Casa das Penhas Douradas

Breathtaking Views from a Design Hotel

This luxury boutique hotel in Portugal was one of the very first mountain lodges in the country. Originally built at the turn of the century, the owners focused on keeping the history of the building and its context within the landscape, restoring and expanding the rustic lodge with a sleek Scandinavian inspired make-over.  In a departure from the traditional mountain chalets of the Serra da Estrella, the spaces are modern and sleek with clean lines, gleaming lacquered finishes, with walls of glass overlooking breathtaking mountain and Glacier Valley views.

One of two boutique hotels in the area created by the Burel Factory, the company has revived the production of the burel wool used by local shepherds for centuries and is one of the main themes of the hotel, with hand crafted textiles and art that tell the story of the region's long history with wool.

The property is also a showcase of contemporary design with vintage 1960s pieces from prominent Nordic and Portuguese designers including Wegner, Mogenson, Bruno Mathsson, Pedro Silva Dias, and Pedro Brígida

Rooted in tradition and inspired by the region's history and great natural beauty, this hotel is a love letter to Portuguese culture.

Sitting high above Zêzere Glacier Valley in the Serra da Estrella, this luxury boutique hotel in Portugal is a celebration of Portuguese design, culture and gastronomy of the region. 

Built in the early 20th century as a holiday home,  the original inn was one of the very first in country and still represents the Portuguese take on rural hospitality. Restored and expanded into a modern compound, the original structure has been seamlessly integrated with walls of glass in every room that invite the spectacular views in.

There are 18 rooms total divided between two floors. Each room is designed with understated sophistication and contemporary Portuguese design pieces,  softened with organic materials and handcrafted burel wool as decorative elements. The rooms on the lower level are smaller, but have private terraces with amazing views. The larger rooms on the upper floor are well designed for families to share. 

The restaurant serves seasonal classics with local ingredients of the Beiras region, and features panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the spectacular views. There's a large communal terrace and a striking indoor pool, both with magnificent views, and a full service spa with a sauna and turkish bath for a little pampering.

Additional features

Fully staffed, touring and guided nature walks, breakfast and snacks buffet included. Personal bath products, dressing gown and slippers, telephone, station for iPod, cable internet, LCD, DVD-player, and complimentary bottled water and fruit basket in each room. 

Wifi throughout, spa and massage services. Lunch per person €28 (without drink),dinner per person €38 (without drink), meals for children (up to 6 years) €10, meals for children (7 to 12 years old) €15.

Bicycles, sleds and snowshoes available for guest use, EV chargers, private parking.

Around

The mountain town of Manteigas is nestled within the beautiful Serra da Estrella range next to the magnificent Zêzere Glacier Valley. There are excellent hiking trails through the range crossed by rivers and the steep Ribeira de Leadres gorge where you won't want to miss the spectacular Poço do Inferno waterfalls.

The rural Guarda and Beira regions of central Portugal are located between the Douro and the Tejo rivers, and stretch from the Atlantic Coast all the way to the Spanish border. Dotted with well preserved ancient villages and the highest mountain ranges in the country, it’s a quieter, less-traveled area to explore and is famous for the Dao vineyards.

The historic city of Viseu is just over an hour drive where you’ll find everything from Roman ruins, to medieval, Gothic and Baroque remnants of civilization. Don’t miss the centuries old Sao Mateus Fair in August with artists, crafts, music and food that lasts for up to a month.  

The highest town in Portugal with fortifications dating back to the 12th century, the city of Guarda is an hour north and the medieval cities of Coimbra and Conímbriga with the most famous Roman ruins in Portugal, are a two-hour drive.

Location

Manteigas, Portugal. Nearest airport: Porto - Francicso Sa Carneiro (200km)

Best time to visit

Year round