I sat down to start this review of Aethos Ericeira and I found myself a little romantic, a little poetic, because that’s the feeling that the luxury hotel focused on well-being evokes. Perched on cliffs that flow into a foamy ocean, the property makes you feel a bit like you’re in a dream.

This Aethos hotel is located just a 15-minute drive from Ericeira, a small, renowned surf town that attracts world-class athletes and digital nomads alike. The drive from Lisbon airport isn’t long either and passes through the area’s green hills, dotted with clusters of white buildings with red tile roofs. The open, rolling roads lull you into a sort of meditation. Then you cross that final ridge, catching your first glimpse of the deep blue Atlantic Ocean, and Portugal’s surf coast is revealed in one fell swoop.

I recently stayed at Aethos Ericeira for four days and four nights, during what is considered low season for this region of Portugal, I surfed, explored Ericeira and Lisbon, ate well and had a great time. I was graciously welcomed by the property and checked how the World of Hyatt Credit Card lets you earn extra points and get rewards like free nights, higher elite status, and perks at Hyatt properties around the world. (Not to mention, new cardholders can earn up to 60,000 bonus points just for signing up.) Aethos Ericeira is part of Hyatt’s Mr & Mrs Smith luxury travel platform, which allows cardholders to Earn additional bonus points on stays, restaurants, spas and more.

This was my first trip to Portugal, which has been buzzing for years for its beauty and relative affordability. Indeed, Aethos Ericeira had everything this balanced traveler looks for in a wellness destination: breathtaking natural beauty for serenity; varied experiences to stay active; and delicious dishes and wines for gourmet and languorous meals.

If you’re considering a trip to Portugal, here’s why you should make a stop along the coast at Aethos Ericeira, even if just for a night or two, while exploring all that this beautiful country has to offer.

About Aethos Ericeira Wellness Hotel

What I like about Aethos Ericeira

As I mentioned, I like to think of myself as a pretty well-rounded traveler. This is why Aethos Ericeira is the best of all worlds. The property itself is beautiful, just a five-minute walk from a beach below the cliffs. But you’re also a reasonable Uber ride from Lisbon (about an hour and 50 euros each way), or a short drive to nearby surf towns where you can try the sport (or spend the day watching the locals play you). show how it is practiced). , enjoy very fresh Portuguese cuisine based on seafood and feel the relaxed atmosphere of the region.

Even if you prefer to stay put when you’re on vacation, Aethos Ericeira delivers on its promises. Arriving at the hotel, you feel like you’re isolated on top of a windy cliff. The facilities are beautifully designed – think whitewashed walls, sprawling geometric windows and Scandinavian details – and the rooms are well appointed. The minimal, airy layout perfectly complements the surrounding landscape. One afternoon, I opened the doors to my ocean-view balcony and listened to the waves crashing against the shore. Basically, I spent an entire hour watching the sun melt towards the horizon. Time seemed to stand still, mainly because the hotel was quiet during my visit – the days were unfolding as I wanted them to.

That’s another thing I loved about this hotel: it felt small and intimate. This could be due to the time of year I was visiting, as I can fully imagine the hotel’s saltwater pool and patio being filled with locals and travelers during the peak summer months. hot. But the staff learned my name, took the time to get to know me, and followed through on all the wellness activities I signed up for.

Which brings me to these activities: a private yoga class, a luxurious facial, a dip in the cold, and a surf lesson. The latter, in particular, seemed unique to the area and the hotel, and I would recommend anyone visiting the area to try it. I was surprised to be picked up for my surf session at the hotel by Joana Andradea professional big wave surfer racing Progress Surf School in Ericeira. Joana was preparing to surf 20 meter waves in Nazaré, so our instructor, Luis Ináciotook two other tourists and me to a protected area in the famous Ribeira d’Ilhas, where a world-famous surfing competition had taken place a few weeks before. Although I was admittedly very nervous about trying my hand at surfing – I had only been there a few times, years ago – the trip was perfect for a beginner. Sliding on the board, floating in the waves, pushing myself (and being able to ride foamy waves), I couldn’t stop smiling.

Finally, one of the things I looked forward to every day was a slow, fresh breakfast included with your stay. I snacked on fresh fruit, homemade granola, local cheeses, and perfectly cooked pastel de nata, a Portuguese staple that almost everyone I met told me I had to try. The hotel’s restaurant, Onda, was also a very solid option for other meals; I particularly liked the ceviche which I had during a late lunch and the seafood soup for dinner.

Such a comfortable, luxurious yet relaxed and visually stunning stay made leaving very difficult.

What to consider before booking Aethos Ericeira

Part of what makes Aethos Ericeira so special is that it really feels like its own little world, but that also means it’s a route to anywhere else. Most visitors rent cars, but I was happy to find that getting around via Uber was very manageable.

When planning your trip, you should also consider the time of year. Although you can surf year-round in Ericeira, November, December, and January are usually quite cold (in the 60s) and rainy. I’ve heard that early summer and early fall tours are the most popular. I was lucky during my four-day state at the end of November; the first day was gray and foggy, but other than that I had a mix of sun and clouds, with highs in the mid 60s.

For whom Aethos Ericeira is best

If you’re a surfer inclined toward luxury and good design, book a trip now. But even if you are someone who has only surfed once (me) or never, you will be able to enjoy Aethos Ericeira. My trip was relaxing, active and exciting at the same time: you can take a yoga class in the morning, go to Lisbon to explore the city for an afternoon, then wake up the next morning to surf and go to a afternoon wine estate. Of course, you can also just hang out at this impeccably composed hotel, but I advise you to try and experience what the Surf Coast and nearby Lisbon have to offer.

Is Aethos Ericeira worth the detour?

Although I didn’t think Portugal was a lot cheaper than other parts of Europe in terms of food and drink, the price of staying at Aethos Ericeira was definitely worth it. With rooms starting at around $250 in the off-season, the value for money is hard to beat: you get a luxury experience far from the price tag you’d encounter in, say, London or New York.

Rating:
★★★★★

Lena Felton (she/her) is Senior Content Director at PS, where she oversees reporting, special projects and identity content. Previously, she was an editor at the Washington Post, where she led a team covering gender and identity issues. She has worked in journalism since 2017, during which time she has focused on feature writing and editing and promoting historically underrepresented voices. Lena has worked for The Atlantic, InStyle, So It Goes and more.