The Ritz Carlton Penha Longa Resort Review

Between the lush hills of Sintra and the sun-drenched shores of Cascais lies a luxury resort that captures Portugal’s finest elements into one remarkable destination. The Ritz Carlton Penha Longa Resort captures the country’s culinary prowess, wine excellence, captivating landscapes, and historical heritage within its historic 220-hectare estate. While the championship golf course, destination spa, and seven distinctive restaurants might draw you initially, it’s the refined authenticity of the Portuguese welcome – sophisticated yet genuinely warm – that creates the desire to return

Portugal has emerged with quiet confidence onto the global stage. The country is now justly recognised for its gastronomy, wines, natural beauty, and slightly reserved yet profoundly authentic hospitality that continues to seduce visitors seeking experiences with depth and character. Each visit to this compelling country reveals something new for me, and my stay at Penha Longa proved no exception.

Location

The resort occupies a privileged position within Sintra Natural Park, where centuries of history blend seamlessly with contemporary luxury. The property’s 14th-century monastery and chapel remain at the heart of the estate, now thoughtfully reimagined as an events and weddings venue.

Adjacent to the monastery, with its beautiful architecture and historic decorated tiles, is the Penha Longa Spa & Wellness pavilion, creating a sanctuary of relaxation with a contemplative garden.

The estate unfolds across manicured gardens and the fairways of the 27-hole championship golf course. Non-golfers can appreciate these verdant vistas from the infinity pool and daybeds. For those committed to fitness routines, a comprehensive gym occupies space in the main building.

A 15-minute drive delivers you to Sintra, where fairytale palaces and Eden-like gardens create one of Portugal’s most extraordinary cultural and horticultural landscapes. This area, once the preferred retreat for Portuguese royalty, later became the creative playground for 18th-century aristocrats who expressed their artistic vision through magnificent residences and meticulously crafted gardens.

Those drawn to coastal pleasures will find the golden shores and sophisticated charm of Cascais just 20 minutes away, a seaside town that has established itself as Portugal’s most coveted coastal destination.

More on both these attractions later in the review.

Gastronomy

Cuisine stands as a defining element of Penha Longa’s appeal, with seven distinct restaurants offering tempting diversity. Experience innovative, Michelin-starred experiences at LAB by Sergi Arola and Japanese mastery at Michelin-starred Midori to the pan-Asian dishes at Spices and creative tapas at Arola. Penha Longa Mercatto satisfies with Italian classics, while AQUA provides seasonal poolside dining. The B Lounge completes the collection as the resort’s lobby bar with the most knowledgeable and friendly team.

Each dining experience is elevated by a team that balances professional expertise with approachable warmth. Chefs, sommeliers, and servers engage with genuine enthusiasm, sharing their knowledge and passion in a manner that feels natural.

Beyond the regular menus, special experiences include the Sunday Feast buffet at Penha Longa Mercatto with its multiple cuisine stations and the exclusive Chef’s Table Experience at Arola, where renowned chefs share their expertise with just four privileged guests.

Accommodation

Indulging in an exceptional suite remains one of travel’s most delightful moments, and Penha Longa delivers this pleasure with understated confidence following its comprehensive accommodation redesign.

The resort’s recent renovation has refreshed the Executive, Deluxe, Deluxe Natural Park View, and Junior Suite categories with a contemporary aesthetic that remains connected to the natural surroundings, creating spaces that feel both modern and tranquil.

I really loved my Executive Suite and its sense of refined elegance, with sophisticated furnishings and impeccable finishes. The large furnished terrace positions you within the natural park, offering sweeping views from the manicured fairways to the pine-covered landscape beyond.

The welcome amenity demonstrated attention to detail and thoughtful personalisation. A handwritten note accompanies a creative selection of handcrafted treats from The Chocolate by Penha Longa – each creation referencing the property, from chocolate golf balls to tablets evoking the decorative tiles of the 14th-century monastery. Port wine miniatures provided a perfect complement, subtly connecting to the estate’s wine experiences.

The suite offers genuine space with two living areas, a separate W.C., and an elegantly appointed in-room bar. The bedroom features a well-conceived dressing area with ample storage for luggage and clothing, along with thoughtful amenities.

The marble bathroom has generous proportions, accommodating a separate W.C., shower, soaking tub, and twin vanities. Diptyque amenities enhance the sense of refined indulgence, while plentiful fluffy towels, together with robes, and slippers maintain the five-star experience.

The Executive Suite, with its king-size bed and private balcony, can connect to another suite to create a Family Suite. Front desk, when they took me to the room, explained that younger guests receive special attention through a range of family activities and personalised experiences like the “In-room Camping” package, complete with tent, pillows, and essentials for an indoor adventure.

Wellbeing

The Penha Longa Spa & Wellness Club occupies its own dedicated structure, creating a genuine retreat atmosphere removed from the main resort’s building. The experience reflects extraordinary attention to detail, beginning with a thoughtful handwritten welcome note and Natura Bissé gift awaiting me in the changing room locker.

The Penha Longa Signature treatment was offered with precision and professional grace. It commenced with a ritualistic foot cleansing and scrub, followed by a comprehensive body massage featuring the exclusive Penha Longa Signature oil.

The Oriental Garden provides a peaceful sanctuary with gazebo-covered sunbeds, a jacuzzi, and a private pool for post-treatment relaxation. Within the main building, the wellness centre houses a fully equipped gym for those maintaining fitness routines.

