Immerso — Hotel in Mafra

During a five-night stay at Immerso, I found a property that does something rare: it brings together thoughtful design, a strong sense of place, and service that feels deeply personal. What follows is a closer look at how it all comes together. ||Location:||Immerso sits quietly in the hills above Ericeira, with long views over the Atlantic and the protected coastline of a World Surf Reserve. The setting balances raw nature and modern design—removed from Lisbon’s pace, yet close enough to reach in under an hour. This is the greener, wilder side of Portugal’s west coast.||A short drive to the coast brings you to Ericeira’s old town, where cobbled streets open onto seafood spots (Esplanada Furnas is a must) and low-key shops. Some of Portugal’s best waves also happen to break nearby—Coxos and Ribeira d’Ilhas are both close. Sintra and Cascais are also within easy reach for day trips. The hotel is tucked into the landscape, with no through traffic. Once on the property, it’s the quiet and the view that take over.||Design:||Immerso’s design is organic, but not in a loose or rustic way. Spaces are restrained, tactile, and deeply livable—cool concrete underfoot, comfortable lounge areas, light that moves quietly across the surfaces. Nothing tries too hard, but everything feels intentional.||Minimal signage reflects just how naturally the space flows. The layout is intuitive—paths, doors, and sightlines guide you naturally. It feels less like navigating a hotel and more like moving through a home that’s been lived in and designed with care.||Outside, the landscape design is calm and controlled. Native grasses soften the edges. Low stone walls follow the contours of the land. Garden beds near the restaurant are planted with purpose, not decoration. From most angles, the buildings hold back letting the hillside and horizon take the lead.||Room:||My suite at Immerso was quietly luxurious—comfortable, calming, and intentionally designed. Everything felt considered, from the materials to the layout. Light came in all day, and the materials—wood, linen, and stone—added quiet texture and a sense of place.  The room was instantly relaxing—familiar, grounded, and easy to settle into. It felt like a space that was already yours.||The details that are usually sacrificed for the sake of design weren’t. Storage was generous, lighting adjusted naturally throughout the day, and the seating was genuinely comfortable. Even the hangers (by Aslotel) stood out—solid wood, well-shaped, and better than any I’ve seen in a hotel. ||Hospitality: ||Service at Immerso is quietly exceptional—possibly the best I’ve experienced in any hotel stay. It’s never showy, but always present. The team moves with ease, anticipates needs without hovering, and makes the experience personal. ||What stands out most is how unscripted it was (in the best way). Nothing forced, performative, or choreographed. It’s clear the leadership has chosen people who care, and given them the trust and space to do things well. You feel that trust in every part of the experience—consistent, generous, and quietly precise.||It’s unhelpful to single anyone out, because what makes it exceptional is the consistency. Everyone operates with the same quiet confidence, striking that rare balance between warmth and professionalism.||A few moments worth noting:||– Room numbers were remembered without being asked, not just by one person but across the team—and not just for us.|– The welcome drink was personalized, based on a casual comment at check-in.|– Turndown and housekeeping were always timed when we were out, never intrusive, and included thoughtful, handwritten notes.|– Poolside service was seamless—staff were attentive without hovering. You never had to flag someone down.||Breakfast:||Breakfast followed the usual format of a European hotel—cold items and fresh fruit at the buffet, with a small à la carte menu included. But the range was more generous than most, and the quality was a cut above. The pastry program, in particular, was done well: fresh croissants that were actually enjoyable, not dry or overly buttery; a rotating cake of the day; and of course pastel de nata. ||Lunch:||For a boutique property, the lunch options were surprisingly broad. The pool bar menu is focused but excellent—the tuna “sandwich” (really a burger) was a standout. But the real highlight was lunch at Emme outdoors. They brought out a platter of whole local fish, asked what we wanted, and grilled it just steps away over a wood fire, asador-style.  ||You can keep it casual with pizzas from the wood oven or go more elevated with dishes like grilled tiger prawns. We were a medium-sized group and ended up trying nearly everything. The food was consistent across the board—simply grilled fish, prawns, pizzas—all simple but well done. The wine list is also worth noting: thoughtful, fairly priced (a rarity), and far better than you’d expect for the setting.||Dinner:||If you’re staying more than a few nights, it’s worth making time for dinner both at Emme and in town. Emme easily holds its own. The restaurant, developed in collaboration with Alexandre Silva (of Michelin-starred Loco in Lisbon), feels like a serious dining experience—not a typical hotel restaurant.||The menu balances refinement with regional depth. Highlights included the grilled cuttlefish with cuttlefish ink creamy rice, the Peniche market fish from the Josper, and a rustic Alentejo-style grilled pork neck with asparagus and migas. Hospitality matched the food: gracious, present, and far more polished than what you’d expect in a beach town setting.||For meals off-property, there are also strong options nearby. In addition to Esplanada Furnas (shared above), Golfinho Azul, Costa Frita, and Canastra are all worth a visit—each with its own charm and style.||A Final Take: ||What lingered most wasn’t a single moment, but how naturally everything worked in sync. The setting, the design, the people. Immerso doesn’t overreach, and that’s what makes it memorable. For travelers who value quiet detail over spectacle, it’s an easy place to feel at home. Thank you to the entire Immerso team for making my...

