Bussaco Palace Hotel ... Yay or Nay?
 

The reviews:
"Stunningly romantic!"
"Expect a true enchantment."
Absolutely fantastic!"
"Avoid."
"Very unhappy."
"Quite possibly the worst hotel I have stayed at in a decade."

Needless to say, the reviews of this hotel are quite diverse, which is why I am considering staying one night here next year. Whether terrible or fantastic, it should make for a fun story, and what the heck, it's only one night. Has anyone stayed here? If so, what's your take on Bussaco Palace Hotel?

I guess I'll have to make an uninformed decision. Oh well.

I only visited the grounds, but if I were driving and could afford it I'd definitely plan on one night. How bad can it be? If it is really terrible you could always leave - I did do that one time in Aleppo, but I can usually survive one night.

Tom, at this thread you have an opinion about Hotel do Bussaco: https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...dback-1698521/ written by laurenmsgarden:

"there was a wonderful former royal hunting lodge that we stayed in south of Porto that was also a major battlefield in the Napoleonic wars, but I'm spacing on the name (we were there many years ago)."

"and the hunting lodge was at Bussaco - battlefield site - magical place in old forest."

Helena

Thanks Helena. Just might be story too good to pass up.

We visited Bussaco 10+ years ago. Just meandered from Coimbra and came upon this magical place. Beautiful gardens, Manueline architecture to the max. Hiked around and then had lunch in the gorgeous restaurant. We were not dressed properly for which I apologized and asked them to put us in a corner. They had no issue with our lack of proper attire. The ambience made it a memorable lunch. I can see why the Brits are so enamored with Portugal.

Thanks Treesa. We booked it, so let the fun begin.

It has been several years ago that we stayed.

I think you make a wise decision to stay. The hotel is something like you will not see very many places. The grounds are unique. The hotel is old. The rooms are enormous and have rather heavy furnishings.

we only had breakfast there and it was quite good. If it is still there, there is a chapel on the grounds were people light candles that are in the shape of body parts and it is to pray for someone with a particular affliction. Also, if I remember correctly some little tokens for the loved ones.

I hope you enjoy it

We stayed there for a few nights about 8 years ago - loved it! It was quirky, sort of haunted castle in the woods ambiance, but wonderful walking paths, and if you like history great museum of Napoleonic battle that took place there. Food was awesome - The hotel was just a bit hard to find but that only added to the magical feel. Let us know if do go.

"there is a chapel on the grounds were people light candles that are in the shape of body parts and it is to pray for someone with a particular affliction."

With as many things going on with me right now, they're going to need a lot of candles and a lot of body parts. (: Looking forward to our night at the palace.