The five-star luxury hotel The Oitavos on the Portuguese Riviera close to Lisbon is a bold design statement.Overlooking the protected sand dunes, the Atlantic Ocean and its surrounding beaches it sits at the westernmost point of the Portuguese coastline. A mere 25 minutes from Lisbon and close to the fishing village of Cascais the Quinta da Marinha estate is part of the Sintra National Park, a UNESCO World heritage site.

What’s striking about The Oitavos is the feeling of space – the common areas and guest rooms are designed in such a way to embrace the surrounding natural landscape through floor-to-ceiling windows that bring you closer to the outdoors. An uncluttered yet stylish aesthetic means the interior doesn’t compete with what’s outside, instead seeking to complement it.

The estate has been owned by the family since the 1920s and carefully developed ever since – always taking great care to preserve the natural environment. These days the estate offers one of the largest equestrian centres in Portugal, a health and sports club and the Oitavos Dunes golf course, ranked among the Top 100 Courses in the World. It is also the first golf course in Europe to receive the Audubon International’s Gold Signature Sanctuary status for its environmental management.

The Oitavos is a shining example of how simple luxury can be, and how the interplay between that luxury and nature can create an experience that is both invigorating and calming. And it’s exactly this sentiment that will be so important as we forwards 2021.

The hotel features 143 guestrooms, all of which boast a sunny private balcony with views of the Atlantic Ocean and/or golf course.