Luxury holidays Portugal: Martinhal Cascais with kids
We spent October half term on a luxury family holidays Portugal and still can not stop raving about . And here’s our Martinhal Cascais review, a gem of a hotel and charming seaside town by Lisbon. The 4 years old cried as we left, hugging Martinhal’s Rafi, who now gets to swap Portugal to Holland Park and London. Cascais with kids has been a blast and Martinhal Cascais booking an exquisite choice.
We have done quite a bit of fine family hotels in the last 4 years with our kids but we rarely felt so at ease or in love. Some of the family hotels were just a stark realisation that our lives have changed, we can no longer climb errupting volcanoes, go diving or partying as we wish, indulge good food or travel in style with our kids.
But Martinhal Cascais booking demonstrated us effortlessly that one can really have it all on a holiday with kids.
The set up has been very carefully designed and well thought f: one could have breakfast in peace, cappuccino still with with foam on; lunch by the pool lying on sun-chair sunbathing with little ones splashing around; dine & wine at Mbar watching sunset over pine-trees whilst the kids are having a blast in the garden and adventure playground.
There’s also a kidsclub from 9-6pm (one should book in advance for school holidays) catering for all ages in separate and beautifully bespoke areas: 6 months old to teens; plus kids corners at breakfast (inside and outside) and Martinhal mascots Rafi and Rositta coming by.
Unless you have a strong willed toddler ( like ours), one does not need an ipad on Martinhal Cascais with kids holiday.
The parents around are also good fun and quite an eclectic mix of Europeans – we never had a dull conversation or a moment. Hats off again to Martinhal for such a diverse and beautiful crowd. Conversations flew over aperols, at the pool or dinner; kids made friends instantly and personnel is warm and accommodating, going the extra mile entertaining.
Food choices are great for all parties: from bellinis at breakfast, to all sorts of fresh fruit, to Portuguese specialities, casual Italian and seafood delights.
Dinners at Terracao are very smartly organised with buffet options for kids – so they get to see, pick themselves and if they are starved and impatient like ours, eat straight away whilst parents enjoy an aperitivo. The wines are superb, our favourite by far has been a Esporao Alentejo Reserva 2015 that we got us completely hooked.
One may easily overindulge in such circumstances, and with friends joining us for a birthday celebration, the parents had quite a blast. For overtired little ones, wifi is impeccable around the hotel, so one could opt for a baby monitor on the phone and parents at the bar. One evening we also booked a sitter to stay with our sleeping overtired kids and us headed with friends to Furnas do Guincho – superb fresh seafood restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
One does not need to postpone freestyle adventurous holidays on family holidays near Lisbon – Martinhal has the options for parents to indulge in with or without kids. Restless parents could go surfing, kayaking or paddle boarding in Cascais or sailing even to Lisbon. There are bikes for all ages and abilities; luxurious and great value for money transfers and many Portuguese beauties like Cascais, Sintra or Lisbon to be explored around. For Lisbon, one has also the option of dropping the little ones to sibbling Martinhal Chiado kidsclub that runs sessions until 10pm. For a great list of suggestions for Lisbon head to Savy Globetrotter’s post 10 best things to do, see and eat and for a review of Martinhal Chiado check the Minitravellers’ cool review in here.
Design wise, Martinhal Cascais is sleek and contemporary whilst very kids friendly. We stayed in an elegant room overlooking the pool – huge bathroom with a transparent glass charged with positive messages in various languages.
There’s no attention spared to detail and as we arrived there were 2 goodie bags for our kiddies – both with flip flops, hats and a little present: fluffy Rafi for our 18 months old (Martinhal cutest fox mascot) and a ball for our 4 years old.
There are 5 pools to pick from including an impeccable luxurious child friendly spa – truly luxury family holidays Portugal.
Outside pool and pool hangout area have very shallow areas perfect for babies and toddlers – our 18 months old just roamed freely completely absorbed in so many toys and amazing discoveries whilst we sipped aperols and caught up with friends.
There’s trampoline, table tennis, football area, lots of games around and a lot of Zen for the parents: pine trees and blue skies, this area end of October on our family holidays near Lisbon looked unbelievably green and so untouched by the autumnal season.
The spa area design is equally smart and sleek, lovely terraced overflowing little pools with pebbles – therapeutically feng shui and visually stunning.
We spent most of our swimming time in here as both outside and inside pools were heated – best for our 18 months old and our 4 years old who would easily spend 2 hours per day in the water.
The 5th pool is by the kidsclub and playground – a beautiful transparent dome roof and a great set up for the first swim classes.
The country is known as the California of Europe but we did not expect to be so spoilt in Cascais with kids. End of October and for 4 days summer was still on: over 25 C degrees reaching occasionally even 30C.
We left Portugal in love, so sad to leave Martinhal (to be actually read devastated for our 4 years old) and fully energised. So in a nutsell Martinhal Cascais reviews are just glorious! Looking forward to going back soon!
For more impressions on Sintra, Cascais and a something more visual, check our article published with Trips 100 UK. For further Portuguese inspiration, check our article on Vila Vita and best things to do in Algarve and more Martinhal bliss in Sagres.
Luxury family holidays near Lisbon: Martinhal Cascais – gratitude
Travelling to Portugal during the pandemic. Being fully vaccinated and travelling from UK to Portugal was easy, just a couple of extra forms and tests. For coming back to London we booked our private tests 3 days ahead of our travels and thereafter booked for London Day 2 private tests. The travelling guidance has been fluid though, always best to check the latest UK Foreign travel advice.
