Those having a business trip to Portugal must consider the Penha Longa Resort for their accommodations. As a Ritz Carlton property, high-quality service is always expected there, no matter how big your group is. Joining Todd Bludworth are Penha Longa’s Director of Group Sales, Liliana Pinheiro, and its Senior Catering Manager, Diogo Rebelo Rodrigues. Together, they enumerate the resort’s most sophisticated features that combine classic architecture, history, and natural environment. They also discuss the most exciting getaways beyond Penha Longa itself, from various water activities to authentic Portuguese marketplaces.
Andy McNeill and Todd Bludworth are travel and hospitality entrepreneurs and owners of the global meetings organization, American Meetings, Inc. From sourcing hotels in Portugal to corporate event management around the world, their team selects corporate event venues and meeting planners for a wide array of enterprise business clients, providing ideas for convention themes and strategies for running global meetings and events. Learn more at www.amiwebstaging.wpengine.com.
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Luxury Hotels In Portugal
Located in Central Portugal is a Ritz-Carlton property that speaks elegance and beauty – the Penha Longa Resort. A wonderful five-star establishment, it is one of Europe’s most attractive and exclusive retreats. Aside from top-notch service, the resort is known for its awesome combination of history and nature, being located inside a national park.
With its gorgeous golf courses, grassy areas, and relaxing spas, guests can truly connect with the natural environment right here. A visit here all by yourself, with your family, or with your significant other is sure to be worthwhile.
Todd Bludworth sits down with Penha Longa’s Director of Group Sales, Liliana Pinheiro, and the Senior Catering Manager, Diogo Rebelo Rodrigues, to dive deeper into what Penha Longa has to offer.
Accessibility
Penha Longa Resort offers easy access to a lot of tourist destinations around the city.
- In 5 minutes, you can reach Sintra, which can be described as a Disneyland for grownups.
- In 10 minutes, you can visit the coast and enjoy the sun at the beach.
- In 25 minutes, you can find yourself in the city center and the airport.
Monastery
One of the well-guarded treasures of Penha Longa is the 14th-century monastery deep inside it. The resort transformed it into a meeting venue while keeping its classic architecture and feel.
This is a perfect spot for those who want to give their event a different touch. You can finally escape from the typical corporate locations that lack the uniqueness you want attendees to remember even long after the gathering is done.
Things to do at the monastery:
- Decorate the place depending on a certain theme of purpose.
- Long, quiet strolls in the gardens. The outdoors can also be used for dinner parties, surrounded by the ruins.
- Visit an ancient church, where you can have a chance to listen to singing monks.
- Drink cocktails in the courtyard.
Aside from this, Penha Longa also has four exclusive venues outside their property. Despite being away from the resort itself, they can still provide exquisite service and food to these areas.
Restaurants
Penha Longa takes pride in nine exemplary restaurants. Three of them have Michelin stars, making the resort the only one with such a culinary distinction. Besides their delicious food and wine, what makes the place stand out is the unique experience.
For small groups, they host immersive market visits. One of the most usual destinations for this is the Cascais Market. Here, guests go to the local shops with a professional chef to buy ingredients, which will be cooked back at the resort for everyone to enjoy.
Golf Courses
With a lot of grass on the property, Penha Longa is a great place not only for its accommodation but golf experience as well. It houses the following courses:
- Atlantic Champion, a 19-hole course, one of the best in Europe.
- The Monastery, a nine-hole course.
Different group activities are also hosted here. Guests can either join a clinic or do a bit of training. But what separates it from the rest is its incredible food golf.
Water Activities
If guests want to go outdoors and get wet, the coast near Penha Longa offers excellent surfing experiences. For those who prefer a more relaxing trip, buying a boat from Cascais and enjoying the sunset in the middle of the sea is highly recommended.
Liliana’s Day Off Activities
- A good Portuguese meal partnered with a fine wine
- A relaxing day at the beach
- Watching the sunset
Diogo’s Day Off Activities
- Getting on the boat and going around Cascais
- Going to a nice restaurant
- Having a nice red Portuguese wine with some grilled meat
About Liliana Pinheiro
Liliana is responsible for the MICE Segment at Penha Longa Resort. She has been at the resort for 7 years now, first starting in the Golf Department, then moved to event operation, and finally sales. Travelling is one of her biggest passions and hobbies, and one of her favorite trips was to Japan.
About Diogo Rebelo
Diogo is originally from Porto, and is currently based in Cascais (Lisbon). He enjoys traveling the world searching for the best restaurants and is always in the loop for what’s new. He is a food and wine enthusiast where the choice of restaurants take a central part when booking a trip. He studied Economics and after two years working in Financial Auditing, he made a shift to hospitality. As a feverish traveler, he has more than 40 countries under his belt.
