My husband and two children(14 and 12) stayed at Penha Longa for a week at the end of July. It is an excellent hotel with superb staff and facilities . The hotel is set in a beautiful estate with a 14th century palace and monastic buildings which have been wonderfully restored - we had a memorable meal in the old monastry one evening. We adored the outdoor swimming pool (there is also an indoor pool) and the golf courses but there is plenty to do for non-golfers or sporty types- the hotel has daily activities such as looking after a pony for the day or learning how to make delicious patisseries !
The food was wonderful and the staff utterly charming. This hotel puts ours in the UK to shame.

My husband and I stayed at Penha Longa to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. We were in Barcelona for 5 activity filled days and Penha Longa was exactly what we needed to unwind and relax before returning to the U.S. I would suggest renting a car if plan to leave the resort. But if your plan is resort focused - you are in for a treat.

The golf course was gorgeous - I don't play so I can't give you more than that. The fitness center and both pools were top of the line. Our room (which was a standard room not a suite) was well decorated, spacious, and well maintained during our stay.The bathroom was a room by itself. They could beef up the room service menu.

ASA MASSA , on of the restaurants located in the hotel had a wonderful buffet once a week of traditional Italian Cuisine. For a little extra you can sample specially selected wines from Italy as well. The staff overall was very attentive and helpful. As a spa snob, I would have expected a little more from the actual therapist, but the spa itself was a very soothing environment, and the outdoor pools (which are small so don't expect to do laps) located at the spa are set in a backyard deck and garden sort of arrangement. The hotel also has daycare services, but I'm not sure I would want to experience Penha Longa with kids unless absolutely necessary. Great time overall.

My husband and two small children (daughters aged 3 and 1 and a half at the time) stayed a week in this fantastic resort near the gorgeous mountain town of Sintra. From the minute we checked in, we were blown away by everything about the resort.

The staff were more than helpful (they seriously couldn't do enough for us - and seemed genuinely friendly, and knowledgable). Although the kids club didn't suit us (children too young), it did look fabulous, and jam-packed full of activities. We were able to book babysitters day and night if we wanted to (and as the area is not the easiest for young children - visiting castles up on high mountains with loads of steps, etc., or visiting the beach with it's tremendous surf - not ideal for little ones - we did use this service for a few days, and most nights). We had two adjoining rooms which was a GODSEND - the children slept better knowing we were close, but not close enough for them to take advantage. (We actually preferred the two adjoining rooms to the two bedroom suites). They were luxuriously appointed, comfortable, with beautiful views on the terrace overlooking their lovely golf course and surrounding landscape.

The food was fantastic, and there are two pools (one outside, and one indoors) which were good (though not really for really little children), plus a toddler pool to keep the little ones happy.

The hotel also had something on every night - one night we went on a family trip on a traditional horse and carriage (kids LOVED that) through the gorgeous grounds. Another night we partook in the most AMAZING traditional Portuguese meal put on by the hotel, where the food was paired with wines. Amazing.

My only complaints (if you can call them that!) is that mini-bar prices were outrageous! (Nespresso coffee was about 6 euros, when I know the capsules only cost about 26p--if you have a Nespresso machine, I suggest you bring your own capsules for your morning coffee - or just drink it in the restaurant), and the babysitting did add up. But I can't fault the hotel for that! It was lovely just having that available! Also, it was difficult to feed the children dinner at the time they needed to eat (5 - 5:30pm for 7 - 7:30 bedtime). Aside from using the room service (expensive, as you would expect really), there were no other choices as food wasn't served properly at that time (only bar snacks) in the resort restaurants. But again, this is more of a cultural thing. We had the same problems in hotels in Spain and Italy.

It is a beautiful hotel! Certainly one of the very best we've ever stayed at in Europe (and we've stayed in quite a few!) Excellent for families, but equally excellent for single couples, honeymooners, older couples. Although the hotel was nicely full, we never felt people were in our space, and although there were children of all ages there, we never felt annoyed by too much noise, etc.. (Even though I have young children myself, I know how the noise of unkept young children can get on people's nerves!) The whole place felt really exclusive, beautiful, luxurious - and the staff made you feel as though you were someone very important indeed. It has rather spoiled us for other hotels!

We booked our holiday through Bill Goff (golf holiday travel operator), and got an excellent deal through them. Also because it has a spa and golf course (and babysitter) we could actually do our own thing (my husband played a round or two of golf, while I had amazing treatments in the spa, and the kids played with the babysitter for an afternoon around the pool and made beautiful pictures for us for when we returned happy and refreshed in the late afternoon). It was a real holiday!

I can't recommend this hotel enough!

I booked this hotel on previous trip advisor recommendations and I certainly wasn't disappointed! I stayed there with my husband and two daughters (aged 9 and 10) from 16-23 July 2007 and from the moment we entered the hotel we were made to feel extremely welcome. The staff, without exception, are extremely helpful and friendly and nothing is too much trouble. The hotel itself is beautiful - we had two adjoining rooms which were extremely comfortable - the beds are wonderful. Lovely bathrooms - all marble - with Bvlgari toilettries.

Of particular note are the breakfasts - an extensive choice and beautifully presented. We ate in the RC bar on the first night and in Assamassa twice - one night was the Italian buffet which is definitely worth going to.

There is an indoor and outdoor pool (the outdoor pool was very cold and not many people ventured into it - which was a real shame). The indoor pool was heated though. There are fresh towels, water and fruit available all day. The gym is a good size and the equipment appeared brand new.

My children went to the Kids' Club for a day and a half - they loved the trip to the Country Club where they were able to ride and look after the horses. Pamela was in charge of the Kids' Club on both days and my girls really liked her.

There are two golf courses - the Atlantic (18 holes) and the Monastery (9 holes). My husband played the Atlantic and, although he enjoyed it - he would get a buggy next time as it is very hilly.

I would definitely stay at this hotel again and would have liked another few days there.