Disclaimer: we enjoyed 2 nights complimentary stay and one night with a press rate in exchange of Martinhal Cascais reviews – many thanks again for warmth, hospitality and impeccable services. Pictures, opinions, enthusiastic cheeky kids – entirely ours.
56 comments on “Luxury holidays Portugal: Martinhal Cascais with kids”
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Sounds like a delightful family holiday. It’s great when everything works out and everyone is happy #ExplorerKids
Indeed Nicky! Spot on, thanks for stopping by!
Wow this certainly looks luxurious and the fact it is also family friendly is very appealing 🙂
I know Helen, such a mix is so rare and so appreciated!
Wow looks like you had an incredible time – 5 pools what a treat!
Indeed and the weather was truly amazing! Thanks for stopping by!
This looks like reflection for me. I am on a mission to show luxury and family travel
Then definitely Martinhal resorts should be on your list! Do shout if you have questions and we can help!
That looks so beautiful and relaxing. I love when resorts cater to families this way. It’s so hard to really relax on vacation if you are still “on” for your kids 24/7. Your photos are lovely!
~Jess
#ExplorerKids
Thank you Jess! Could not agree more on being there for the kids but attempting to have a holiday yourself 😉
This place looks DREAMY! So rare that places get it totally right: Luxury and good for kids. #citytripping
Warmly recommending, the mix is great indeed!
What a great place to stay! The pool area looks gorgeous, and I love that there are activities on offer such as paddle boarding, sailing and cycling – we would just love that! Thanks for sharing
Hope you get to go soon!
Looks utterly fabulous!
#citytripping
I stayed at one of the sister resort and they are just brilliant with kids – i like the fact you can use the Chiado facilities if you go into Lisbon as well. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Pleasure Cathy! Did you stay at Sagres or Quinta de Lago and how did you find it?
What a beautiful resort and looks fab for the kids. Thanks for sharing all your tips. Mandy x #ExplorerKids
Pleasure to link in Mandy! X
We are visiting here in February and after reading this, I really cannot wait!!
I can easily imagine that Kara 😉 /keep me posted on your impressions pls!
It looks really nice there. Mine would be in the pools too they love swimming and it sounds like there are plenty of them.
Absolutely Melanie, tones of fun for kiddies and zen for parents !
Really impressed! This looks like a brilliant family holiday! It’s definitely somewhere we’d consider! Thanks for sharing!
Warmly recommending!
Those pools look extraordinary! What a place to visit! #explorerkids xoxo
Thank you Lisa, the pools are super nice but I am also sure you’d love Cascais and Sintra – both are exquisite! X
Looks like a really nice place to stay, with lots to do for both parents and kids
Thank you Steph, tones of fun for kids and Zen for parents!
This place looks fab! I’m sure everyone enjoyed.
Absolutely Lauretta, fab! The kids are still asking me weekly basis about going back to Portugal and Martinhal 😉
This looks stunning! What a brilliant family resort. I love family holidays and think they offer such a special time to reconnect and relax as a family.
Stunning indeed and much appreciated – it is so much easier to relax and reconnect when the design is impeccable, srvice is flawless and everyone looked after!
Oh amazing. What a beautiful hotel with so much on offer. I have never been to Portugal before. Sarah #ExplorerKids
Warmly recommending both Portugal and Martinhal resorts, hope you get to go soon!
My word! This sound and look like heaven no wonder your boy is absolutely in tears over this. I would be too! Bless his little heart. Such a beautiful hotel and well done, you did an awesome job being their rep. for the week. This well definitely be on my list now!
Thank you so much for linking up with us on #ExplorerKids
Thank you Su, pleasure to link in! Hoping you get to go soon as well, Martinhal is such a treat!
The name of my post caught my attention since for a weird reason I am subscribed to the newsletter of this resort. I think they got my e-mail address on a travel show. Anyway, it is good to actually know how the place look. It is so posh! I would like to stay there too! #MondayEscapes
I hope you get to go soon Ruth, Martinhal Cascais is utterly fab! And thanks for stopping by!
Goodness me, that looks like such a lovely place to stay! #MondayEscapes
Lovely indeed Tania and that helps so much having a fab time on a holiday!
Amazing hotel! We have to try it soon, also!
Hopefully soon & together as well in Sagres? 😉
Oh wow this looks like a stunning resort! Thanks for all the tips re: kids clubs etc. I absolutely adore Portugal so I’m going to pin this for future use. I love the look of the sleek interiors and pool areas. Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes
Pleasure to link in Lisa! Hope you get to go back soon to Portugal and get to stay with Martinhal – exquisite experience for the whole family !
Whaaaa, this place looks really cool. I love this area in Portugal but never visited Cascais just yet. SO on the list now!!
#FarawayFiles
Warmly recommending Esther, we also have a video on Cascais area, do check it out! X
I’m so desperate to stay at one of the Martinhal properties – they all look and sound so fabulous. Bellinis at breakfast? How indulgent is that! What a great feature to be able to drop of your little ones in the Lisbon hotel while you do a bit of grown-up sightseeing. #farawayfiles
I hope you get to stay soon Clare, the Martinhals are indeed fabulous! Chitra Stern, the entrepreneur behind the brand is such a visionary and inspirational mum of 4 – all planned and executed at perfection for superb family holidays all parties! And we are one bunch quite difficult to be pleased 😉
One of the things I love the most about travel is the dedicated family time! Sounds like this is the place to get it! #farawayfiles
Absolutely Hilary and it helps hugely for everyone to be looked after so well!
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