HSDE2, Belmonte, Portugal
Set in a medieval monastery Esperanca, this charming hotel features a swimming pool, extensive grounds and a restaurant serving traditional dishes from the Castelo Branco district. Belmonte itself has a rich history with a nice castle and Jewish quarter to visit and, located to the east of the Serra de Estrela, is ideally placed to delve into the mountain range or visit the fortress towns near the border with Spain many of which have a strong Jewish heritage. All rooms have a large balcony overlooking the Estrela Mountains Nature Reserve and there's a nice sun deck beside the pool from which to soak in the views. The rooms are spacious and feature antique furniture, wrought-iron bed frames, and are decorated with stonework and soft, pastel colours. The elegant restaurant offers local dishes with a Nouvelle cuisine touch, and a seasonal mushroom menu. The chapel has been converted into a lounge and bar, yet keeping many original features. Guests can enjoy horse riding, fishing and trekking in the local area or loose themselves in the hotel's own grounds.
24 rooms including 1 suite and 1 deluxe.
Rooms and suites offer balconies or terraces with lovely views. Some have canopy beds, murals, sofa beds and / or sitting areas.
Perfect base for the Serra de Estrela and Fortress Towns Outdoor pool and sun-deck Free parking on-site Outdoor pool and sun-deck Bar set in chapel Walking trails in the hotel's enormous grounds Rooms have balconies with fantastic views
The elegant gastronomic restaurant offers local dishes with a Nouvelle cuisine touch, and a seasonal mushroom menu.The chapel has been converted into a lounge and bar serving drinks and snacks.Buffet breakfast is served in the restaurant and includes locally sourced or homemade productsRoom service is available.
At the foot of the Serra da Estrela, Belmonte is perhaps the most interesting of the 'Historical Villages' - fortress villages strung out along the Spanish border in the centre and north of Portugal. There’s a large, well preserved castle with outstanding views and a well preserved old town but what makes Belmonte stand out is its strong Jewish legacy. The whole area served as a refuge for Jews at the time of the Inquisition starting in the late 15th century and most of the Historical villages have a Jewish Quarter. What’s different in Belmonte is that even after the Inquisition reached this part of Portugal the local community carried on in secret – right up to the 1980’s! There’s a fascinating Jewish museum with artefacts from the local culture and a synagogue which can be visited. Belmonte is also a great access point to explore the high mountains of the Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s highest range with glacial valleys and highlands strewn with immense granite boulders. Dip into the glacial Vale do Zêzere or take in the stunning views from the Penhas Douradas peaks and there are a series of well-marked and documented ‘green trails’ or ‘Trilhos Verdes’ which make this the ideal base for visitors to get the most out of the area.
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