Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Centrally Located
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Location
Avenida Dom Carlos I, Cascais 2750-310 Portugal
Name/address in local language
Pestana Cidadela Cascais
4.3 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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The Pestana Cidadela Cascais hotel garners appreciation for merging historical allure with contemporary comforts, situated ideally near beaches and the marina. However, the hotel's room maintenance and layout have not gone unnoticed by some travelers. While the staff's friendliness is commended, guests have called out instances of sluggish service. The hotel's amenities, including a well-regarded breakfast and spa, have their fans, but criticisms arise over minor issues like water pressure in showers.
Despite the general praise for cleanliness, occasional lapses in housekeeping services are mentioned. The atmosphere blends old-world charm with modern luxury, although noise and a musty smell in rooms have been points of concern for some. Guests are divided on value, with many feeling that the pricing does not fully match the offerings, especially in dining and accommodation.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Modern
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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I found it intriguing how the hotel has been built into the ancient citadel, resulting in a quirky layout to the corridors, some of which slope up and down. Most of the bedrooms, the breakfast dining room, spa and indoor pool are on the first level up from the main entrance and reception. Breakfast was very good, with a wide selection, and served from 7am every day, which was important for us, until quite late if you prefer a lie-in. The indoor pool is small, but big enough for a bit of exercise, and is kept at a nice temperature. The outdoor pool is in a sunny but secluded location, although being unheated I was not tempted to try it in February, not did I spot anyone else around there, although I imagine it would be popular in summer. Not everything was perfect - the knobs on the wardrobe doors were small and tricky to grip, and the TV was fixed to the wall too close above the desk surface, but those are minor niggles amongst an overall great holiday experience. The best thing about this hotel is the staff, who were some of the most welcoming and helpful I have encountered anywhere.
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Go on the guided tour of the hotel (4pm on Thursdays, if I remember rightly)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Vera Santos, Guest Services / Front Office at Pestana Cidadela Cascais
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear Mr. James G, On behalf of our entire team at Pestana Cidadela Cascais, we would like to thank you for taking the time to provide us with your positive feedback. Your opinion is crucial for us to continue improving our service and anticipate our Guests' needs. It was a real pleasure for us to have you as our Guest, and we look forward to welcoming you again at Pestana Cidadela Cascais. Best regards, Vera Santos, Guest Relations
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We spent a wonderful week at the Pestana Citadela hotel in Cascais. The location is ideal: everything is within walking distance and the hotel is spectacular because it is inside the historic citadel. It also houses an art gallery. Despite the size of the establishment, the interior is cozy. Spacious room and nice bedding. Free bottle of water every day. Fantastic breakfast with a view of the marina and a very wide choice at the buffet. The hotel restaurant is also very good (octopus salad to die for!) and the library bar too. The icing on the cake: the staff is exceptional. We traveled with our 6 month old baby and everything was done to make our stay easier. Attentive service at the front desk and in the restaurants, impeccable room thanks to the housekeeping team. The hotel manager is very present with his teams, available and attentive. There is a real desire to give customers the best possible stay and it is very successful. Thanks to the whole team.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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What a great place! Loved staying in this historic, yet updated hotel - with such a great balance between maintaining historic features yet offering the comfort we nowadays expect.
We also received exceptional service at check-in. The agent noticed my husband's mobility issues and quietly arranged for a more convenient place to park - this was SO appreciated.
Breakfast is extensive and lovely, with the c hoice of eating on the deck that overlooks the harbor, or inside. We loved our rooms as well. Location is superb.
