Martinhal Cascais

The Martinhal family hotel is an excellent venue for a family break. Not overcrowded with great pool facilities that my 8 year old son loved. The food selection is very good and the hotel location near Sintra and Lisbon enables days out exploring. The kids club is probably aimed at younger children and my son did not use it but in summary this was a great place to relax and unwind.

We stayed two nights in July and were very impressed by the staff and family friendly set up. Children's play areas are excellent and facilities are extensive. Rooms were great with bunk beds built in for kids. The resort caters for families in every way and the staff were fantastic. Our daughter had the best few days as a result. Restaurants on site were pleasant with child activities to keep kids engaged whilst allowing parents some time to eat peacefully though the food choices were quite narrow. Fortunately Cascais is just a few minutes drive away as are restaurants on the coast further north if the main restaurant becomes boring. Overall a great set up. We will definitely book again and return to this or a sister resort. The groups founder certainly has the right idea and one we would hope could be replicated elsewhere in the world.

We had a fabulous holiday. The staff were attentive, the food was delicious and the facilities were first rate. Although smaller than their Sagres hotel, there was so much to keep the children happy that we will definitely return! It was also very easy to visit Sintra and Cascais so a good place to combine lazing by the pool with sightseeing. The family room with bunk beds was very well designed so we didn't feel we compromised by sharing a room. The rooms were beautifully soundproofed and quiet. The resort was full but didn't feel overcrowded as the various pools and play areas are nicely spread out. The kids corner (tucked away) in the restaurant is inspired as it allows everyone to enjoy relaxing meal times. If I was really searching for negatives...the pool hangout pool was unheated so pretty cold (but the spa pool was heated), they only sold premium ice cream so quite expensive for a quick treat (a cornetto would have been welcome), the toilets in the public areas were beautifully clean and tidy but our children (6+4) couldn't reach the soap which is a small oversight in what is otherwise a hotel superbly designed with children in mind. Special thanks to Alessanda and Vanessa in the restaurant, both Joam's in the bar, and Carolina in kids club for making it a memorable holiday. We are planning our next trip and next time might try a night or two in your Lisbon hotel en route to Cascais. Thank you Martinhal!

Second visit to the hotel, as stayed this time last year, and again a very enjoyable stay. Some very nice improvements to the kids club area - adding trampoline and covering the pool were both great and bringing table tennis, and pool toys to the pool hangout area was a good idea - saved a lot of toing and froing. Pool table was also a popular spot for my son... Rooms big, light, airy and very clean, we had double and a sofa bed as 3 of us..very comfy. Evening food much better than last year in Terrace Hotel - buffet option improvement for kids, especially the younger ones. M Bar at kids club open in evening this year which gave another option, largely Italian choice, but good pizza and lasagne. Only slight criticism is that the food is still a little overpriced, but only a minor quibble, and there are plenty of places to eat in Cascais if you prefer. Breakfast very good - again buffet option a good one for kids to help themselves, while you enjoy your coffee. All staff very friendly and helpful, and happy to recommend restaurants and activities in town...if you love Sushi go to LOVIT at Casa da Gia - also do Burgers for kids. Easy taxi service into Cascais - about 10 mins and 7/8 Euros if you don't want to drive Loads to do and kids made good friends to play with, so I even had time to read a book! The whole place is geared to cater to younger families and I would say achieves its aim very well. I would suggest if kids are heading towards teens then this might not be quite 'old' enough for them... My two are both 10 and have asked to go back again...!

Stunning rooms, comfortable beds, cute clean and super soft mattress on the kids bunk bed, gorgeous bathrooms, decent food an all round fabulous hotel, top class facilities for children! I simply have never seen the likes of their playground/ kids area. Top class resort