If Portugal has you at a loose-end or overwhelmed, you might be inclined to visit the Praia D’El Rey Beach Resort.

Catering to a spate of British and international clientele, the Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort has positioned itself as an oasis of calm only one hour north of Lisbon.

The hotel is perched in front of an expansive stretch of golden beach on Portugal’s Silver Coast and is a veritable haven for surfer afficionados.

The resort comprises the main hotel, replete with all the 5 star amenities one would expect of a Marriott resort: a luxury spa, a tennis academy, a health club and five restaurants. The complex is also home to two world-class golf courses – including West Cliffs, named the ‘World’s Best New Course’.

In addition to this, the hotel boasts a snug community of individuals, many of whom own villas or holiday residences within the complex.

We stayed in the main hotel in a double room. The rooms are large and tastefully decorated, with unmatched views of the coast on any given morning.

We loved the friendly atmosphere throughout the hotel – from the main bar/restaurant with live music, to the spa area where elegant ladies commingle.

The hotel manages to maintain both the ‘foreign’ Portuguese element, all the whilst promoting a relaxed homely atmosphere. So whether you have feasted on Portuguese culture in Lisbon or the nearby Odibos, you can be sure you will feel completely relaxed and at home at the Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort when you return.

www.praia-del-rey.com