At 1500m altitude, Casa das Penhas Douradas was the first opening of the “Burel Mountains Hotel” group. After staying at Casa de São Lourenço, we were invited to visit the project that started it all, and we are so glad we had the chance to do it. To tell the story of Casa das Penhas Douradas, we need to go back to 1871, and to an old hotel-sanatorium in the middle of Serra da Estrela’s mountains. More than 100 years passed by, until a couple of Portuguese entrepreneurs decided to transform it into a four-star hotel that reminds us of a Nordic mountain cabin in some Swiss snow town.
After a worthwhile drive to reach the peak of the road, every guest that enters Casa das Penhas Douradas is absorbed by the ski and mountain vibes. The hotel is packed with vintage pieces of furniture that definitely have a story to tell – namely the one from the Expedition of 1881 carried out by Sousa Martins. It almost feels like a intimist museum!
We stayed one night in a huge suite (probably bigger than our first apartment!) with large windows, panoramic views and an incredible bathroom! We loved that it even had a chaise longue perfectly located under a glass ceiling for us to stare at the stars!
This hidden gem in the middle of nowhere is located only 4km from the other hotel of the group, and although very different, we could definitely find some resemblances. We would recommend Casa das Penhas Douradas if you’re traveling with kids or are looking for a more relaxed vibe, while Casa de Sao Lourenço is epic for a romantic escape or if you’re in the mood for pampering yourself. Nevertheless, most activities are common to both – you can expect great food, spa treatments, and daily guided walks in the mountains, no matter the hotel you choose.
We need to leave a small note to the delightful staff and service. No request was ever too difficult to be fulfilled, and we were always greeted with big smiles and friendly conversations. A big thank you to everyone who made our days in Serra da Estrela so special!
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