Lodge Casa Palmela is a gem of a lodge with so many fantastic attributes that it is arduous to know the place to start out. A member of Small Luxurious Resorts, this beautiful retreat might be discovered within the coronary heart of the beautiful Arrábida Pure Park, south of Lisbon and 10 minutes from Setúbal, a captivating coastal city with beautiful views of the Sado River Estuary. Actually, it’s the solely five-star lodge in Portugal positioned inside a pure park.
Initially a Seventeenth-century farmhouse, the property has remained in the identical household since 1826 and debuted as a luxurious lodge in 2016. To today, it retains a standard household ambiance, embellished with interval furnishings, images, work and sculptures, in addition to intricate tiles which can be a logo of Portugal’s inventive heritage and cultural id.
The lodge grounds embody 170 hectares of vineyards and rolling wooded hills which can be protected land inside the Arrábida Pure Park. These embody cork oak bushes that are native to the Mediterranean and are an necessary a part of the native ecosystem. For hundreds of years, Portuguese ‘tiradores’ harvested the bark of those bushes sustainably, on a cycle of roughly 10 years, really selling the longevity of the bushes which may reside for over 200 years.
Welcome
A delayed flight and a damaged down bus on the Lisbon airport weren’t the proper begin to our journey to Portugal. Luckily, Lodge Casa Palmela saved the day by organizing our 40 minute airport switch which, against this, went easily and flawlessly. The 24 hour reception was an added bonus, making certain our 1.30am arrival was no drawback and we may test in rapidly and nonetheless be properly rested for the subsequent day.
At the moment of the morning, we didn’t totally admire the 2 sculptures which can be positioned on the entrance to the reception, a powerful work by a member of the household of Maria Luísa de Sousa Holstein Beck, which dates from the late nineteenth century.
Room
We stayed in room 21 of the lodge on the nook of this historic constructing, with views north down the tree-lined lodge entrance and west over the vineyards – good for watching the sundown. The room combines its interval allure with fashionable consolation, and incorporates an exquisite mixture of conventional decor and fashionable conveniences.
Two twin beds, adorned with a floral headboard, guarantee a peaceable night time’s sleep, whereas a central desk and chairs present company with a spot to dine or work in consolation. Fashionable built-in wardrobes harmoniously complement the vintage chest of drawers, offering ample cupboard space.
Friends can benefit from the room all yr spherical with air-con for the hotter months and a Pur Line fire providing heat and coziness for these cooler evenings out of season. In the meantime, the ornamental carriage decoration on the mantel serves as a nod to the intricate craftsmanship and inventive heritage of Portuguese carriage making.
There’s additionally free Wi-Fi all through the lodge, a room service menu, a DeLonghi espresso machine, plush robes and slippers, a protected and complimentary bottled water (though the faucet water is protected to drink), whereas laundry and ironing providers additionally assist guarantee hassle-free keep.
Rest room
The non-public rest room combines fashionable facilities with traditional magnificence. Adorned with high-quality fittings and a spacious format, there’s a giant number of smooth towels, a big mirror and a separate shaving mirror. The bathe cabin, closed with a glass panel, provides rain and hand showers.
Premium Rituals toiletries imply the recent scents of eucalyptus and rosemary permeate the bathe with shampoo and bathe gel supplied, whereas the hand basin is stocked with natural mandarin and mint cleaning soap and hand lotion.
Friends can even discover a Lodge Casa Palmela branded field containing a wide range of different facilities, together with a stitching package, conditioner, bathe cap, shoe polish and toiletries.
Objects
Friends can loosen up within the lodge’s bar and lounge, that are open from 11 am to midnight.
For us, the lodge’s restaurant Zimbral – which depends on Portuguese, African and Asian delicacies – was an actual spotlight, with a relaxed and casual ambiance complemented by distinctive delicacies.
Salmon and partridge tartare, foie gras and apple are glorious appetizers, the primary certain with guacamole and topped with delicate crostini.
The principle programs have been equally scrumptious and included probably the most tender octopus, served with greens, inexperienced peppers and candy potatoes.
