Comments Pousada in Palmela
Pousada in Palmela – Hotel Castelo de Palmela
Pousada de Palmela – Castelo de Palmela, was inaugurated in 1979 after the adaptation works to the Convent, within the walls of the castle. With all its austerity, it is possible to enjoy its interior in a comfortable way that preserves a lot of the 17th century.
This historic luxury hotel is located on top of an imposing hill, and it is one of the best architectural fortresses in Portugal, specially known for its location and the magnificent views that it has to offer.
Palmela boasts excellent wines and superb cuisine, and it is also the perfect starting place to discover the Costa Azul and the magnificent Arrabida Natural Park.
Below are some comments of guests who recently stayed in Pousada in Palmela.
We enjoyed every mtnuie of our stay in Setubal, staff were charming and helpful, the rooms delightful, and the views spectacular. Breakfasts were most enjoyable. My only gripe is a typical British one in that whereas we are used to hot meals on hot plates at dinner here at home that is not so common in Portugal, ( and Spain!) where they are often only luke warm. The quality and the service were first class however.We have become great admirers of Pousadas and will continue to work our way around Portugal until we have visited most, if not all , of them.
We had a lovely stay in 4 different Pousadas over six days. The standards of the hotels were very good: Excellent rooms, friendly helpful service, excellent restaurants (we had dinners and breakfast), and all were in historical locations next to fascinating castles, palaces, monasteries, etc. I say next to, because that was our only disappointment. We had expected the accomodation to be in the premises they were advertised, but generally the rooms were in modern extensions to the castle/palace/etc they were advertised to be in. The rooms were very comfortable, don’t get me wrong, but the architecture of the new wings were often in stark contrast to the historical venue they were attached to. A pitty.
Our eipcrxenee was flawless the public rooms and the bedrooms were impressive, the views incredible, and the sense of history ever present. The price for all this, and it being July, was pretty reasonable. I had stayed at this pousada once several years ago and this time had an American visitor with an early morning flight from Lisbon, so the location was ideal to get to the airport easily. Moreover, after the villa-laden Algarve, I wanted to show off an impressive part of Portuguese history. The evening meal in the restaurant was pricey, but I had one of the most memorable steaks I’ve ever had. Previously, we have had deplorable and inedible but nevertheless expensive meals in a couple of other pousadas in the north of Portugal, so both times Palmela’s offerings were most welcomed part of the reason I chose Palmela on this occasion was the idea the food would be of high standard. One small niggle we were three people given a choice in a nearly empty restaurant of only two tables right by the door (and I had made a restaurant reservation in advance). At first I thought the other tables would fill up, so fair enough. But when they remained empty, I thought the staff could have been a bit more generous in their seating to make diners feel more special when clearly the space allows. Still, a small matter in an otherwise lovely stay. We thought breakfast had more than sufficient choice and the patio setting was lovely. The staff were always helpful and polite, although we did not challenge them with any special requests. I agree with one commentator that there could be more information provided in each room about the history of the place and the two churches there. Comments have been made about the bathroms and they are in decoration a bit yesterday, but that too has charm and they were clean and functional. Overall full marks and I would have absolutely no hesitation in returning summer or winter!
My dhteaugr and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Pousada in Palmela. We were awed by the location of this old fortress and church on top of an extremely rugged hill and happy that we did not decide to stay in a high-rise hotel in Lisbon. Our reception there was warm and efficient and, because we were early, we were allowed to store our luggage in the reception area until check-in time. Our room was very lovely and even luxurious, quiet, extremely clean and had a very modern private bathroom with plenty of spotless towels. The daily chocolates on our pillows were also a nice touch. The walls were very thick and had charming windows that offered us a fabulous view overlooking the countryside. They even had shutters that we could close to avoid the morning sunlight. Apparently the renovations have rectified all of the problems that previous visitors suggested. During our stay we ate dinner in the pousada’s fine restaurant and found the food well presented and delicious especially the desserts. We spent our days wandering around this historical site, and visiting the quaint nearby town with its tiled buildings and cobbled streets before returning to our lodgings. I recommend this pousada highly!
