an abundance of ride-shares, taxis or public transportation. While you could easily walk to a fair amount of restaurants in town and the beach, I would recommend renting a car to explore other parts of the Setubal region or to visit wineries and beaches nearby.
Parking onsite is easy and there is even an electric car charging station. The property is not completely secluded or remote as it is located right off a main road. Nearby you’ll find many restaurants, boutiques, the rice fields, a winery and loads of residential homes. The hotel feels like part of the town rather than being removed from it or being the center.
THE SERVICE
I arrived in a rental car after a short 1.5 hour journey from Lisbon. I was greeted with a warm smile in a beautifully decorated lobby offering fresh citrus water and fruits. While my room wasn’t ready, the receptionist gave me a private tour of the facilities and gave me the 411 on where to eat and what to do during my stay. I was able to grab breakfast at a cafe within walking distance, catch up on some work and get a quick facial at their onsite spa while I waited for my room to be ready.
Side note: while the facial was nice and refreshing and I LOVED my esthetician, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this place for someone wanting a spa experience. The spa treatment rooms are outside and while beautifully decorated it's difficult to fully relax with noises from outside.
THE ROOMS
When it was time to check-in, I was upgraded to a Pool Suite. This suite was 387 sq ft and featured a single room with a king size bed, a living space with a sofa bed, a dining area and a kitchen stocked with complimentary still and sparkling water, coffee and essential cooking utensils.
The whole suite was decorated in typical Comporta fashion - a mix of understated luxury and worldly furnishings in a warm color palette. The sliding glass door of the bedroom led directly out to the pool and a furnished outdoor sitting area, the perfect nook for reading a vacation novel in the late afternoon.
The hotel is boutique in nature, with just 52 rooms on property. Of that 31 of the rooms are suites. Guests are able to choose from a wide assortment of suites with different viewpoints and characteristics. The Terrace Suite has a view overlooking the rice fields and a fully furnished private outdoor terrace. The garden suites offer a fully furnished outdoor area, great for al fresco dining. In fact, most rooms and all suites offer a private outdoor space, adding an extra nod to the atmosphere of solitude that the destination embraces.
WHAT I LOVED
The Suite: My room was immaculately clean, comfortable and cozy. It was one of those places that felt upscale, but not untouchable. All of the amenities - the slippers, the plush robe, and the bath products - added to the lush ambiance and made everyday feel like I got to romanticize life a little bit more.
The Breakfast: My favorite part of my stay was breakfast. In the morning, the Duna Breakfast Room offers an excellent spread of breads, fresh fruits, meats, cheeses, local jams and fresh juices. There is also a menu with made to order items like eggs benedict and pancakes. You can opt to eat outside by the pool or inside the restaurant. Although breakfast is only served from 8am to 11am, if you have an early check-out like I did, the staff will prepare a boxed breakfast for you to take with you on the go!
The Concierge: If you’re staying for a few nights it’s easy to take advantage of their concierge service. The hotel provides a loaner smartphone with destination tips, an overview of the hotel’s amenities and services and a hotline to reach someone if you have any issues or questions during your stay. The staff can arrange tours or make dinner reservations for you.
The Programming: While you’re here, you can also indulge in some of the resort's light programming offers - daily walking tours of Comporta Village, fitness classes onsite, and specialty workshops. The pool is refreshing and is joined by a pool bar where you can order cocktails, wines and snacks (I recommend getting the oysters!). It’s a beautiful and serene space to relax and just forget about the outside world for a while.
WHO SHOULD STAY HERE?
Due to the amount of available room types, I believe this hotel is well-suited for all types of travelers. Families and digital nomads staying for extended periods of time would appreciate the spacious suites and fully stocked kitchens while travelers on a shorter stay would be content in a Garden Room with a beautiful view and private outdoor space. I can see this being a great stay for couples, a relaxing girls trip or a chill solo vacation.
THE VERDICT?
Overall, I would highly recommend this place to clients and can’t wait to come back on my next visit to Comporta!
HOW TO BOOK
Before you head to Expedia to secure your reservation, check out some of the perks you get when you book with us.
As an independently operated, boutique travel company, we partner with the best luxury and boutique properties across the world to get you the VIP treatment you deserve.
With these partnerships we can offer the same rates (or better), than any online booking platform or even the hotel website. Plus, you'll get exclusive perks you won't find anywhere else.
PERKS WHEN YOU BOOK WITH US:
Upgrade to next room category, based upon availability at check-in.
Guaranteed 2pm late check-out.
AlmaLusa Teddy Bear and chocolate cake delivered to your room on arrival.
20 EUR hotel credit per room, per day.
Booking with us is easy, just fill out this form with your dates. Once complete we'll send you the rates and then get you booked (with perks)!
If you are embarking on a longer journey to Portugal and want a personalized itinerary from someone who has - been there, done that - check out our planning services here,
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