Casa das Penhas Douradas

  • Location: Mountains
    Serra da Estrela National Park: In walking distance
    Ski resort in winter: 29km (35 mins by car)
    Burel Factory: 13km (10 mins by car)
  • Porto Airport (OPO): 200km (2h 30 mins by car)
    Lisbon Airport (LIS): 315km (3h by car)
    Airport transfer available on request
    Car recommended
    Free parking
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Remaining characters: 382

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Breakfast; Afternoon snack in the panoramic restaurant, with full view to the mountain; Welcome Drink; Free access to the indoor pool and to the small outdoor pool with hydromassage, both heated with spring water, to the sauna and Turkish bath; Free parking and electric car charger; Guided tour to Burel Factory, a wool factory from the 19th century in full operation, property of the hotel Guided walking tour (whenever weather conditions allow)

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An introduction to Casa das Penhas Douradas

How would you describe Casa das Penhas Douradas in a nutshell?

It’s a home — a comfortable and familiar place to be, with a very cosy hotelier service.

What was the inspiration or story behind Casa das Penhas Douradas?

I worked for many years as a lawyer in Lisbon and at the age of 40, I decided that when I turned 50, I would do something different. I really love the mountains and particularly Serra da Estrela Natural Park. At first, it was just a place I would go with friends. But I soon realised that it was possible to make a life change and create a small hotel.

Casa das Penhas Douradas forms part of what was the first Portuguese mountain resort, which was built as a place for treating lung diseases and tuberculosis. It’s a tiny and very beautiful place with chalets from the 19th century and a mixture of architectural styles. I discovered this old chalet that was almost in ruins and rebuilt it as Casa das Penhas Douradas.

Please describe the atmosphere of Casa das Penhas Douradas.

It’s cosy and comfortable, with a beautiful fireplace and the sense of being at home. It’s ideal for families and hikers who want to explore Serra da Estrela Natural Park.

Casa das Penhas Douradas
Pool
Pool
Vichy Spa
Interior
Interior
Restaurant
Restaurant
Double Room with Balcony
Double Room Panoramic View
Superior Double Room
Junior Suite
Suite
Casa das Penhas Douradas
Casa das Penhas Douradas
Winter
Casa das Penhas Douradas
Surrounding mountains
Nearby lagoon

Casa das Penhas Douradas rooms & rates

The rooms are cosy in design, full of beautiful vintage pieces. They are covered with birch wood and have a wonderful view over the mountains.

  • Superior Double Room for 2-4 people / 31 m²
    145 / night
    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Shower room (ensuite)
    • 2 Extra beds (on req.)
    • 2 Baby cots (on req.)
    • Air conditioning

    Very spacious room with two windows over the vastness of the mountains of Serra da Estrela. It includes a sleeping area and an uneven seating area, ensuring the feeling of a mountain house. It has a work area with a small desk. Warm, intimate and romantic atmosphere, ideal for families.

    Amenities:
    - Mountain view
    - Free Wifi
    - Air conditioning
    - Central Heating
    - Smart TV with more than 100 channels
    - Telephone
    - Pillows and feather duvet
    - Private bathroom with shower
    - Hairdryer
    - Bathrobe and slippers
    - Amenities Le Labo Santal 33
    - Non-smoker room
    - Cots available for children up to 3 years old, subject to hotel availability
    - Extra bed upon availability and additional cost

  • Double Room with Mountain View for 2-3 people / 22 m²
    145 / night
    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Shower room (ensuite)
    • 1 Extra bed (on req.)
    • 1 Baby cot (on req.)
    • Air conditioning

    Large room with a large window and panoramic views of the Serra da Estrela integrated into a building covered with cork. Walls and ceiling lined with birch creating an intimate atmosphere. It has a desk and a sofa with foot rest.

    Amenities:
    - Mountain view
    - Free Wifi
    - Air conditioning
    - Central Heating
    - Smart TV with more than 100 channels
    - Telephone
    - Pillows and feather duvet
    - Private bathroom with shower
    - Hairdryer
    - Bathrobe and slippers
    - Amenities Le Labo Santal 33
    - Non-smoker room
    - Cots available for children up to 3 years old, subject to hotel availability
    - Connecting room

  • Double w. Balc.+ Mountain View for 2 people / 17 m²
    135 / night
    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Shower room (ensuite)
    • 1 Baby cot (on req.)
    • Balcony
    • Air conditioning

    Room with a large window and panoramic view of the Serra da Estrela and balcony with seating chairs and foot rest.

    Amenities:
    - Mountain view
    - Free Wifi
    - Air conditioning
    - Central Heating
    - Smart TV with more than 100 channels
    - Telephone
    - Pillows and feather duvet
    - Private bathroom with shower cabin
    - Hairdryer
    - Bathrobe and slippers
    - Amenities Le Labo Santal 33
    - Non-smoker room
    - Cots available for children up to 3 years old, subject to hotel availability

  • Junior Suite for 2 people / 35 m²
    185 / night
    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Shower room (ensuite)
    • 1 Living room
    • 1 Baby cot (on req.)
    • Air conditioning

    Suite with a living area with a small library, sofa and smart TV. There is also a minibar and desk. It overlooks the mountains of Serra da Estrela. The bathroom has a shower cabin. Comfortable and intimate, making it perfect for couples.

