Casa de Casal de Loivos

Jim2 years ago

5/5

The Casa De Casal was the absolute hotel highlight of my two-week/seven-city tour of Portugal! I took a 6-7 hour one-way boat tour up the Douro River (through the Rota do Douro boat service, also a world-class experience), getting off in Pinyao and then taking a quick 5-minute taxi ride up the hills to the hotel. The rooms are spacious and very clean and open out onto a wide and long multi-level gravel terrace with unobstructed 180 degree breath-taking views of the river valley and the historic grape terraces below, The terrace has clusters of chairs and tables comfortably separated for private conversations and relaxing outside with some house wine and delicious nuts, or any other meal that they can accommodate outside. The clean swimming pool below beckons travelers to book an extra day or two (I wish that I had!) to get some R&R downtime and sun. Chirping birds are the only sounds breaking the silence and splendor of the rolling green hilltops below. The hostess and house manager Macaela is a gracious and caring steward of this incredible home. Dinner is family-style at a huge and beautiful dinning table where all of the guests can meet and discover other friendly nationalities and travelers. I am a strict vegetarian, and much to my surprise, Macaela had arranged to offer me an egg-less chocolate mousse desert after my dinner meal (and the meal itself was divine). It had been 50 years since I had had a mousse and it was so delicious and thoughtful of her! The experience exceeded even my heightened expectations and was one of the best travel experiences in my life. Make time in your travel agenda to enjoy the slow trip up the Douro and through the water locks, rewarded by the stunning views, peace and quiet, and exemplary facility and hospitality offered by Macaela and her staff in this world-class home!