Pousada Palacio Estoi
Looking back over its long history, the Algarve region wasn’t really bequeathed any luxurious palaces. There are castles in abundance – Portugal’s royal dynasties, the House of Avis and the House of Braganza, often lived in fear of invasion from North Africa or from the neighbouring fiefdoms to the east which eventually became Spain.
The Pousada Palacio Estoi is a rare exception. The rather grandly named Francisco José Moreira de Brito de Carvalhal e Vasconcelos, a Field Marshal and Knight of the Order of Christ, inherited the estate from his father in 1782, and set about constructing this richly decorated and architecturally eclectic palace on the outskirts of Estoi.
The ornate décor of the shared salons and palatial halls combines neoclassical, neo-rococo and art nouveau, with antique Portuguese furniture complementing the intricate frescos which adorn the ceilings. The sixty-three guest rooms are a 21st century addition and sit at the opposite end of the architectural scale: classic rooms, superior rooms and suites whose décor is minimalist and light, with modern comfortable furniture.
The Visconde restaurant helps to connect these two opposing faces of the pousada – it’s décor and its menu bring together traditional and contemporary Algarve dishes cuisine, prepared in the old palace kitchens. The ostentatious touches return when you head out into the French-style walled garden, with its decorative ponds, fountains, statues and follies – with the addition of an outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace to bring the Pousada Palacio Estoi back up to date once again.