    Amenities:
    - Mountain view
    - Free Wifi
    - Air conditioning
    - Central Heating
    - Minibar
    - Smart TV
    - Telephone
    - Living area with sofa
    - Pillows and feather duvet
    - Private bathroom with cabin shower
    - Hairdryer
    - Bathrobe and slippers
    - Amenities Le Labo Santal 33
    - Non-smoker room
    - Cots available for children up to 3 years old, subject to hotel availability

  • Suite for 2-4 people / 72 m²
    235 / night
    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Shower room (ensuite)
    • 1 Living room
    • 2 Sofabeds (on req.)
    • 2 Baby cots (on req.)
    • Air conditioning

    Very large room with large windows and panoramic views of the Serra da Estrela. Coated birch on walls and ceiling creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. It includes a sleeping area, a reading area and library, a work area and a seating area with sofas. The bathroom has an exclusive division for the bath.

    Amenities:
    - Mountain view
    - Free wifi
    - Air conditioning
    - Central Heating
    - Smart TV with more than 100 channels
    - Telephone
    - Living area with sofa
    - Pillows and feather duvet
    - Private bathroom with shower
    - Hairdryer
    - Bathrobe and slippers
    - Amenities Le Labo Santal 33
    - Non-smoker room
    - Cots available for children up to 3 years old, subject to hotel availability

Included in the rates
Rates include a delicious breakfast, afternoon snacks in the panoramic restaurant, a welcome drink, free access to the indoor pool and the wellness area, free parking, guided tour to Burel Factory (a wool factory from the19th century in full operation).
Optional extras
Available on request: massages and treatment, transfers
Children & Extra beds
Children of all ages are welcome. Extra beds for children from 4 to 15 are available in most room (EUR 60 per night). A baby cot (for up to 3 year olds) is also available on request in most rooms free of charge.
Minimum stay
1 nights
Check in time
after 16:00
Check out time
before 12:00

Facilities & services

  • Bar
  • Air conditioning
  • Children welcome
  • Terrace
  • Swimming pool
  • Maid service
  • WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Fireplace
  • Babysitting on request
  • Garden
  • Sauna
  • TV
  • Central heating
  • Room service
  • Movies/DVDs
  • Laundry service
  • Bicycles
  • Hair dryer
  • Spa

We have a restaurant that serves gourmet cuisine, with a set menu for lunch and dinner each day. Breakfast and afternoon tea are also included in the rate. Our concierge has information about the region, its museums and restaurants, and can help to organise jeep tours of Serra da Estrela Natural Park and its mountain villages.

We offer free guided walks each day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) or guests can opt for a private hike with a guide. In the winter months, we have snowshoes available, as well as bicycles for exploring the surrounding trails in the summer. We also have an on-site spa offering a variety of massages and, unlike at some hotels, our masseuses are part of the team.

Things to do in Central Portugal & Manteigas

  • Massages / Treatments
  • Skiing
  • Hiking
  • Cycling

Aside from exploring the 20 kilometres of hiking trails around the hotel, there are several very nice spots for picnics and beautiful lagoons where you can go swimming or kayaking. The park encompasses the source of the Mondego and Zêzere rivers, so it’s nice to stop along the banks to swim and picnic while out walking.

I’d highly recommend doing a tour of the mountain villages as they are very beautiful and have lots of cultural attractions. Many are thousands of years old — older than the Portuguese nationality itself! You can also visit the Burel Factory in nearby Manteigas, which offers free guided tours with information about the Portuguese wool industry. It’s like a living museum, with machines from the 19th century and an on-site shop.

The location of Casa das Penhas Douradas

Casa das Penhas Douradas is around 300 kilometres or three hours’ drive from Lisbon and 200 kilometres (or two hours) from Porto. The journey is mostly on highways, so it’s very easy to reach. We’re positioned around 1,300 metres above sea level, with several small chalets and a beautiful chapel nearby.

It’s partly the authenticity of the people and communities — globalisation hasn’t reached here yet! The area is very well-preserved and the old cultural traditions of the mountains still exist. You can see the shepherds coming down from the mountains and observe how people lived two or three hundred years ago. They are very friendly and due to the difficulties of the climate, they really support one another. Solidarity is in the DNA of Portugal’s mountain people and they receive outsiders very well. I think this is part of the country’s characteristic in general. We were once an empire of travellers but not conquerors — a “friendly colonialism” you could say.

But it’s also the beautiful location, the amazing views and our staff. At Casa das Penhas Douradas, we invest a lot in people and care about service. So we train people so that they can emotionally relate to guests and offer a very friendly, relaxing experience.

When is the best time to visit Central Portugal?

There’s no place in Portugal where the four seasons are as well marked as in Serra da Estrela Natural Park. Winter is the high season as it’s the only place in the country with snow. In summer, the air is fresher due to the altitude and we don’t get the really hot days that Lisbon does. It’s usually in the mid-20s and you can go swimming in the lagoons and rivers.

Autumn is very beautiful because of the golden leaves and is ideal for walking and exploring. For me, I think the best time is spring when the mountain flowers bloom in yellows and purples. The long days are perfect for exploring and you get a bit of everything. If you go up in altitude, you can find snow. If you go down to the villages, it feels like summer.