Highly recommend this very cool place.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Used to hotels, five stars all over the world. I'm a little disappointed This is the first time I’ve visited a Pension in the Pestanas Group , but the last time....not at all at the level of a five-star When I was taken to my room, the person had just arrived the same day and he had no idea where the room was. We toured the Inn before finding I booked a Beginner Suite, which is not the First Award. In fact the room is very large, but the single window is high and is 1 m by 50 cm. The rusty metal frame has not been maintained for a long time The small curtain to obstruct the night no longer holds very well. I had to fix it in the morning so that it was in its rail.You have to turn on the light all day in the room to see something. I discovered after three days that there was an outdoor pool. No one had shown it to me. on Saturday at 4pm the cleaning was still not done a cleaning lady came by. We asked her to come five minutes later, she never came back. I went to the reception to complain, cleaning was done the next day. The unusable safe required changing the battery, I reported it every day throughout the stay. This was never achieved during the six days of our stay. No garbage cans in the bathroom, as well as no toiletries essential in this kind of establishment I went to the pool at 4pm and there was no mattress or towel for the deckchair. I asked for a towel and was told that it was not possible that there was no more. Sleeping on the plastic deckchair, we felt like we were in a Two Star Pension. It’s the first time I’ve seen so many cleaning carts hanging out in the various hallways of the Pension, as well as near the meeting rooms. The breakfasts are absolutely correct, and the breakfast staff is very attentive. The staff is really friendly overall, but we are very far from the service of a Five Star Pension I wish my reviews would be constructive so that this Pension can recover
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The pro’s: Great setting in the castle and location to get into town Large rooms The bed was comfortable Offered a turn down service Good indoor pool Air conditioning Great views of Cascais from the breakfast balcony Late checkout of 12pm
There were a few niggling factors which is why the review is 3 given the price paid including; What appears to be a complimentary coffee pod service in your room was in fact charged back at the end of the stay (no signs in the room to say this would be charged) No safe in the room Shower handle was broken, they fixed one part after a request but the other part wasn’t followed up during our 5 day stay. Fridge was not working properly (we couldn’t put any drinks in to cool). The room wasn’t cleaned each day meaning we had to request toilet roll a few times. I requested a gluten free breakfast for each day, I received a muffin and a small GF baguette, for a hotel of this calibre and expense I would have hoped for the option of the chef preparing fruit, continental or something else other than this each day. As a coeliac I can’t risk cross contamination at a buffet. Very dark room.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Daniela Bargado, General Manager at Pestana Cidadela Cascais
Responded Apr 22, 2022
Dear Mr. betho564, We would like to thank you for sharing this information with us because we can only improve with the valuable feedback provided by our Guests. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused during your stay. We are sorry that our team did not meet your expectations. Concerning what you mention about the coffee pods in the room, they are part of our mini bar. The first two coffee pods are complimentary, after those there is a charge of 2,70€/each - this information you find it available with the mini bar price list, available in our Pestana APP or in the TV in the rooms. The room cleaning happens on a daily basis and at that moment restock is also made (of amenities, toilet paper..) and if in any of the days that you were guested in with us you missed any restock in your room, please accept our apologies for that. Last but not least, a big thank you for all the mentioned pros and what they meant to you as our Guest!! We hope that, nonetheless, your experience was positive. Thank you for staying with us! We sincerely hope you will give us one more opportunity to rebuild your trust in our team service and to recover your impression of the hotel. Kind regards, Ana Rita Moura Guest Service Manager
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We stayed in this hotel for several days, what is positive is the location and the building is beautiful, no need for a car, the free bottle of water is nice Beautiful view from the breakfast room,
Negative point: Be careful to check the notes you sign, at the pool bar, at the restaurant, and the FINAL bill, they add huge tips without warning you! It is unacceptable, For the bar we waited 1 hour and we left the person after giving us the card never came back to us.
I found the staff cold and not welcoming.
Be careful with the coffee capsules in the room, nowhere does it say that the first 2 capsules are free and then you pay.
Our room was dark.
I have visited 2 other Hotels in Cascais and clearly this is not the first on my list. I'm sure I won't come back. Approximate housekeeping.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The location of this hotel is fabulous and so are the views. That part gets a 5-star, but in terms of service then it was very lacking and more like 2 stars. The breakfast buffet was adequate but not 5-star and the service was pretty awful. I would expect to be seated and asked if I wanted a coffee, but you were told to find your own seats and you had to fight to get a coffee and then you were lucky if it turned up. I think they were short staffed or just poorly trained staff, but it you are short staffed then just offer pots of coffee and not cappuccinos and lattes with a 30 minute wait. It was also about 4pm before our room was serviced each day so again not enough staff. The room was nice enough but again the shower was just over the bath and the water trinkled out pathetically, so again not a very 5-star shower. There are plenty of other nice hotels here so I would not rush back until they sort themselves out service wise. Also, this hotel is not advisable for anyone with mobility issues if you want to sunbathe in the gardens and use the outdoor pool as the walkways are awful and there are no handrails. The indoor pool seemed easy to get to, but the outdoor pool was a very long and not an easy walk and quite hazardous in flip flops, so we wore trainers to get to the pool. Pool was fairly quiet and there is a bar too, although it is all on different levels, and I think work could be done to improve the access to these facilities.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beautiful hotel, located in a historic building in the centre of Cascais. The hotel is oriented towards art, with several works exposed. Light and elegant decoration. Big room, with wonderful king size bed and very nice shower too. The hair dryer is quite weak, if someone has a lot of hair I recommend carrying their own dryer. Every day tea, coffee and 1 free bottle of water were provided in the room. Spectacular breakfast, super well served and delicious, with stunning views of the Marina de Cascais. Agile staff to repair what was missing even with the hotel crowded. Some rooms smell mold because it is an old and historic building. But it was enough to ask for the exchange at the reception and they immediately gave us another room, even better than what we had booked. Receptionists and suitcase very attentive and dear. The hotel is large and at the same time is quiet. The thermal pool is heated to 28 degrees, but we found it cold to enter in the winter, it could be warmer. The hotel also has sauna and spa, excellent for relaxing in case of bad weather during the trip. Our stay was wonderful and we will definitely come back.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel is located in a fort with a courtyard and ramparts. It is totally different experience to a tower block hotel with windows on the outside. Instead it has a cosy feel, like a village. The hotel is stacked with art and there are high art shops around the Courtyard. The hotel itself is set within the walls and is great. The staff are ready to help you in every way possible. Our room was brilliant. The food at breakfast was superb. There is a bar/restaurant outside in the courtyard and a bar that serves food, below reception. The food from both was very good although some might find the choice to be a bit limited The indoor pool was fine. The outside pool is set in a very nice garden with sunbeds high up on the ramparts, although it takes a bit of finding.
