We are fans of design hotels. Our favorites in Portugal are: The lovely, intimate Albergaria do Calvario in Evora www.albergariadocalvario.com . The owners love modern design and support local artists. They are transforming this former 16th century olive mill, in the heart of the walled historic district, bit by bit, into a stunning, charming and special hotel. Their lavish breakfast made of organic and locally sourced ingredients is fantastic.
And then there is the magnificent Quinta da Romaneira www.quintadaromaneira.pt in the beautiful Douro Valley in northern Portugal. The Douro Valley is amazing wine country and classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Romaneira is amidst the vineyards above the Douro river. This hotel is a designer´s delight, decorated in a quirky Mediterranean style – comfortably elegant, modern with vintage finds and antiques. There is a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, hamman and wonderful restaurant. Staying here is a luxurious indulgence. Definitely a place to dream about!!
We love to travel, despite a limited budget, so we seek out interesting, comfortable and affordable guesthouses/B&Bs. Quality B&Bs often offer many of the amenities and good design comparable to top hotels at a fraction of the price. Frequently the owners live on site, love being innkeepers and strive to enhance their guests vacation by pampering them.
The tradition of bed and breakfast style lodgings goes back centuries. In rural areas, where public inns were not available, travelers could seek out a family with space to spare and a hot meal for a small charge. Twenty-first century B&Bs/guesthouses retain this hospitality in a warm, friendly setting which include catering creature comforts, tasty breakfasts, and are dedicated to the well-being of their guests at a fraction of the cost of quality hotels. B&Bs are often considered to be retreats from the craziness of the fast life and places to comfortably hang your hat and stay a while. Many innkeepers have created unique environments which endorse cocooning at its best – born of the owners desire to dedicate their lives to the care and relaxation of their guests. B&Bs have sprung up in protected areas such as national parks and nature reserves where strict building regulations prohibit large hotel chains from moving in.
In Portugal B&Bs can be found in country mansions, castles, ancient farmhouses, city apartments, stately villas etc.. Feel like home at Zuzabed www.zuzabed.com in the center of Lisbon. The owner has turned his apartment into what he wished to have found on his many travels.
Find tranquility, reenergize and delight in the incredible beauty of the Sintra Natural Park at Colina Flora www.colinaflora.com. Colina Flora is a small, yet lovely, eco-friendly country guesthouse with spacious, comfortable rooms and ocean views. Its rural location, in the heart of the Sintra hills, enables guests to hike for days in the Serra da Sintra´s hilly forests and along coastal paths or wander down to the several beautiful beaches. It is a 15 minute drive to historic Sintra and Cascais and just 35 minutes to downtown Lisbon. Surfing,cycling, hiking, golf, horseback riding, art and music festivals, wine-tours, yoga and specially themed workshops are some of the vast activity possiblities of this truely special area. As one of Colina Flora´s owners, I´m not very objective. So consider checking out our past guests reviews on www.tripadvisor.com or www.bedandbreakfast.com. Then consider indulging yourself, come visit and fall in love with Portugal, especially the Serra da Sintra. www.sintratourism.com
And then there is the magnificent Quinta da Romaneira www.quintadaromaneira.pt in the beautiful Douro Valley in northern Portugal. The Douro Valley is amazing wine country and classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Romaneira is amidst the vineyards above the Douro river. This hotel is a designer´s delight, decorated in a quirky Mediterranean style – comfortably elegant, modern with vintage finds and antiques. There is a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, hamman and wonderful restaurant. Staying here is a luxurious indulgence. Definitely a place to dream about!!
We love to travel, despite a limited budget, so we seek out interesting, comfortable and affordable guesthouses/B&Bs. Quality B&Bs often offer many of the amenities and good design comparable to top hotels at a fraction of the price. Frequently the owners live on site, love being innkeepers and strive to enhance their guests vacation by pampering them.
The tradition of bed and breakfast style lodgings goes back centuries. In rural areas, where public inns were not available, travelers could seek out a family with space to spare and a hot meal for a small charge. Twenty-first century B&Bs/guesthouses retain this hospitality in a warm, friendly setting which include catering creature comforts, tasty breakfasts, and are dedicated to the well-being of their guests at a fraction of the cost of quality hotels. B&Bs are often considered to be retreats from the craziness of the fast life and places to comfortably hang your hat and stay a while. Many innkeepers have created unique environments which endorse cocooning at its best – born of the owners desire to dedicate their lives to the care and relaxation of their guests. B&Bs have sprung up in protected areas such as national parks and nature reserves where strict building regulations prohibit large hotel chains from moving in.
In Portugal B&Bs can be found in country mansions, castles, ancient farmhouses, city apartments, stately villas etc.. Feel like home at Zuzabed www.zuzabed.com in the center of Lisbon. The owner has turned his apartment into what he wished to have found on his many travels.
Find tranquility, reenergize and delight in the incredible beauty of the Sintra Natural Park at Colina Flora www.colinaflora.com. Colina Flora is a small, yet lovely, eco-friendly country guesthouse with spacious, comfortable rooms and ocean views. Its rural location, in the heart of the Sintra hills, enables guests to hike for days in the Serra da Sintra´s hilly forests and along coastal paths or wander down to the several beautiful beaches. It is a 15 minute drive to historic Sintra and Cascais and just 35 minutes to downtown Lisbon. Surfing,cycling, hiking, golf, horseback riding, art and music festivals, wine-tours, yoga and specially themed workshops are some of the vast activity possiblities of this truely special area. As one of Colina Flora´s owners, I´m not very objective. So consider checking out our past guests reviews on www.tripadvisor.com or www.bedandbreakfast.com. Then consider indulging yourself, come visit and fall in love with Portugal, especially the Serra da Sintra. www.sintratourism.com
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