Pousada in Guimaraes - Santa Marinha
Pousada in Guimaraes - Hotel Santa Marinha
On a hill outside the town of Guimaraes in Portugal, this Hotel Pousada Santa Marinha is a converted 17th Century Augustinian convent.
This is one of two Pousadas in Guimaraes and it is considered to be one of the best in the group. It was awarded the coveted Europa Nostra prize for its renovation and restoration.
Guimaraes, “The cradle of the Nation” is the birthplace of the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, and was the first capital of Portugal. As befits a town of such eminence, Guimaraes has a wealth of magnificent buildings.
King Afonso Henriques was born in the impressive 10th Century castle, he established the first Portuguese court here in the 12th Century.
Just below the castle, the little Romanesque Capela de Sao Miguel still celebrates mass on the king’s birthday.
The medieval Paco dos Duques was the residence of the Royal House of Braganca in the 15th Century. Extensively restored, it now houses a museum and an art gallery with a fine collection of portrait paintings.
The old town has some wonderful medieval buildings particularly round the Largo da Oliveira, the most impressive of which is the church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira.
We stayed here in October and loved the pousada. Our room was lovely and clean as was the bathroom. All the public areas are beautiful and comfortable - so much to see and explore. We did not have time to get into town which I am sorry to have missed but it was so lovely when we arrived that we just enjoyed sitting on one of the patios watching the sunset and then off to a delicious dinner with wonderful service in the dining room. Breakfast was also plentiful and delicious and the entire staff was friendly and very helpful.
My wife and I have visited the beatuiful Pousada several times, and this year in September. This time we stayed over two weeks for five days, and this gives the problem, that your menu card is changed too seldom. You should change some of the dishes at least every week. When we wanted to try the restaurant in the other Pousada in central Guimaraes, we found out, that i was excatly the same menu card. But we love the place, and will probobly be back next year, and we hope that you then will have solved the problem.
Kjeld Christensen
with my wife we enjoyed to stay at pousada for 4 days(27th/30th Jul 09)
wonderful place,impressive building,small but nice room and nice restaurant.Guimaraes and nearby places as Porto,Braga are easy to reach.
Hotel personel are really very friendly.
we hope to come back soon.
We stayed there on July 4th for one night and had a delightful experience, nice room with the view good food and very beautiful surrounding, may be one day we can come back. The Hotel personel was very very friendly.
Christine McAllen
I am told that the town is very interesting ….. but with such perfection at the poussada, I was loath to wander in to the very hot and sticky Guimaraes.
I did visit Amarante, the rather quaint and picturesque town nearby, to see a nephew but other that that, I enjoyed the facilities and the excellent, helpful staff.
We stayed at the pousada for 3 nights (28 Apr - 1 May).
It is a wonderful place, very impressive building, nice room and excellent restaurant.
The town of Guimares is very interesting and easy to reach from the pousada.
I believe this Pousada was restored by my old friend Fernando Távora. The last time I saw him, he recommended this pousada to us. My wife and I stayed there, but, sadly, did not have time to visit the environs, which sound fascinating. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the quiet elegance of our room and the dining room, where we had excellent meals. There was a cemetery next door, which, being November first, was decorated with flowers and candles.
Sadly, both my wife and Fernando are no longer with us, but the memories live on.