We own peptrroy in the Algarve and have been staying at the Pousada in Palmela since 1993, usually before our return flight to New York. Over 18 years, we have gotten to know quite a few members of the staff and without exception, they have been warm, welcoming, and very helpful. We recently stayed at Palmela on May 3, 2011, and even though our stay is normally only for one night, we are treated like Royalty, always given the same room (?our?quarto) each time. On this last stay, FERNANDA, the receptionist on duty, was particularly friendly and most helpful in helping us resolve a TV problem. She even came by for a chat while we were at dinner, sharing some photos with us?as a friend might do. Additionally, any special request (I usually ask for a plate & some silverware for a snack in our room after our long drive from the Algarve) is promptly attended to.?.As everyone notes, the views are spectacular, but this, of itself, would not warrant a return visit; it is the cleanliness and majesty of the castle and the warmth of the staff which is most memorable. But my husband and I do have two recommendations. First, as has been affirmed by several others, the Bathrooms really do need a makeover. Portugal is known for its beautiful and elaborate tiles and it is a shame not to utilize them in the Bathrooms. These ?azuelos? are unique to Portugal, so why not advertise them as the Spanish do in their Paradores! Second, instead of serving dinner in the rather cavernous restaurant, especially when it is often semi-empty, serve it off the patio where breakfast is served each morning. It is intimate and quite lovely to look across at the courtyard and steeple. We had dinner here on this last stay but only because there was a large party in the dining room?..What a lucky accident!All in all, if you can, do make this Pousada a stop on your stay in Portugal, even if only for one night. You will not be disappointed.
What an excellent pousada! Yes there were some renovations going on but they were not at all intrusive. We have stayed at many pousadas over the years but this is one of the very best.
The staff were delightful, particularly at reception. The restaurant was a pleasure to eat in and the service professional without being intrusive.
I really can’t agree with some of the negative comments above, we will definitely return and for much longer this next time. Portugal at it’s best, thank you for a wonderful stay.
This was our first experience with a Pousada and our first trip to Portugal.
We could not have wished for a more wonderful experience with both the country and our Pousada stay. The staff, room, food, everything, was absolutely excellent. Even the small town of Palmela was quaint and nice and just a short walk from the “hotel”. If Castelo de Palmela is representative of the other Pousadas, we can’t wait for our next visit, perhaps in another section of this wonderful country.
We stayed at two pousadas in Portugal, 10 days in Palmela and 3 in Alcaser during September 2011.Both were good, and of the two we would rate Palmela higher for the ambience and the warmth of the staff. We were made to feel at home by everyone, right from the time we checked in late in the evening, despite their disadvantage with English. Some, like Raquel and Miguel went the extra mile in helping us with the locale and other bookings. The food was no doubt excellent, but pricey compared to food in the village that was as good in quality. A more reasonable pricing would perhaps attract outside customers as well, since the dining hall was rarely even half full. The breakfast was excellent.
We suggest that all pousadas provide some basic amenities that are taken for granted all over the world: free internet, free coffee &tea in the room with water heaters, and common washer/driers for longer term passport users. These cost very little more to provide and leave the customer more satisfied.
The pousadas, especially with the passport scheme for seniors, seem to be well kept secret known mainly within Europe. Asia could be a great market if marketed well.
My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Pousada in Palmela. We were awed by the location of this old fortress and church on top of an extremely rugged hill and happy that we did not decide to stay in a high-rise hotel in Lisbon. Our reception there was warm and efficient and, because we were early, we were allowed to store our luggage in the reception area until check-in time. Our room was very lovely and even luxurious, quiet, extremely clean and had a very modern private bathroom with plenty of spotless towels. The daily chocolates on our pillows were also a nice touch. The walls were very thick and had charming windows that offered us a fabulous view overlooking the countryside. They even had shutters that we could close to avoid the morning sunlight. Apparently the renovations have rectified all of the problems that previous visitors suggested. During our stay we ate dinner in the pousada’s fine restaurant and found the food well presented and delicious…especially the desserts. We spent our days wandering around this historical site, and visiting the quaint nearby town with its tiled buildings and cobbled streets before returning to our lodgings. I recommend this pousada highly!
We own property in the Algarve and have been staying at the Pousada in Palmela since 1993, usually before our return flight to New York. Over 18 years, we have gotten to know quite a few members of the staff and without exception, they have been warm, welcoming, and very helpful. We recently stayed at Palmela on May 3, 2011, and even though our stay is normally only for one night, we are treated like Royalty, always given the same room (“our”quarto) each time. On this last stay, FERNANDA, the receptionist on duty, was particularly friendly and most helpful in helping us resolve a TV problem. She even came by for a chat while we were at dinner, sharing some photos with us—as a friend might do. Additionally, any special request (I usually ask for a plate & some silverware for a snack in our room after our long drive from the Algarve) is promptly attended to.
….As everyone notes, the views are spectacular, but this, of itself, would not warrant a return visit; it is the cleanliness and majesty of the castle and the warmth of the staff which is most memorable. But my husband and I do have two recommendations. First, as has been affirmed by several others, the Bathrooms really do need a makeover. Portugal is known for its beautiful and elaborate tiles and it is a shame not to utilize them in the Bathrooms. These “azuelos” are unique to Portugal, so why not advertise them as the Spanish do in their Paradores! Second, instead of serving dinner in the rather cavernous restaurant, especially when it is often semi-empty, serve it off the patio where breakfast is served each morning. It is intimate and quite lovely to look across at the courtyard and steeple. We had dinner here on this last stay but only because there was a large party in the dining room…..What a lucky accident!
