Aethos Ericeira

Like so many Portuguese hotels, Aethos Ericeira almost seems too extraordinary to be true. Its clifftop location, in the middle of a nature reserve overlooking the Atlantic and the legendary surf beaches of Ericeira, makes for spectacular views and splendid isolation. And the hotel itself is eminently worthy of its setting; the design, by the Spanish studio Astet and the Portuguese architect Luís Pedra Silva, is impressively stylish and thoroughly tailored to the locale. Meanwhile the luxuries on offer are further proof that forward-looking design is perfectly compatible with high-end hospitality.

With 50 rooms and suites it’s not quite resort-like in scale, but it’s certainly resort-like in its substance; many of the rooms and all of the suites come with either private gardens or terraces, and both the living spaces and the bathrooms are spacious and well-equipped. There’s a substantial focus on health and wellness, which entails a heated pool, a gym, a dedicated surf concierge, and a hammam-focused spa. Meanwhile the restaurant, Onda, serves an elevated version of the Silver Coast seafood that was the original reason for the existence of the fishing village of Ericeira.