My man and I find ourselves gazing up at the gleaming white château rising majestically before us. We notice the four stars on a plaque and the name, Palácio da Lousã Boutique Hotel. Thus emboldened, we carry on and enter a magnificent world of historical splendour, contemporary chic and fairy-tale charm where, once captured, you'll be hard pressed to tear yourself away again.
We realise we're under a spell on the first afternoon as we pause in the dappled shade of a tree for a quiet, romantic moment, leaning against a green fountain, looking out onto the immaculately tended gardens. The warm sunshine and serene timelessness wraps itself around us and I feel like a lady with her knight many moons ago, when, who knows, maybe a couple just like us stole kisses in this very spot. The bewitching atmosphere and breath taking surroundings comprised of verdant mountainous landscapes, hidden castles, and the ancient town of Lousã, which is a step into the past with its rich culture, festivals and delicious restaurants, are enticing enough. Yet add to this the magnificence of the hotel from its outward splendour to its delicate interiors and wonderful facilities, and the enchantment becomes inevitable.
Caught up in the romance of the place and the moment, we delay the day of departure as long as we can, and our spontaneity becomes one of the great highlights of our authentic Portuguese adventure! If you, like me, enjoy surrendering occasionally to the unexpected, then you have a wealth of glorious surprises awaiting you here should you spontaneously drop by. If you are not like that then there's only one thing for it. Before setting out, I advise you carefully plan this little, magical corner of Portugal into your itinerary and so no surprises, yet all the delights of the Palácio da Lousã Boutique Hotel **** will be yours to enjoy all the same.