My wife is a wheelchair user. it was not a problem in the rooms of the hotel but outside the courtyard is cobbled and outside the fort all pavements are cobbled with high kerbs even at crossing points. We tended to use taxis to get around even for relatively short distances. It is a real shame. Honestly - Cascais is not the place for people with reduced mobility
We really enjoyed our stay in the hotel but I would like the Europeans to give the reduced- mobility visitors equal opportunities when visiting places like Cascais.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Catarina , Owner at Pestana Cidadela Cascais
Responded Jun 13, 2024
Dear Guest, We were delighted to hear that your recent stay at Pestana Cidadela Cascais was delightful and that you thoroughly enjoyed your stay. Our team would like to thank you for your very kind feedback. Many thanks for choosing Pestana Cidadela Cascais for your holiday. We look forward to hosting you again soon at our hotel. Kind regards, Catarina Machado Guest Service
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We stayed in the Cidadela from 9 - 13 Oct 2022, this is not the first Pousada we have stayed in but it is definitely one of the best. From the moment we arrived, the staff made our stay a warm and happy one. The hotel was excellent in many ways but the staff were its greatest asset. We stayed in a junior suite that overlooked the marina and the room was definitely worth paying a little extra for. It was incredibly spacious and equipped with comfortable furniture, couches in both areas and a superking bed. We were supplied with a fresh large bottle of water daily at no additional cost, contrary to some reports on trip advisor. There are art displays throughout the hotel which add to the feeling of comfort and luxury in the building. Breakfast buffet was of the high standard you would expect in a pousada, with staff always ready to provide tea and coffee refills if desired. The view from the breakfast room is wonderful, with views of the marina and the lighthouse. We were given an added bonus when we left, when reception staff booked our taxi to Lisbon airport for a fixed price of €50, much less than we were charged by the airport taxi on arrival. We can only thank the staff for giving us a wonderful stay.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â A junior suite is well worth the extra cost.
The reception staff will book you return taxi to...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Daniela Bargado, General Manager at Pestana Cidadela Cascais
Responded Oct 27, 2022
Dear Mrs. Dsliase, On behalf of the entire team at Pestana Cidadela Cascais, we would like to thank you for your kind feedback. It is delightful for us to know that you had a pleasant stay with us and that we could help you create beautiful memories. We do not have enough words to describe how we felt reading all your kind words and such a detailed and genuine review after your journey with us. It has been a truly pleasure to welcome you, we are grateful for your preference and we look forward to hosting you again soon at our hotel! Warm regards, Ana Rita Moura Guest Service Manager
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Sherborne, United Kingdom53 contributions21 helpful votes
Alan G - there is an outside pool as well within the grounds but a bit of a walk over rickety stone slabs. But as previously mentioned no pool service.
There are more places to choose from in the Cascais area.
PRICE RANGE
$167 - $305 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Pousada de Cascais
LOCATION
PortugalCentral PortugalLisbon DistrictCascais
NUMBER OF ROOMS
126
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pestana Cidadela Cascais
Which popular attractions are close to Pestana Cidadela Cascais?
Nearby attractions include Marechal Carmona Park (0.2 miles), Museu Condes de Castro de GuimarĂŁes (0.2 miles), and Centro Historico de Cascais (0.2 miles).