All in all, if you can, do make this Pousada a stop on your stay in Portugal, even if only for one night. You will not be disappointed.
Pousada Palmela was serendipitous for us. We had not made plans to stay here, but were so disappointed with the previous pousada in Estremoz, we decided to take a chance. The surrounding town is nothing to write home about, but this well-kept pousada itself was wonderful. Our room, with a lovely view and a spectacular tiled bathroom was the best of all the pousadas. The effusive hostess who checked us in (wish I could remember her name), treated us like long, lost friends and our waiter at dinner was a doll. When he learned we were from Hawaii, he very enthusiastically told us of his great passion for surfing. Again, it was as if we were long, lost friends. Your better known pousadas need to take lessons from Palmela. You also need to take a serious look at upgrading the quality of food served at evening meals. That being said, would I reccommend Pousadas of Portugal to friends? Absolutely!
Our stay in May was a warm welcoming stay, with good food, polite and pleasant staff. The views were breathtaking from our rooms, and the staff accommodating us very well indeed by giving us a room by my in laws so we could be nearer to them. Rooms were very clean as always when in Portugal. A pleasant and comfortable 3 days.
Our stay was wonderful, a beautiful place with wonderful staff, and close to
Lisbon.
Hello;
We have been travelling to and staying in Pousadas for many years and always find the service , food and accomodations excellent. Certainly a great value in November or if you are a senior. The staff are all friendly and helpful however one lady in particular has made our trips so much easier to organize, Clara Soares, her help in booking and attention to detail fill us with confidence whenever we go. A big thanks to Clara !
Dudley Hill
Palmela was very comfortable with excellent service and good food.
The location of the Pousada with its views across the surrounding countryside is absolutely superb. Once one is close to Palmela, further directions to the Pousada are not really required, all you have to do is look up to the top of the hill.
Reception upon arrival was great and thereafter could not be faulted.
Our rooms looked over the “esplalade”, used as the carpark, towards the castle but any noise from the cars parking etc was not obtruisive at all.
We looked at the evening meal menu but it seemed to be pricey for what was on offer. Possibly a table d’hote menu could have offered a more attractive option. We ate in a couple of restaurants within a few hundred yards of the hotel, enjoyed them thoroughly and the stroll back up the hill towards the flood-lit castle was delightful.
My overall comment is that the conversion of the convent has been very well done retaining its old features very tastefully.
We only really visit Portugal for golfing breaks and therefore it is the location of the Pousada relative to the golf courses that is the deciding factor. If we play the local golf courses again, I would certainly stay at the Pousada de Castelo de Palmela.
Our experience was flawless – the public rooms and the bedrooms were impressive, the views incredible, and the sense of history ever present. The price for all this, and it being July, was pretty reasonable. I had stayed at this pousada once several years ago and this time had an American visitor with an early morning flight from Lisbon, so the location was ideal to get to the airport easily. Moreover, after the villa-laden Algarve, I wanted to show off an impressive part of Portuguese history. The evening meal in the restaurant was pricey, but I had one of the most memorable steaks I’ve ever had. Previously, we have had deplorable and inedible but nevertheless expensive meals in a couple of other pousadas in the north of Portugal, so both times Palmela’s offerings were most welcomed – part of the reason I chose Palmela on this occasion was the idea the food would be of high standard. One small niggle – we were three people given a choice in a nearly empty restaurant of only two tables right by the door (and I had made a restaurant reservation in advance). At first I thought the other tables would fill up, so fair enough. But when they remained empty, I thought the staff could have been a bit more generous in their seating to make diners feel more special when clearly the space allows. Still, a small matter in an otherwise lovely stay. We thought breakfast had more than sufficient choice and the patio setting was lovely. The staff were always helpful and polite, although we did not challenge them with any special requests. I agree with one commentator that there could be more information provided in each room about the history of the place and the two churches there. Comments have been made about the bathroms and they are in decoration a bit yesterday, but that too has charm and they were clean and functional. Overall full marks and I would have absolutely no hesitation in returning summer or winter!
We stayed for 6 nights and we thought it was the best Pousada we had stayed in , evening meal for us was much better than the breakfast, that was the only thing that let it down, we had to keep asking for food to be replenished and there was only ever one waiter who always seemed to disappear, which meant we often didn’t get a good variety of food. The location are superb, very good base to travel and see around Lisbon and the coast.We found the staff very helpful and friendly only one young girl didn’t speak english but she got someone for us to help on one occasion. The room was lovely but the bathroom was needing a bit of refurbishing. Overall I would recommend this pousada for anyone wanting to discover Lisbon and the surounding areas, not too far from the motorway with good access to north and south.
