Set in Cascais with an idyllic location overlooking the sea the Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel and Spa is a hotel that combines charm and comfort. The design of this sumptuous property is the result of an adaptation of the former residences of King Umberto II of Italy. The decoration of this hotel is based in a concept called revisited classic. The style is classical but has a contemporary and attractive feel fitting in well with the current tastes. The comfort is obvious and the base materials are also classical such as the local Azulino de Cascais marble and the Venetian Mosaic used for paving. The toilets are luxurious and have an Italian finishing. Ceilings are ornate and decorations blend in perfectly. Traditional and modern Portuguese tiling can be seen in different forms. The same materials are used throughout the hotel. Rooms are inspired by shades from the sea with just a hint of colour. The suites have exotic and warmer colours - the colours of late afternoon ? overlaid on white and beige backgrounds. Wide windows are used to create a direct link to the surroundings - sea and gardens . The Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel and Spa facilities include 2 restaurants / bar / pool bar / games room / library / reading room / business centre / kids club / hairdresser / shops / 2 outdoor sea water swimming pools - one for adults and one for children - / health club / spa and several terraces overlooking the ocean. The 16 multi-purpose meeting rooms / which can hold up to 400 people / are an important element in the hotel and have been designed to attract all types of events / from the simple business meeting to the international launch of products. The available services are complemented by the Real Spa Marine / one of the most important aspects of the project and the first of its kind in the Cascais district / thus constituting an important advantage for the region. This 1000 m2 space includes a Thalasso Circuit Pool / thermal bath / Vichy shower / Scottish shower / chromotherm / hydro-massage / massage and numerous others face and body treatments.

The word Palace derives from the Latin word palatium, from Mount Palatino, where Augustus had his magnificent house built. Right after the earthquake from 1755, the first Baron of Porto Covo, Jacinto Fernandes Bandeira, built his house in S. Domingos Street starting the creation of the Lapa district. Approximately 115 years later, in 1870, the succeeding Viscount built for one of his sons a beautiful house in the Lapa District. The house was later sold to the Counts of Valenças, who in 1883 decided to transform it into a Palace. Some of the famous artists who participated in the decoration of the Palace were Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro and Columbano.  Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro was one of the greatest Portuguese ceramists of the 19th century.  At the Count's request, he created for the Palace pieces of furniture and tiles.  Columbano, the greatest portrait painter of his time, called by some the 'painter of broken souls', has painted the walls and ceilings of the original ballroom (today the Columbano Room) with the theme Dancing through Times.  Many of the characters portrayed in the wall paintings are aristocrats of the Lisbon high life, like the Count of Arnoso, the Viscount of Sacavém or the oldest son of the Count.