Sublime Comporta

Rooms

The original 14 rooms are spread across two terracotta hued buildings The 2- 3- and 5-bedroom villas are dotted around the grounds. All-white minimalism is consistent, complemented by statement pieces such as gnarled wooden tables or Oriental porcelain urns. Grey concrete headboards and floors add to the contemporary feel and windows look out over private terraces to the trees.

The rooms and suites range from 25 to 50 sq.m., but all share the same airy style. Entry-level Friend’s Rooms are the smallest, some with kingsize beds, others queensize and all have their own private terrace. We liked the spacious 2-storey Guest's Suites: all have an open bathroom on a mezzanine level, and a kingsize bed and sitting area (plus a separate toilet) downstairs. The Owner’s Suite, on the top floor of the spa building, has 2 private terraces (one with a Jacuzzi tub) overlooking the infinity pool, and a wood-burning fireplace for cosy winter stays. Saunter downstairs to use the spa facilities.

Dotted around the pine forest is a growing collection of so-called Cabana Villas with 2 or more bedrooms. These are very spacious and cool, in a Scandi-chic way. Each consists of mini wooden chalets linked by open walkways, the central one in 2 bed villas being the living-dining area (with access to its private pool), while the others each contain a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. You can also book just one bedoom plus the living area: this is known as a Cabana Suite and includes use of the private pool.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Coffee maker
• Extra beds
• Hairdryer
• Phone
• Terrace
• Toiletries
• TV
• Underfloor heating
• WiFi

Eating

We loved the modern, open-plan restaurant with olive trees and vast floor to ceiling windows and a clear view of the chefs in the kitchen. The incredible breakfast is a tasty buffet featuring regional cheeses, rustic country breads, plentiful fresh fruit platters, yoghurts and cured hams and multiple fresh pastries and pastel de nata. There is also a choice of help yourself hot options including tortilla and scrambled eggs.

The Sem Porta restaurant is a welcome addition to Comporta’s growing culinary scene. The elegantly simple dining space is surrounded by windows overlooking the pool and pine forest; on balmier nights, you can sit outside beneath a canopy of stars. What the staff may lack in efficiency the make up for in enthusiasm. The aim is to offer authentic but elegant Portuguese food. On our visit we enjoyed snapper with green rice, and the seafood and fish rice. There was also a memorable bread basket with divine olive oil. Lunch is a lighter affair, with a simple menu of salads, soups and sandwiches.

Local restaurant recommendations include Dona bia, Museu do Arroz, Sal and Comporta Café.

Features include:

• Bar
• Children's meals
• Coffee maker
• Organic produce
• Picnics on request
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Get scrubbed and rubbed in the spa, after a dip in the indoor pool or outdoor rim-flow pool. There’s also a steam room, a sauna and semi-private sleeping pods
  
• Zen out with a yoga class in the yoga pavillion (book in advance) or get a rally going on the tennis courts
  
• Borrow a bike and cycle to Lake Açude, or one of the local beaches if you are feeling really energetic
  
• Learn to surf at Carvalhal’s surf school (the best time is autumn), or ask staff to arrange horse riding along the sand or through local rice fields
  
• Head to the Estuário nature reserve, north of Comporta, for a spot of birdwatching accompanied by a specialist guide
  
• Golf enthusiasts should head to Troia’s golf course, 28km from the hotel

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cycling
• Golf
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Well being
• Wine tasting
• Yoga

Kids

Children are very welcome in the villas. They are also accepted in the main hotel rooms, but the atmosphere is more tranquil and couple-oriented. The resort has a well-equipped kids play room with lots of toys, games and entertainers in the peak summer months, plus a small children's swimming pool.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Most villas sleep 4 in 2 bedrooms; Guests Suites have a double sofabed that can accommodate up to 2 children under 14 (or one extra guest over 14).

Distances:

• Airport: 1 hour 15 minutes (Lisbon)
• Shops: 7 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection