Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães — Hotel in Guimarães

Just back from two wonderful days at the Pousada. The old monastery has been fully renovated to provide a high standard of modern amenities while preserving the grandeur and quite elegance of the past. The enormous public rooms, quite cloisters, gracious verandahs and extensive landscaped gardens make this a destination in its own right. This is the type of place you would expect to have to pay an entrance fee and be watched by security guards. Instead you are free to wander the halls and find your own quite space.|Our standard room was spacious with full height French windows overlooking the city below. The bed area was separated by two steps up to a sitting area with sofa/bed, arm chairs and coffee table. Bed was very comfortable and had selection of comfy pillows. Hot water flowed in the shower very quickly. A/C worked fine. Breakfast was top class with hot and cold buffet kept well stocked. Dinner in the elegant dining room was excellent and service was top notch. Reservations are a must. We weren't able to get a place for our second night and food offerings in the bar are quite limited.|Despite the grandeur of the Pousada, it was the staff - every one of them - that stood out as one of the most memorable aspects of our stay. Wait staff were constantly attentive. We were barely out of the car before one of the receptionists was there to greet us and to take our bags. As we were about to leave, we were confronted with a dead car battery. The receptionist called the rental company for us and made all of the arrangements to have a mechanic there in less than 20 minutes.|I am typically a Scrooge type traveler, but I thought our stay at Pousada was tremendous...

A superb hotel. A beautiful building (visit Father Jeronimo's balcony while you are there but also the lovely cloister and Chapter Room). Extremely kind and helpful staff. Our receptionist had worked there for 20 years and greatly added to our enjoyment. A very relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere despite the stunning surroundings, and we felt at home. There are lots of places to sit and read inside and outside. There's a hiking trail just below the hotel marked in red and yellow which goes straight (straight!) up the mountain behind. About a strenuous hour to walk there and back. A lovely massage. There is a resident and much-loved cat. We didn't eat dinner: there were lots of choices for breakfast though the pasteleis de nata were not good and the coffee not the best the fruit salad was lovely. The building is beautifully kept but it is very sad that the monastery's church to which it is attached is obviously in big trouble with a leaking, failing roof. But a great experience. The best hotel we found in Portugal, and somewhere we'd love to return. Reccomend the lovely Formigas restaurant nearby in the park, and the gastronomic...

We had a truly beautiful, wonderful, and peaceful stay—an experience we will cherish for a long time. From the moment we arrived, we felt enveloped in a sense of calm and serenity that only a place with such deep history and purpose can offer. We were incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to stay in such an amazing and sacred historical site. The monastery is a true gem—lovingly preserved, immaculately clean, and full of character. Every corner tells a story, and the quiet beauty of the surroundings brings a profound sense of peace.||The attention to detail in maintaining the monastery is evident throughout. The grounds are pristine, the architecture is stunning, and the atmosphere is one of gentle reverence. What made our stay even more special was the outstanding service. Every member of the staff was kind, respectful, and attentive, making us feel welcome and cared for at all times. Their first-class service added a personal touch to our experience that we will...