Spending Half Term with Martinhal Resorts
The weeks between Christmas and the February half term holiday always feel miserable weather wise, and this year is no exception.
As I write this storm Georgina has blasted into the UK and is doing its best to batter our house and garden, with our just repaired fence looking a little precarious already.
Last year we headed to Angus, Scotland in February and had the most amazing time, playing in the snow in Glen Doll, exploring Scottish Castles and sampling the delights of Edinburgh but this year we have tempted away by some winter sun and are heading to Portugal.
I first heard of Martinhal Resorts when my Laura from TiredMummyofTwo headed there back in 2015 and was very impressed with their stay at their luxury beach resort.
We are lucky enough to be spending time at two of their resorts with two nights at the Martinhal Cacais Family Hotel and two nights at the Martinhal Chiado apartments in Lisbon.
Martinhal Cacais
Cascais is a pretty coastal town around 30km west of Lisbon, encased by the beautiful wild Atlantic coastline and the incredible Sintra National Park. Martinhal Cascais is entirely geared towards family fun and making life easier for parents with room, suite and villa options for families of all sizes.
In the main building, there are 84 hotel rooms and suites, with connecting rooms available for larger families and large, airy glass-walled bathrooms make the accommodations feel even bigger than they are.
There is a complimentary Kids Club, open all year around for children from 13 months to 9 years old and with over 700 square metres of play space in the Kids Clubhouse, the kids can be looked after by their caring and responsible staff in a safe and secure space while parents enjoy their time in greater Lisbon.
Getting out and about, we want to visit their stunning beach and see the Portuguese city of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moor’s Castle looks beautiful perched on the Serra de Sintra, with views stretching as far as the Atlantic Ocean and Pena Palace is a must visit, as the spectacular summer residence of the Portuguese royal family.
Martinhal Lisbon
Martinhal Lisbon Chiado is situated in the heart of Lisbon’s historic district and offers spacious family friendly apartments and a complimentary kids club until 10:00pm to enable parents to enjoy Lisbon as a family and as a couple/adult.
Lisbon is a fantastic destination for families who are looking for a city break within Europe and when asking what the kids wanted to see, they all plumped for Lisbon Oceanarium, the second largest in the world and the biggest in Europe. It has four huge tanks which represent the different oceanic regions of the world and each one is crammed full with marine life and can all be viewed through submerged tunnels, through giant glass walls or from above the water level.
I want to do the cable car ride which runs along the edge of the Tagus River, just outside the aquarium which offers views of the pretty Vasco da Gama Bridge in the distance and we cannot go to Lisbon without taking the iconic yellow tram along Route 28!
Have you visited Cacais or Lisbon – is there somewhere you recommend we visit?
Sonia Cave
Having just booked 2 weeks in Spain (albeit in June) I do feel your need for sunshine. It has been very wet herein Sweden too this year. I don’t mind cold, or the long dark months, as there is usually snow on the ground to brighten it up, but it has just been so drab. The holiday plans look great though and you’ll be off very soon
Helen
Portugal is somewhere I’ve recently discovered and would love to visit at some point in the future. The architecture looks stunning 🙂
Talya
This is so tempting for a half term get away especially with the shocking weather we have been having – I’m off to have a look at their website!
Hazel Newhouse
I’ve not left the country in 11 years… I seriously need to get a new passport! Portugal looks beautiful though. I hope you have an amazing holiday. Enjoy every second! x
JuggleMum, Nadine Hill
Ooh are you going at half term? I bet you can’t wait! It’s necessary to get a bit of sun around now i think. January is such a long month – you’ll have a great time!
Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me)
This sounds fantastic, and how lovely to be going in half term! February’s always such a miserable month in the UK, weather-wise.
Justine
I think I’ll have to suggest this to my Father, who is currently trying to find a family holiday location for our large brood. This looks gorgeous.
Baby Isabella
Ooooooo lovely! We’re craving the sun on our skin at the moment. Thankfully we’re getting away at half term too – however we have to make do with Northern Irish beaches instead x
Stephanie
Oh I’m so tempted by some sunshine, this sounds lovely and a lovely place to visit
MISS CHLOE L CILIBERTO
I am so jealous. It sounds like it’s going to be an amazing trip. I actually always prefer visiting places when its a bit cooler and not as hot out. When it’s hot all I want to do is lounge on the beach, but at least when it’s cooler you get to see more. The kids clubs sound amazing, as does your whole accommodation. I want to go to both Portugal and Lisbon (Portugal mostly) so I’m looking forward to reading your posts about them. x