The monkfish rice can be to die for.
Different dishes that we will wholeheartedly advocate are wild sea bass, roe and coriander, and lamb with curry, and do not miss the candy chocolate mousse with river mint for dessert!
A restaurant to not be missed that mixes beautiful flavors with a simultaneous dedication to sustainability, as produce comes from the lodge’s personal vegetable backyard and native suppliers.
Along with culinary delights, the lodge additionally has a captivating chapel on the primary ground – a spot of prayer that’s open 24 hours a day.
Then there are two out of doors swimming pools and a spa.
The spa adheres to the mantra “Inhale happiness, exhale stress”, selling gradual therapeutic and the prospect to easily be in tune with nature, surrounded by the Sierra d’Arrábida. Along with a spread of therapeutic massage remedies, you may as well take pleasure in different actions resembling pilates, yoga and stretching.
As a part of the As soon as Upon a Home group, the lodge additionally enjoys the posh of with the ability to arrange actions by means of its personal vacation spot administration firm, As soon as Upon a Day (extra on that in one other publish). For instance, by means of the neighboring property of Quinta do Esteval, company can experience horses by means of Arrábida with skilled bilingual guides from Cavalos Na Serra, having fun with the extraordinary views in addition to the distinctive scents of the forests.
location
Having fun with the picturesque environment of the Arrábida Pure Park, Lodge Casa Palmela enjoys a privileged location amidst rolling hills and luxurious vineyards, the place grape varieties embody Syrah, Castelão and Touriga Nacional, thought-about by many to be the perfect pink grape selection in Portugal.
Along with the vineyards, the property covers a big forest space that’s straightforward to discover on marked trails.
Right here there are stunning views of the Arrábida Mountains and an actual sense of peace and solitude, making it the proper place to loosen up and rejuvenate, and a perfect setting for out of doors actions resembling fowl watching, horse using and biking.
Along with its pure splendor, Lodge Casa Palmela is only some minutes’ drive from the historic city of Setúbal, recognized for its wealthy cultural heritage. Friends can discover the town on foot and go to the historic Sixteenth-century fortress, Castelo de São Filipe. From Setúbal you may as well take a ferry to Troy, well-known for its pristine seashores and archaeological websites courting again to the traditional Roman period.
Different good issues
A keep on the Casa Palmela lodge will not be with out a variety of considerate extras. Friends are invited to have an extra drink on the bar upon arrival, whereas recent juice, a heat welcome and a basket of native agricultural merchandise greeted us in our room. Night turndown service consists of candy treats.
The lodge’s dedication to sustainability can be seen in a variety of methods, resembling using renewable power to warmth water and the set up of charging factors for electrical automobiles, reflecting its concern for its location inside the Arrábida Pure Park.
Prices
Rooms at Lodge Arrábida begin from 182 euros per night time in off-season and from 400 euros per night time in excessive season, together with breakfast.
The lodge’s solely Grasp Suite, which features a balcony, backyard and look at of the Serra da Arrábida, is on the market from €455 in off-season, if booked by means of their web site utilizing their Early Reserving provide, and in peak season from €609 on the identical foundation.
The most effective half
Whereas there are such a lot of constructive issues to share with the lodge, what stood out for me was the overriding feeling of being made to really feel really welcome, in a approach that was seemingly so easy and unobtrusive. However make no mistake, behind the scenes, each effort is made to make sure that your keep is unforgettable, with no element spared.
Remaining verdict
I’ve the utmost respect for everybody concerned within the administration of the Casa Palmela lodge. Creating an environment that’s so inviting and enjoyable, and a lodge expertise that’s so seamless, isn’t any small feat. And the truth that every part seems so easy is nothing wanting outstanding.
It is a nice instance of what 5 star hospitality is all about. If our go to is something to go by, anybody fortunate sufficient to remain right here will certainly be left with fond reminiscences and an enduring impression of unmatched excellence.
Dislcosure: Our keep was sponsored by Lodge Casa Palmela.
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