Where to Stay Next: Portugal’s Condé Nast Johansens 2025 Award Winners

Portugal’s Condé Nast Johansens 2025 Award Winners

Every year, the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence celebrate the finest independent hotels and experiences worldwide. For 2025, Portugal once again shines bright, with several exceptional properties earning well-deserved recognition for their distinctive charm, service, and sense of place.

From riverside views in Porto to romantic hideaways in Cascais and tranquil countryside retreats in the Alentejo, these award-winning stays capture the authentic essence of Portuguese hospitality. Let’s explore this year’s winners and uncover the places you’ll want to stay next.

Where to Stay Next

Porto

Readers’ Award

The Rebello Hotel & Spa

Standing proudly beside the Douro River, The Rebello reimagines 18th-century stone warehouses into one of the city’s most stylish boutique hotels. Set across the river from Porto’s historic Ribeira district, this Gaia landmark blends industrial design with authentic Portuguese character.

From chic studios to bedroom duplexes, pair minimalist aesthetics with local art, soft fabrics, and sweeping river views. Each bathroom features handcrafted Portuguese toiletries, adding a thoughtful local touch. The Rebello Spa, a serene haven featuring a heated indoor pool, hydrotherapy treatments, and massages using organic local products. At Pot&Pan Restaurant, guests enjoy international cuisine with a Portuguese twist, while the rooftop Bello Bar offers dazzling views of Porto’s skyline and the flowing Douro below.

Best for Weddings, Parties & Celebrations

Torre de Gomariz Wine & Spa Hotel

Nestled among the vineyards of Braga, Torre de Gomariz captures the spirit of northern Portugal, a perfect blend of history, nature, and wine. This 15th-century estate combines a medieval tower with modern design across 24 rooms and suites, along with new Forest Houses hidden among the trees.

Guests can unwind at the Camellia Spa, with an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and aromatherapy massages that embrace the landscape through floor-to-ceiling windows. At Solar Restaurant, local produce takes center stage, paired with wines from the estate’s own vineyards. The Wine Bar and Tower Bar complete the experience, ideal for toasting special moments under the northern stars.

Alentejo

Best Countryside Hotel

Sobreiras Alentejo Country Hotel

In the heart of the Alentejo, Sobreiras Alentejo Country Hotel offers an escape defined by simplicity and stillness. Just over an hour from Lisbon, this contemporary retreat is surrounded by 62 acres of cork trees and open fields stretching towards the Grândola Mountains. 

Designed for rest and reconnection, its rooms and suites reflect the natural palette of the region, whites, sands, and warm woods with terraces overlooking the endless horizon. Spend days cycling through nature, riding on horseback, or simply relaxing by the infinity pool before enjoying local cuisine at the open-kitchen Sobreiras Restaurant.

Don't Miss: The Alentejo sky at night is extraordinary; stay up late to see the stars like never before.

Lisbon

Best for Romance

Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa

Once home to the exiled King Umberto II of Italy, Grande Real Villa Itália in Cascais remains a royal retreat overlooking the Atlantic. Today, this 124-room haven combines classical grandeur with coastal charm, thanks to interior designer Graça Viterbo’s refined touch.

Guests can savor refined Italian and Portuguese dishes at Belvedere Restaurant, dine alfresco at La Terraza Bar, or enjoy a sea breeze beside the outdoor saltwater pool. The Real Spa Marine offers Roman-inspired relaxation with thalassotherapy, sauna, and personalized treatments.

Best Value Experience

Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel

Set in Lisbon’s historic heart, Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel offers five-star comfort steeped in history and authenticity. Its location near Cais do Sodré places guests at the crossroads of culture, gastronomy, and the city’s famous light. Expect warm hospitality, modern comfort, and an experience that feels truly Lisbon, where past and present blend seamlessly.

Madeira Island

Best Breakfast

Quinta Jardins do Lago

Perched on the hills above Funchal, Quinta Jardins do Lago is a storybook retreat surrounded by lush botanical gardens. Once the home of General Beresford, this 18th-century mansion now welcomes guests to 40 elegant rooms and suites filled with natural light and history.

Breakfasts here are legendary, served on a sunlit veranda overlooking tropical gardens and accompanied by the scent of blooming jasmine. For lunch or dinner, The Beresford and Colombo Bistro highlight Madeiran ingredients with both sophistication and warmth.

Don't Miss:  Watch the sunrise from Pico do Areeiro, it’s an unforgettable Madeira moment.

Plan Your Award-Winning Escape

From Porto’s riverbanks to Madeira’s garden terraces, these Condé Nast Johansens 2025 Award Winners represent the best of Portugal’s hospitality: authentic, refined, and rooted in place.

The Rebello

Whether you dream of a wine-country retreat, a coastal escape, or a countryside sanctuary, Wine Tourism in Portugal can craft the perfect itinerary for your stay, including private tastings, exclusive access, and unforgettable local experiences.