Palace Hotel do Buçaco

Location:
Mata do Bussaco
Luso, Portugal

Hotel

By Christopher Minster

In 1888, King Carlos of Portugal decided he needed a hunting retreat and ordered the construction of an extravagant palace on the site of an old monastery in the Buçaco woods, which also happened to be the site of one of Portugal’s greatest military victories ever. The palace is a lavish mish-mash of styles, full of gardens, towers, ornate stonework and more. The Portuguese Royal family only got to use it once: it was the scene of a tryst between Carlos’ son, King Manuel II, and a French actress. According to many, the extravagant cost of the palace was one of the causes of the people rising up against their King. Perhaps the people felt that the royal family already had enough palaces.

The royal family’s loss is everyone else’s gain. The breathtaking palace became a luxury hotel after World War I, and has been hosting well-heeled and famous visitors ever since. The hotel is a maze of paneled hallways, carpeted stone stairways, finely carved marble columns and intricate tile mosaics. The rooms are very nice, although some are larger than others. Some of the rooms have small balconies which are great for hanging out and drinking Portuguese wine. The restaurant is expensive, naturally, but first-class with tasty food and a variety of options, including some that were on the menu back when the kings still came to visit.

If you can, try to visit in mid-May when the locals have folkloric singing and dancing competitions. They’re lots of fun and picturesque!

This Hotel is: Very expensive

Hotel Amenities, Services and Facilities All Credit Cards Accepted, Restaurant, Bar, Breakfast Included, Internet Facilities - Charge, Safe in Reception or Rooms, Lounge, Luggage Storage, Parking - Free, Linens Included, Non-Smoking Rooms, 24-Hour Hot Water, Gift Shop, Wheelchair Accessible, Child-Friendly Facilities, Room Service, Wake-Up Call, Towels Included

Room Prices:
Lower:€150
Higher:€1000+

Contact Information:
Zip: 3050-261 Luso
Phone: 351 231 937 970
Fax: 351 231 930 509
E-mail: bussaco(at)remove-this.almeidahotels.com
URL: www.almeidahotels.com/nm_quemsomos.php

Traveler Reviews of

fairy-tale come to life

Rating: 100%

Who wouldn't want to stay in a palace built for a Royal Family? First-class all the way, if you can afford it. If you can't, be sure to at least visit.

By Gideon from Scottsville, NY, Oct 09, 2007