Comments on: Pousada in Palmela http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/comments Blog about the accommodation in the luxury Portuguese Pousada Hotels Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:43:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Chris Downward http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/comments/pousada-palmela/comment-page-1#comment-15657 Chris Downward Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:05:43 +0000 http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/blog/?page_id=175#comment-15657 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. 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.

]]> By: Tom & Pam http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/comments/pousada-palmela/comment-page-1#comment-14729 Tom & Pam Sun, 09 Oct 2011 02:27:07 +0000 http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/blog/?page_id=175#comment-14729 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. 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.

]]> By: Ram & Neena Ramanathan http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/comments/pousada-palmela/comment-page-1#comment-14614 Ram & Neena Ramanathan Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:55:18 +0000 http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/blog/?page_id=175#comment-14614 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. 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.

]]> By: Pam Mummery http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/comments/pousada-palmela/comment-page-1#comment-14612 Pam Mummery Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:39:11 +0000 http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/blog/?page_id=175#comment-14612 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! 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!

]]> By: Liz and Barry Taub http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/comments/pousada-palmela/comment-page-1#comment-12048 Liz and Barry Taub Sat, 11 Jun 2011 15:29:47 +0000 http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/blog/?page_id=175#comment-12048 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. 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.

]]> By: Joe & Teresa Webber http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/comments/pousada-palmela/comment-page-1#comment-12039 Joe & Teresa Webber Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:03:26 +0000 http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/blog/?page_id=175#comment-12039 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! 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!

]]> By: Julie Hodgson http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/comments/pousada-palmela/comment-page-1#comment-12018 Julie Hodgson Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:36:08 +0000 http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/blog/?page_id=175#comment-12018 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 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.

]]> By: Rosalyne Leddy http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/comments/pousada-palmela/comment-page-1#comment-9366 Rosalyne Leddy Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:21:06 +0000 http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/blog/?page_id=175#comment-9366 Our stay was wonderful, a beautiful place with wonderful staff, and close to Lisbon. Our stay was wonderful, a beautiful place with wonderful staff, and close to
Lisbon.

]]> By: Dudley Hill http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/comments/pousada-palmela/comment-page-1#comment-7101 Dudley Hill Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:38:55 +0000 http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/blog/?page_id=175#comment-7101 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 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

]]> By: R.O. http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/comments/pousada-palmela/comment-page-1#comment-6035 R.O. Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:08:37 +0000 http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/blog/?page_id=175#comment-6035 Palmela was very comfortable with excellent service and good food. Palmela was very comfortable with excellent service and good food.

]]>