No doubt, Palácio Estoril is Lisbon’s most historically alluring hotel. The Palácio earned its place in European history books during the Second World War when Europe’s exiled and estranged elite came to shelter in the neutral luxury ofLisbon’s premier beachside residence.

The hotel played host to all manner of intrigue and subterfuge with German and Allied spies making up the rest of the guest roster at the time. As a result, the hotel is renowned for being Ian Fleming’s inspiration and subsequent film location for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – the concierge still proudly boasts of his cameo in the infamous film.

The hotel keeps its wartime romance with palatial touches throughout, but is brought into this century with a newly built Banyan Tree spa. Rooms keep their Old World charm with black marble bathrooms, regal drapes and high thread-count sheets. Suites are named after various European gentry that have stayed here
over the years and display panoramic views from the Casino Estoril inland, across the seaside town of Cascais and out toward the Atlantic.