PALACE HOTEL DO BUSSACO

Originally a monastery, this Manueline Gothic Palace is set in 200 acres of spectacular virgin forest scenery 30 minutes drive from Coimbra and 100 kilometers from Porto. Each guestroom or suite features Gothic and Edwardian décor, floral fabrics and antique dark wood furniture and many have mesmerizing views of the country. Private bathrooms feature bathroom telephones, showers and bathtubs. Each room also features climate control and a direct dial phone. The hotel's lobby features 18th century mosaic murals and stucco arches. The chandeliered palatial restaurant serves Bussaco wines from the cellar and is flooded with light through arched 17th Century monastery windows. The restaurant leads onto a charming terrace lined by Gothic pillars. The 'Carlos Reis' Bar is a perfect environment for an afternoon tea, an aperitif or post dinner liquor. The hotel is surrounded by dense woodland with many rare trees and plants brought back from colonial expeditions in the 17th century. When guests have discovered the countless architectural delights of the hotel, the formal gardens are perfect for a stroll and the forest is ideal for a serious ramble. The nearest airport is Oporto Airport which is approximately 100 kilometers away.