< PORTUGAL | ESTORIL: Palácio Estoril Hotel Golf & Spa

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Located in the heart of Estoril, just 20 minutes from the centre of Lisbon, the Palácio is one of Europe's great hotels, set in beautiful gardens and with outstanding views over Estoril and the Bay of Cascais. It was designed by the French architect Henry Martinet, and opened its doors on 30th August 1930. Ever since, it has been enchanting successive generations of guests from the four corners of the globe. From its imposing, white facade and beautiful gardens to its elegant classic decor, the Palácio is intertwined with the history of Europe and the world.

During the Second World War, due to Portugals neutrality several royal families went into exile in Estoril, which became known as the Coast of Kings. The Hotel Palácio was the chosen home of numerous members of European royalty and was also the haunt of British and German spies, who could often be found in its bar. Later, these stories of intrigue and espionage inspired famous novelists and filmmakers and the Hotel served as the set for the James Bond movie "On Her Majesty's Secret Service".

The Palácio Estoril was the second home of the Spanish, Italian, French, Bulgarian and Romanian royal families, and even today remains a favourite with their descendants. In February 2011, the Royal Gallery was created in their honour, where you can view photographs of the important members of European royalty who stayed at the Hotel. The Royal Gallery is now also one of Estoril's tourist attractions.

In 1968, the sixth film of the James Bond saga, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," was largely shot in Portugal and the cast including the Australian actor George Lazenby and the English actress Diana Rigg stayed at the Hotel Palácio Estoril. The exterior of the Hotel, the lobby, the pool and the rooms’ view, are an integral part of many of the scenes of the film that was released in 1969. At the time, the pool had been recently built.

From the beginning, the Palácio has hosted heads of state, emperors, kings and princes, European nobility, the world's great artists, writers, sports champions, filmmakers and actors and many politicians who have shaped the destiny of the West. Private or State visits, festivals and major summits bring to the Palácio a long list of distinguished guests who mingle in the public rooms and corridors with all the Hotel's other patrons. In the public rooms, corridors and even at breakfast one can often come across a Crown Prince, a film director, a European sovereign, an actress or an internationally renowned musician.

The Palácio has been updated and has benefited from several refurbishments and renovations. Today, it offers all the comfort and convenience of a modern luxury five-star hotel while retaining all its charm of the golden days.

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