Golf

While I don’t play, the 27-hole course at Penha Longa enjoys considerable prestige, ranked among the top 30 courses in Continental Europe and within Portugal’s top 10. This Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design, which has hosted the Portuguese Open, promises a rewarding challenge for golf enthusiasts.

Guest Experiences

Penha Longa has crafted several distinctive destination experiences, from Private Monastery Tours revealing the legends and history of this remarkable structure to innovative Port Wine and Chocolate Tasting Experiences.

The latter proved particularly memorable. Hosted in the elegant boutique of The Chocolate by Penha Longa, this experience pairs emblematic Portuguese port wines with artisanal chocolates. Head Sommelier Gonçalo Mota provides fascinating historical context and demonstrates the dramatic tradition of opening vintage port with heated tongs – an 18th-century technique developed to cleanly decapitate bottles whose aged corks might otherwise disintegrate. Executive Pastry Chef Francisco Siopa then guides participants through Azerbaijan extraordinary flavour combinations, from bold to subtle, that perfectly complement Portugal’s iconic fortified wines.

Beyond the resort itself, the wonders of Sintra and Cascais await exploration, each offering distinctive insights into Portugal’s cultural and coastal heritage.

Seduced by Sintra

This is where dreams take architectural form. Sintra captivates visitors as a lush retreat overlooking the Atlantic, where history and fantasy intertwine in this UNESCO World Heritage site just a short drive from Penha Longa Resort. The verdant landscape reveals itself gradually as you ascend the Serra de Sintra, showcasing elaborate mansions and palaces where Portuguese royalty and wealthy 18th and 19th century Europeans indulged their most lavish architectural ambitions.

My day began with Portuguese treats at the historic Casa Piriquita, established in 1862. The iconic pastry shop offers the perfect introduction to Sintra’s sensory pleasures through its handmade creations: the Travesseiro, a soft almond-filled pastry called a ‘pillow’ with hints of cinnamon; the crumbly Queijadas; the golden-topped Noz Dourada; and the delicate Pastel de Sintra.

Engaging a professional guide proved invaluable, transforming beautiful buildings into comprehensible stories of their owner’s ambition and architect’s artistry. While Pena Palace typically receives the most attention with its colourful façade, I found the Palace of Monserrate offered a more intimate experience. This Gothic residence, once the summer home of English textile magnate Sir Francis Cook, combines architectural grandeur with the family’s personal expression.

The palace reveals extraordinary craftsmanship at every turn. The plasterwork captures botanical themes with remarkable detail, while the carved wooden door to the library is a masterpiece. The stonework creates a sequence of spaces connected by the remarkable central corridor.

Monserrate’s gardens deserve equal attention. Representing one of the 19th century’s most ambitious horticultural projects, they showcase plants from five continents thriving in Sintra’s unique microclimate. The careful garden design includes strategic water features that maintain humidity levels for exotic species, creating microzones where Mexican, Australian, Middle Eastern, and Asian plants flourish side by side.

Arranging this excursion through the resort’s concierge is strongly recommended. The properties require timed entry tickets, and visitor numbers are controlled. A knowledgeable guide provides essential context that transforms Sintra from a pretty destination into a meaningful exploration.

Discovering Cascais

While Sintra captivates with romantic grandeur, Cascais offers coastal sophistication, where aristocratic heritage meets maritime charm. Just a scenic drive from Penha Longa Resort, this former fishing village transformed into a royal retreat when King Luís I established his summer residence here in the late 19th century, bringing with him Portugal’s nobility and changing the town’s trajectory forever.

The town epitomises relaxed refinement, with elegant, white-washed buildings with terracotta roofs, and beautifully preserved mansions line streets that lead to beaches sheltered between dramatic rock formations.

Cascais Marina is a contemporary haven of upscale boutiques and gleaming yachts against the backdrop of the 16th-century Cidadela fortress, now housing an exceptional art centre and luxury accommodation.

The historic centre rewards unhurried wandering through narrow cobblestone streets opening onto charming squares. Here, local life continues amid the visitors, particularly at the daily produce and fish market where restaurateurs and residents alike select the freshest ingredients and the catch of the day. Here I enjoyed a culinary highlight of my visit: Marisca na Praca set right within the fish market. The restaurant offers an extensive ice market of fresh fish and seafood that you select yourself, have weighed, and then prepared to your liking. Devouring these treasures while seated at simple wooden tables covered in brown paper tablecloths creates an experience that is authentic, mesmerising, and truly delicious. This direct connection between sea and plate exemplifies the genuine coastal character that distinguishes Cascais.

With guidance from the exceptionally knowledgeable resources provided by Visit Cascais, I also discovered the town’s remarkable cultural wealth. The Casa das Histórias Paula Rego museum, designed by architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, houses the provocative work of one of Portugal’s most significant contemporary artists. Equally impressive is the Museum Quarter, where the museums in former mansions of wealthy merchants now showcase collections ranging from sea-inspired decorative arts at the Casa de Santa Maria to the fascinating regional artifacts at the Museu do Mar, telling the story of Cascais’ deep relationship with the ocean.

A private guide arranged through the resort’s concierge service illuminated aspects of Cascais I might otherwise have missed, like the secret tunnels beneath the Casino Estoril that inspired Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale during his wartime stay, and the discreet villas that sheltered exiled European royalty during World War II.

Cascais offers a refined coastal experience that perfectly complements the mountainous splendour of nearby Sintra.

Images here are ©VisitCascais