Palace of Lousã. Located in the sunny village of Lousã, 30 km far from Coimbra, Palácio da Lousã Boutique Hotel, is so charming and magnificent that’s impossible not to stay in, if you have the chance.

Once a Palace, it was converted into a hotel in 2005. And i’m glad it was. It’s so charming! As you come in, there’s Licor Beirão and cherry tea on the lobby for welcoming the guests.

However, that’s when you come across the living room, that the magic happens. It’s amazingly decorated, and you actually realize you’re in a Palace. It kind of feels like time has stopped at the door, and you’re from royalty.

I absolutely loved that there was apples and walnuts, for one to eat. They’re from the hotel’s trees and so delicious that we ate a lot of them. One of my favorite things was to just lay there, with my cherry tea, reading a borrowed book from the room. Just being, nothing to worry about.

The hotel has an awesome pool, but due to this freaking winter cold, it was impossible to dive in. Anyway, the cold was the perfect excuse to a delicious dinner in front of the fireplace, in the hotel’s restaurant, “A Viscondessa”. My favorite part of the dinner was, of course, the dessert. Panacotta with pineapple. Absolutely delicious.

This restaurant has a curious history. During the French Invasion to Portugal, in 1811, the French General, Ney, was having dinner at A Viscondessa, when he was informed French had loosened the battle near the Palace, in Foz de Arouce. So, he ran away, and when the English General Wellesley arrived to the Palace, he finished his rival’s dinner.

As some of you might know i love History, so it was nice to learn about this incident.

Nowadays the Palace is the perfect place to turn off from daily life and find ourselves some peace. You see, to rediscover ourselves, as one can totally relax there in a way we all need from time to time.

If you happen to be in Portugal or if you’re visiting the country in the near future, i highly suggest you to discover this Hotel. You’ll love it.

P.S. I have to thank to Paulo de Carvalho, Director of the hotel, whom has been so kind and nice to us, making us feel at home.