Casas da Lapa

Press Reviews

The Observer, August 2010
"Constructed from old shepherds' cottages, this hillside hotel is perched above the small village of Lapa dos Dinheiros in Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in Portugal (almost 2,000m). It has eight bedrooms, each decorated with contemporary furnishings, including cube armchairs, cylindrical lamps and contemporary paintings. Set off on a ramble through the mountains or go cycling, then return to the casas for a swim in the pool, sunbathe on the rooftop solarium or steam in the sauna and Turkish bath."

Venue Magazine, April 2010
"This stylishly renovated country retreat, constructed from old shepherds' cottages offers warm hospitality, great food and, above all, stunning hiking amid Portugal's highest mountains. Inside you'll find beautiful, light bedrooms with jacuzzi tubs and walls of rough stone and smooth whitewash. The hotel also runs four- and six-day guided walking programmes organised in conjunction with sister hotel Casa das Penhas Douradas."

The Times, April 2009
"One of Europe’s great little secrets - a stylishly renovated country hotel amidst Portugal's highest mountains, offering warm hospitality, great food and stunning hiking. Surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Serra de Estrela National Park, the hotel is constructed from old shepherd's cottages overlooking a swimming pool and courtyard. Inside you'll find light bedrooms with jacuzzi tubs, walls of rough stone and smooth whitewash, neutral colours enlivened by dusky reds and olives. And after a hard day the sauna and steam bath will leave you in the pink."

The Guardian, June 2008
Few tourists explore the limestone shards of the Serra de Estrela's 2,000m peaks, the country's highest mountains. The slightly terrifying drive here leads to a craggy paradise of mossy waterfalls, granite caves and river estuaries fit for summer swimming, where some old shepherds' cottages have been transformed into Casas da Lapa, a small but stylish hotel with neutral, rough stone rooms with accents of olive and red."

Guest Reviews

Reviews are only from people who have stayed there and booked through i-escape.

• “Casas da Lapa met and exceeded our expectations. We had the most wonderful 4 day break in early October 2011 and were blessed with beautiful weather which matched the hotel and service we received. We could not fault anything and will be booking to go back and explore more of the area. We had a drink in a local bar and were made to feel extremely welcome by the locals. Excellent! We stayed in Room 5 which was perfect.”
  Diane, United Kingdom (04.10.11)

• “Casas da Lapa was great. Room, food, service fabulous...address did not show on GPS but found anyway. Really lovely - thanks so much.”
  Phyllis, United States (26.08.11)

• “Very nice welcome! Perfect place to relax! Amazing view!”
  Christina, Germany (04.08.11)

• “A beautiful, wonderful, and wonderfully affordable place to run away up into the hills... we had a super relaxing couple of days and loved the chic rooms and elegant pool all set against the rather more rugged and untamed surrounds of the Serra de Estrella...”
  Eugenie, United Kingdom (03.09.10)

• “Absolutely brilliant! The most spectacular location, fantastically friendly and helpful staff (great tips for local restaurants), delicious breakfasts and very comfortable rooms. It's a really relaxing place to stay, very tranquil with lots of good walks and beautiful villages to visit nearby. Also, check out the amazing local fluvial beach where you can swim in the crystal clear water and there's a great bar run by lovely staff open June-Aug, 11am-1am. I would recommend this place 100%. Everyone should spend some time at Casas da Lapa!”
  pandora, United Kingdom (18.07.10)

• “A very cozy retreat in the heart of Alentejo.”
  Adrian, Switzerland (17.05.10)