We arrived late at the Pousada in Palmela and we could not have received a better welcome.
Even at 10pm we were given a wonderful meal and in all the categories in which you are making your enquiries (bedroom, view from room, the public rooms, restaurant, location of the hotel, proximity to a town)we could not have received better service.
This is the second time we have stayed at Palmela and this time it was
even better than on our p…
Our reception upon arrival was cold. The young girl on duty spoke little English, and was not very helpful. I asked what her name was, and she told us something totally different than what her nametag read.??
Went downstairs later to inquire about daytrip for the next day, and was handed maps in Portuguese and told “good luck”.
The staff seemed busier and more interested in helping couples with their wedding plans then helping us as guests.
No introduction to the place, historical write-up was poor and made to seem insignificant. Views spectacular, but that was about the best of it. Food was not so great and extremely expensive for what it was. Overrated! We wandered around the castle with no real bearing on what we were seeing. Staff was not friendly or receptive, mostly snobby.
When we experienced trouble with the toilet, calling down to get help was ridiculous. The girl on the phone with reception didn’t understand English, so we eventually went downstairs, only to have to wait for an English speaking receptionist who made us wait as she made dinner reservations for another Portuguese couple. We couldn’t even leave a note. She made us wait for her to finish. “Toilet…room ### not working…” how hard is that to jot down???
For the money we spent for this experience, i expected a little more hospitality. Totally not worth the expense.
We wandered around and eventually landed at the municipal beach in Setubal. There happened to be a wine and food festival going on that we had seen signs for, but couldn’t find where it was located. Do you think the pousada staff might have been able to let us know about this?????
My first pousada stay was a disappointment. Not sure I’d do it again. I agree with Roslyn above, who wrote her comments over a year ago…” the views are fabulous, but they do not compensate for the pooor service….”
The 3rd of 4 Pousadas stayed at on this holiday. What a stunning location and Pousada. Clearly the biggest we stayed at and after Obidos in particular the size of corridors, public rooms and bedrooms was awesome. Beautifully furnished and looked after. Food again excellent and the staff very good. Only bar to have what appeared to be full time barman and he was a lovely character. We had Room 111, the only criticism being the noisy pigeons nesting outside in the old castle wall! Fabulous views. We would seriously consider staying here if visiting Lisbon again for any length of time. The DK book on Portugal mentions a swimming pool here. Apparently it has not existed for several years.
No negatives here, we really enjoyed it.
Thank You, I had a lovely time, arriving after 7 weeks in Africa – I
felt pampered. Views were great, as were meals, service, room etc. I
felt isolated without a car. Wifi wasn’t working which was a problem.
Quiet, clean, luxurious.
We recently spent our third visit at the Palmela Pousada and found everything excellent as usual.
Looking forward to our next visit in April.
We stayed for one night only in September 2009 and it was probably one of best 2 hotels on our trip through Portugal. Splendid accomodations with a spectacular view. The hotel personnel could not have been more pleasant and accomodating. A wonderful breakfast as well. The entire stay could not have been more charming, and we will certainly return here. The Portuguese are extremely friendly and welcoming, as this wonderful pousada shows.
We stayed in a corner suite of the Hotel Palmela recently, we stayed over a four day period. The suite was very spacious with loveley views in two directions. We found the hotel gave an air of space everywhere, the clousters were lovely. The food in the restaurant was excellent and the service first class but very quiet. One night we appeared to be the only diners. The only slight disappointment of our stay was at breakfast one morning when we were not allowed to sit on the sunny side because they were laying up for lunch, I would have thought this could have waited till after breakfast, but a small gripe in an otherwise lovely place to stay. Recommended.
This was our second visit to Palmela and we were given the same suite we had previously.
We cannot praise the staff at Reception and in the Bar highly enough.
We do not eat in the restaurant as we like to explore restaurants in the countryside. We always request our breakfast be served in our suite and this is always a smorgersbord of delights.
It is certainly one of the Pousadas we shall be returning to again and again.
The only negative comment is that we feel the bathroom needs some attention to it as it is very ‘tired’ and needs a makeover.
Having stayed at several Pousadas we were very disapponted with Palmela. The staff was disinterested and the service sloppy. The Pousada was nearly empty as it was mid week but they still put us in a room right beside the elevator, overlooking the parking lot and we awoke to find renovations going on directly outside of our room so there was constant banging. So it did not make for a quiet night. With some planning on part of the reservations we could have easily been put into a room away from the workmen. This is one Pousada that we will not return to for another visit. The views are fabulous but they do not compensate for the poor service.