Casa Do Anquião

“Great Value in an Atmospheric 17th Century Estate”

We stayed at the Casa de Anquião for 2-nights while exploring the area & Peneda-Gerês National Park in late-Sep (70 €/night). Located 4 km from Ponte de Lima in a rural area and (improbably) beside a golf course, the casa had its origins as a 17th century estate and was impressively atmospheric ... more

We stayed at the Casa de Anquião for 2-nights while exploring the area & Peneda-Gerês National Park in late-Sep (70 €/night). Located 4 km from Ponte de Lima in a rural area and (improbably) beside a golf course, the casa had its origins as a 17th century estate and was impressively atmospheric and ancient. On arrival, you see an enormous cross-topped gate flanked by 2 gatehouse rooms, then a flagstone praça behind which is the casa perched on a hill overlooking the pool, its private orchard and lake & the golf course beyond. Everywhere there are atmospheric touches – crosses above roof peaks, a private grainary, huge urns, tiled roofs, masses of onions & garlic drying in a shed. And inside there is more – antique furnishings, bronze statues, muskets hanging from the walls in the salon, hallways and breakfast area. Our room, in the stone-walled gatehouse, was no exception. Entering, we were astounded by the huge sitting area with its soaring, wood-beamed roof, fireplace, tile floors, period painting & wall china, & antique wood chests, with just a hint of wood smoke in the air. You would expect such a space to be dark, but 3 shuttered wood windows & a patio door let in enough light to make it open and welcoming. At the far end of the room were a pair of stone stairs, one leading to a tiny kitchen (hot plate, sink, mini-refrigerator), the other to the large bedroom with its comfortable queen bed & side tables, chest of drawers, and closet. The bathroom, en suite to the bedroom, was large with a bathtub/shower and a small cabinet with plenty of space for your toiletries. The atmospheric nature of the space is difficult to overstate - late at night, I simply sat in the dim light, drinking in the feeling of sitting in a huge, stone walled room where the windows & doors could still be barred with wood posts that fit into slots in the stone, thinking of days it was all necessary to repel invaders. On the grounds, the pool was large, well maintained, & had plenty of loungers (a bit too cold at this time of year, though). Breakfast was delicious, with a variety of cold-cuts, bread & buns, coffee, fresh orange juice, coffee, as well as hot food – mini-pancakes, scrambled eggs & bacon. Internet was available, but only in the salon if the main house. You need to go to town for dinner (and anything else), a 10-min While the casa was identified in our GPS, it was still a bit difficult to find. If you approach from Ponte de Lima, the main road south winds up through the hills then, just as it begins downward turn right at the sign for the hotel and watch for a second sign that directs you through a stone gate. It doesn't look like a hotel, but if you follow the dirt road to the right, it will lead to the reception. If you are in the area, this was a must-stay destination with astonishing value for the price. Highly recommended.

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