Hotel Convento de São Paulo

Built in the 14th century, on the slopes of the Ossa mountain range, by monks who wanted a place where they could pray and find spiritual peace, the Monastery of St Paul is now a refined and comfortable hotel.

Situated within 600 hectares of woodland it takes in two large gardens, two Florentine-style fountains, 50,000 glazed tiles lining its walls and majestic architectonic lines. Refurbished in 1993, the Monastery is now a four-star hotel. All of its rooms are equipped with modern facilities such as bathroom, air-conditioning, telephone and TV, whilst the outdoor swimming pool fits in nicely with the surrounding landscape.

Unsurprisingly, the hotel is steeped in history. According to the chronicles, the monastery has been visited by many illustrious figures, including Catherine of Braganza, who married King Charles II of England in 1661, King Sebastian and John IV. In 1892 King Charles invited the court and nobility to a picnic in the monastery gardens. All in all, staying at the hotel is returning to the past in comfort.