Pousada Santa Maria do Bouro

Amares

Portugal is famous for its fantastic natural landscapes which run from the north to the south of the country, and for the hospitality it reserves for tourists who come to discover them.

Porto, in the north, is popular with tourists anxious to discover the beauty of its sites and to learn the secrets behind the production of its world famous wine of the same name, known to us as port.

The Douro Valley, a few kilometers from Porto, has become a more and more popular destination with visitors who want to discover the country’s most beautiful vineyards and for the pleasant boat rides on the Douro which cross the valley.

To the north of Porto, they can also visit the Minho region, nicknamed the garden of Portugal since it’s one of Portugal’s protected green zones. On its green hills, we find the country’s only national park, the Peneda-Gerës with its numerous trails on which the more fortunate hikers might run into sheep herds, small wild horses, Iberian wolves or deer. The Minho region also contains a number of small typically Portuguese villages like Amares, whose inhabitants live primarily off the vineyards, which produce a delicious, fresh and sweet Vinho Verde.

A former convent transformed into a five star hotel

In the midst of Minho’s green mountains, in northern Portugal, we find the majestic and sculptural Pousada Santa Maria do Bouro. This all stone former monastery dating back to the 13^th century was occupied by monks in white robes until 1834. It was entirely renovated and transformed into a refined five-star hotel. The monumental work involved was brilliantly carried out by the Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto, using the magnificence of the site by associating the centuries old stone walls with a contemporary design décor that takes nothing away from the unique quality of the building.

Thirty two rooms were built in the former convent running from one end of a wide corridor to the other. They are all very spacious, in total harmony with the surroundings and contain sober modern furniture and pure lines, creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity for the body and the mind. A restful and profound night’s sleep is guaranteed. The bathrooms all have attractive period style windows, offering guests a view of either the courtyard and its lovely lemon trees, or the immense garden with its superb swimming pool. The Pousada Santa Maria do Bouro is also known for the quality of its international and locally inspired gastronomic cuisine.

Meals are served in the former refectory of the monastery, where the monks would eat in silence while listening to an instructive lecture. It is now a large dining room with a magnificent fireplace. In the summer, on the terrace, guests can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding hills and mountains.