Pedras Salgadas, Portugal
Hotel Pedras Salgadas
Thermal forest cabins
Thermal forest cabins
Historic thermal parklands have become a forest stay, scattering modular slate cabins and stilted treehouses around natural mineral springs.
What it’s good at
Notable
Century-old thermal parklands surround a restored 1910 Art Nouveau mineral bathhouse.
Notable
Natural carbogaseous mineral spring waters fill hydrotherapy baths and indoor massage circuits.
What they say
Also in Michelin.
The idea, sensibly enough, was to minimize the impact on the ancient forest, and, when inside, to maximize the impact of the views of the forest outside.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Across twenty hectares of historic thermal parklands in Tras-os-Montes, amid century-old trees and mineral springs.
The rooms
Cabins sit raised on stilts among the pines, with whitewashed interiors and large windows looking straight into the branches.
The outdoor pool
Bring a swimsuit.
Two outdoor pools designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira sit on a broad lawn beneath the forest canopy.
The thermal baths
Indoor pools with hydromassage jets sit beneath sculptural blue ceilings, and wide windows look into the forest.
At the table
Casa de Chá serves regional Portuguese dishes under exposed timber beams, with tall windows looking straight into the park.
How it began
Beverage maker Unicer revived the 19th-century royal spa, where natural carbonated springs still bottle Portugal's familiar Água das Pedras table water.
Pedras Salgadas
More like this
Pedras Salgadas Spa & Nature Park
“Stilted woodland hideaway”
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.