This is a difficult review to write as there was some very good and some bad with this property. I think with some tweaks this hotel has great potential.

Location (5/5): Fantastic location! It is so pretty, peaceful, and away from the hussle and bustle of Ericeria but only a 5 minute drive away. Also a lovely 15 minute walk to the beach.

Amenities (4/5): Gorgeous pool! Very basic spa (not impressed with Sauna or Turkish bath). Really no special ammenties or surprises.

Service (2/5): This was a bad point. We had an issue that was inappropriately resolved and left me with a sour taste in my mouth. We booked a very last minute reservation (same day arrival) and was told a booking confirmation would be emailed to me. After a few hours of not receiving one, I called hotel and asked for it to be sent. They told me they don't email when reservation is made for same day but not to worry everything was confirmed. We checked in with no problems and that evening I logged into what's app to message a surf company (we never use what's app). I noticed the booking confirmation was sent there and looked at it and noticed a €40/night food credit. We were never told about this during booking or checkin and if I was emailed the confirmation as requested twice I would have known. Additonally I had spent money at pool on snacks the first day but didnt charge to room, rather paid with my credit card (of course if I knew I had a food credit I would have put on room!) I inquired the next morning and asked the front desk manager (Paolo) to allow us to use the credit from the first night on the second day. He was so incredibly rude and said not possible. After push back he agreed, but lectured me that it was not his fault I don't check messages. This infuriated me as he was so rude. I told him I made a reservation at 8am and asked multiple times for booking to be emailed to me. Further nobody explained these ammenties to me. I never consented to only being communicated through what's app and further requested email many times. The hotel was wrong. Completely unacceptable service for a 5 star property. Also when paying €690 a night not sure why they are fighting over €40, when I will end up spending way more in restraunt.

Food (5/5): Incredible lunch and service! Telhom was great and honestly should be a manager at this hotel. Food was so good. Very upsetting that guests don't get priority reservations. They had a bug promotional party going on and we couldn't eat until very late. Perhaps let hotel guests eat when they want so they will want to return and not worry about having cameras, models, etc. I'm sure hotel will respond that guests will get priority, but that is not correct.

Rooms (3/5): Very basic considering price paid (€690/night). Nothing fancy and almost sterile feeling with all the concrete. No separate bathroom or door for toliet and only way to go to bathroom at night was to turn on lights and wake partner up or try to go in dark.

Value (1/5): Defitnely not worth price paid. Very expensive by Portugal standards and no where near the quality of a 5 star hotel like a Four Seasons.

Would I return: Maybe, if prices were adjusted and some staff were not as stuffy. We did not feel...

A Healing Haven at Immerso: A Luxury Wellness Hotel That Truly Cares

My recent stay at Immerso was nothing short of life-changing. I came here after the devastating loss of my father, who was also my best friend, carrying a heavy heart and in need of a supportive, restorative environment. From the moment I arrived, the staff at Immerso welcomed me with kindness and understanding that went far beyond anything I expected. They created a space that felt not just luxurious, but profoundly healing.

Every member of the team was genuinely attentive, ensuring my comfort and going out of their way to offer the support I needed, both emotionally and physically. As a person with a disability, I’m often met with awkwardness or a lack of accommodations when traveling. Here, though, the team provided thoughtful and seamless assistance, showing a level of respect and attentiveness that allowed me to relax without any self-consciousness. The hotel’s accessibility features were remarkable, and every aspect of the property—from the spa to the dining areas—was designed with inclusivity in mind, creating a welcoming environment that treated me with dignity and care.

The wellness offerings at Immerso are truly special. Their serene spaces and skilled practitioners provided much-needed relief and comfort. Every treatment was tailored to my needs, and the team went above and beyond to make me feel safe, supported, and rejuvenated during one of the most difficult times in my life.

Immerso isn’t just a luxury hotel; it’s a place that radiates compassion and healing. I left feeling lighter, grateful, and comforted by the experience. For anyone in need of a sanctuary with heart, especially if you’re facing difficult times or have specific needs, I cannot recommend Immerso...