Experience Grandeur at the Palácio de Estoi (Estoi Palace)
One of the newest attractions in the Algarve is the Estoi Palace (Palácio de Estoi). Once a grand home, the Estoi Palace is now the newest gem in the Pousadas of Portugal group of historic hotels.
The Palácio de Estoi has been transformed into a Pousada of Portugal historic hotel
The Viscount of Estoi, José Francisco da Silva, commissioned construction on the palace in the late 19th century. After 20 years of works, in May 1909, completion of the palace was celebrated with a lavish party in the gardens.
The grand Estoi Palace is a fine example of rococo styling. It is partially covered in tiles with hand-painted floral motif. Interior space boasts a chapel, hall, reception and dining rooms, and two tea pavilions. Decorating the exterior is a small temple with a waterfall and statue of the Three Graces on a shell at the entrance to the palace. Statues of Venus and Diana sit in niches.
A salon featuring roccoco decor.
The lavish Versailles-style gardens stretch out on different levels, with stairways, lakes and statues. A decorative tiled flight of stairs leads down to the lower gardens, where a grotto covered in mosaics from nearby Milreu is featured.
After the Viscount’s death, the palace remained in the family until 1987 when it was acquired by the local municipality. Permission was granted to turn the estate into a historic hotel.
In May 2009, after a €15 million refurbishment, the Estoi Palace was reopened as a showplace hotel. The Palace’s new design comprises a renovated main building, with exuberant salons, frescoes, tea pavilions, revitalized gardens, and former stables and cow sheds now converted into spaces for holding all sorts of events. A new modern wing was built to receive the rooms, with surprisingly complimentary furniture in contemporary style, and with windows that open onto a tranquil countryside or pool view.
The addition of a contemporary pool deck enhances the luxury of the historic venue.
A gourmet restaurant now resides in the former chapel. Algarvian cuisine, consisting of both local grown produce from the land and locally caught fish and shell fish from the sea, provides a fine final touch to this full Portuguese experience.
To stay at Palacio de Estoi, or any of the historic Pousadas of Portugal, click here: http://www.pousadas.pt/historicalhotels/EN/pousadas/Portugal/Algarve/PalaciodeEstoi/home/PalaciodeEstoiHOME.htm
Estoi Palace
Rua de Sao Jose
8005 Estoi
Portugal
+351 289 990 150
Pousadas of Portugal are a member of Atlantic Estates Blue Box card program.
Cool website. Great job.
I have visited here and it is beautifully restored to its original granduer with a nice touch of the contemporary been added too. Great for a gourmet lunch out on the terrace overlooking the stunning gardens. Estoi village that surrounds it worth a wandering around, it has a very traditional and laid back feel. I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon there. Highly recommended.