View from terrace is good, but the grass gets in the way a bit. Getting a pool towel was a challenge - apparently I should have told them that I wanted the one in the room replaced after it was taken away (seriously? some people stay for a week and don't want it replaced??????).

This is a fantastic ex-palace. The reception and main rooms are exquisite. You can use any of the main rooms any time, although the chairs being in keeping with the period are not that comfortable LOL. Great ambience. Excellent pool (getting a pool towel on the other hand more of a challenge!). Basic gym. Outstanding breakfast. Easy parking. Excellent staff. We loved our stay here (we stayed in a superior view room on the 2nd floor, with a terrace looking down to Faro (and a lot of grass). Yes, the building is VERY OLD which means that in a few places the paint is peeling etc. There was also some refurbishment work done in the reception (old chapel ) while we were there. This did nothing to detract from my enjoyment but if you worry about that sort of thing, don't stay.

Stayed in April 2024

I would have liked rooms with a view. I booked two rooms and feel we should have had a view. Service from the bar while relaxing on the patio was slow, as was dinner service. They need to hire more staff.

I enjoyed the pool area and the rooms were spacious.

Stayed in April 2024

Everything!!!!! The setting, the building, the decoration, the breakfast.

Stayed in March 2024

Location, nice bar in the centre of the village breakfast gardens

Stayed in February 2024

Wonderful Palace close to Faro and the beaches - beautiful setting in the Algarve

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing

The breakfast was amazing. A great selection and all fresh produce. The accommodation was excellent and everywhere so spotless. The staff were exceptional and so helpful.

Stayed in March 2024

Very nice property that was both comfortable and relaxing. The room was large and clean with a very comfortable bed.

Stayed in March 2024

Superb location and ambiance.

Stayed in February 2024

Limited restaurants near by.

Lovely quiet hotel. Lovely buffet breakfast.

Stayed in January 2024

Lovely property, looked beautiful, great facilities, warm and friendly staff

Stayed in February 2024

The gym: Rust on the equipment. Functional but not nice to have rust all over your hands/arms, while using it. Also: Good with some air circulation (i.e. fan in the cieling), when you are on the treadmill Pancakes on the breakfast buffet should not be served cold.

Breakfast was really good. Amazing service by all staff, especially in the restaurant. Friendly, kind and with a passion for their job to make the guests feel seen and welcome.

Stayed in February 2024

We liked everything

We loved the renovation- the building is beautiful. The breakfast was delicious. The staff were friendly and helpful. The room was big and spacious. The view was lovely.

Stayed in February 2024

The cross between the historical and the contemporary is beautiful. The location is fantastic and the vibe of the place is great.

Stayed in February 2024

I wouldn't change a thing about the hotel or the experience. The village of Estoi doesn't have much in the way of cafes or shops though, so definitely come for the pousada

Reception staff were outstanding. Helpful and friendly. They went above and beyond the usual check-in procedure

Stayed in January 2024

Although there is a coffee machine in the room, it's in a cupboard so very hard to fill with water and switch on - we had to remove completely to use it. Just a minor point.

The palace rooms are stunning. All the staff bar one were exceptionally friendly.

Stayed in February 2024

Restaurant very elegant but the quality is not equivalent.

Wonderful location. Well beyond my expectations. Outdoor swimming pool in a dream scenario. Top breakfast service.

Stayed in January 2024

Nice location, very friendly staff beautiful palace and gardens

Stayed in January 2024

Hidden gem - wonderful views, historic building, new, spacious rooms and good facilities; very good food and excellent staff

Stayed in January 2024

Nothing

Modern and ample rooms, nice palace salons to hang out. Gardens and pool area are beautiful. Breakfast buffet is really nice. Food at the restaurant was delicious and plentiful.

Stayed in January 2024

The garden look a little uncared for and could be beautiful

The location

Stayed in December 2023

to plug in my lap top, I had to craw underneath the desk to find the plug socket. The best bedrooms are on the higher floors (better view) and I began to wonder if solo travellers were allocated lower floors rooms automatically. Another solo traveller must have researched the hotel better than I and when he was allocated a similar room to me, he asked to be moved to a room with a view (I checked in late and night). I paid the same for my room as any couple paid to share their room but I'm conscious that people might have a bias in favour of couples (people who are in a couple, might think giving a couple a room with a better view, is acceptable). I didn't think to raise this on check out but I booked my room in September. Many others booked in December. Surely the rooms with the better views would be allocated on a first come / first served basis? As a solo traveller, I'm very conscious that there is a strange sense of entitlement benefiting domesticated couples .

The rooms were AMAZING . LARGE , perhaps the largest bedroom I've ever had with giant bathrooms. Even a complementary shoe polishing kit. The breakfast was the best hotel breakfast I've had in my life - mimosas, fresh cheeses, freshly baked bread and pastry (in a tiny village) The swimming pool with the VIEW was out of this world and I had it all to myself all day on Christmas Day. there is a small heated indoor pool and sauna / Turkish bath. I generally don't fancy those facilities but they were terrific I was able to enjoy the Roman ruins in the near by and the small museum was a thrill. Art Works were along the large corridors. It was more than a hotel - it was a hotel with a connection to local history. Of course the original building and gardens were terrific and it was lovely to stay someplace so fancy. the staff couldn't have been more helpful. Everybody did their best and worked through Christmas without complaint I typically don't go back to the same place twice but if I would ever revisit a hotel, it would be this treasure. The place is actually nicer than the photos presented (many of the guests though the photos didn't do it justice)

Stayed in December 2023

No coffee maker in the room. Since we are early risers, and the breakfast room doesn't open until 8 am we found it disappointing not having coffee in our room. This property is located in a very tiny country town so there isn't an option to go to a cafe or coffee shop either.

Breakfast is spectacular! We have traveled all over the world and we would rank this breakfast as a 10! The sauna was a great perk and was most enjoyable near by our room.

Stayed in December 2023

Nothing, everything was absolutly wonderful

What a lovely place, everything so carefully arranged, wonderful room with very spacy and comfy bed and bathroom. We loved the pool, the surroundings and the excellent breakfast in the morning.

Stayed in December 2023

We wish the pool, steam/sauna rooms were open a little later, so we could have enjoyed after a day of exploring the area!

What a beautiful and unique hotel! We loved exploring the grounds and gardens. The hotel was pretty quiet when we were there (November) and felt like we had it to ourselves, which we loved. The breakfast really was exceptional and had us set for our day. Everything was clean and comfortable. The pool and steam/sauna rooms were such a lovely treat! The hotel staff were very kind and attentive. We appreciated the little details, such as having water and apple to take on our way out the door. There were options to dine within a short drive and plenty to see and do along the coast very close by.

Stayed in November 2023