Travellers can’t believe Portugal is so cheap, says luxury hotels boss

IT’S got beautiful countryside, gorgeous weather and a stunning coast — and its luxury hotels are so affordable visitors can’t believe it’s for real.

Camilo Beach in Lagos, Portugal.

IT’S got beautiful countryside, gorgeous weather and a stunning coastline.

And it’s so affordable that travellers can’t believe it’s actually possible.

Portugal is one of the hottest up-and-coming destinations for luxury travellers, according to one of the world’s leading hoteliers.

The challenge, says Small Luxury Hotels’ CEO Filip Boyen, is convincing high-end travellers that just $250 a night can actually buy the kind of luxury that you might expect to pay double for elsewhere.

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“Portugal is emerging as a luxury destination,” he says.

“They have everything — the weather, countryside, culture ... and it’s incredibly cheap for what you get. If you tell an American (luxury traveller) they can get a luxury hotel for $250 a night, they won’t believe you.”

And Boyen says the time to visit is now, before more cashed-up travellers catch onto this value-for-money destination.

The stunning Pousada Mosteiro do Crato is priced from about $150 a night. Picture: Small Luxury Hotels

The boss of the boutique accommodation group is taking a break out of his schedule touring Australia’s top luxury hotels to catch up with Escape.

That’s right — it’s Boyen’s job to travel the world and stay in top hotels everywhere he goes.

Already on this trip he’s stayed at Perth’s Como The Treasury, which was last year named the second best hotel in the world. And on his way back to Europe, he’s swinging by Fiji’s exclusive new Kokomo Private Island, the $3000-plus a night boutique resort owned by Australian billionaire Lang Walker.

It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it.

Today we’re meeting at Ovolo Woolloomooloo in Sydney, which, having bagged a stack of awards and rave reviews since opening in 2015, is in the process of becoming Small Luxury Hotels’ sixth Australian member.

Kokomo Private Island, Fiji. Picture: Small Luxury Hotels

Getting paid to stay at the world’s top hotels sounds like a pretty good job ... how does one get that gig?

“I’ve been a hotelier all my life. I started in the kitchen and worked my way up. (Prior to joining Small Luxury Hotels, Boyen held senior roles at luxury hotel group Belmond). These days I spend about six months of the year travelling.”

Best travel experience?

“Hot air ballooning in Bagan in Burma (Myanmar). You’re floating in the sky and you see through the mist all these golden points of the temples — wow. And it’s a lovely country and cultural people.”

He’s always travelling to new places, but Myanmar ranks as No. 1 for Filip Boyen.

What do you look for in a hotel?

“I look at the staff — do they really want to be there? That’s the million-dollar question. I look for eye contact, a big smile, and do they welcome me truly? First impressions are everything.

I stayed at Como The Treasury in Perth and it was phenomenal. I walked in at 1am and these guys were seamless — it was just sign here, up to the room and the guy with the luggage was already on the way. He said you must be tired so get some rest then tomorrow when you’re ready I’ll give you an orientation. That’s a great welcome.”

Como the Treasury, Perth. Picture: Small Luxury Hotels

What’s the key to a good hotel room?

“Great connectivity is important. The location of (power) plugs is a big thing — and often overlooked by designers. There are hotels that have been refurbished where you still have to get on your knees under the bed to find the plug.”

Best meal in a hotel?

“Hotel de la Villa in Monza, Italy. What an experience! These guys were just amazing — the hospitality is just mind blowing. There are three generations of one family working there, and the restaurant is not like a hotel restaurant at all, it’s more like a snack bar. They did some risottos to put the lights out.”

Hotel de la Ville, Monza, Italy. Picture: Small Luxury Hotels

How has luxury travel changed over the years?

“Modern luxury travellers are tired of the predictability of the big brands. They want to be surprised (as long as it’s pleasantly!) They care less about the building and material things and more about the experiential.

“Twenty years ago, hotels tired to keep their customers prisoner in the hotel. These days people are a lot more adventurous — they want to be taken out of the hotel.

“Today it’s all about authenticity. They want more and more personal experiences, and to do things like meeting local characters, so hotels need to get more and more creative to meet those expectations.

Ovolo Woolloomooloo, Sydney. Picture: Small Luxury Hotels

Top picks for the next hot destinations?

“Greece is starting to do very well. Portugal is emerging as a luxury destination. But Italy is still the destination. Other top / growing spots for us include Paris, London, Dubai, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan and Croatia.”

Best jet lag tip?

“Adjust ASAP to local time. So the moment you get on the plane, you’re on the time of your destination. Try not to sleep on the plane, or if it’s a long flight, have a few hours rest overnight (according to destination time). And when you get there, never take a day off when you’re travelling because otherwise you start to feel sorry for yourself.”

Small Luxury Hotels CEO Filip Boyen.

Thoughts on Aussie travellers?

“Our hoteliers love Australians. They travel a long way (to reach Europe, for example) so they stay longer, they love their food and wine, and they’re generally nice people.”

Any plans to expand the Small Luxury Hotels network in Australia?

“We now have six hotels (Como The Treasury and Smiths Beach Resort in WA, Halycon House and Ovolo Woolloomooloo in NSW, Thorngrove Manor Hotel in SA and Woodbridge on the Derwent in Tasmania) but I would love to have nine or 10 hotels in Australia. The style of hotel isn’t important, as long as the experience is special, and the location needs to be right.”

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