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POUSADA MOSTEIRO DA FLOR DA ROSA |
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CRATO , PORTUGAL
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Don't be alarmed by the very basic entrance cloister, which probably looks much as it did 500 years ago. Once you're through the glass-and-steel door, it's a different story: the reception area is filled with huge plant-filled urns, creamy stone floors and all the usual accoutrements of a modern hotel. This Pousada has much to recommend it: a quiet village location; a rambling walled garden filled with cypress, vines and olive trees, an enticing swimming pool (plus a children's pool and an outdoor shower), an airy first-floor restaurant with garden views, comfortable and well-equipped rooms, a TV room, a snooker room and a choice of sitting areas. The hotel also has a historic bell tower (complete with nesting storks), as well as its own quaint legend which gave the place its name, of a knight, his maiden and his gift of a single rose.
Perhaps the building's most arresting feature is the bar. Originally a refectory, it has high vaulted ceilings, vast stone pillars and arched windows that provide an impressive backdrop for the modern furnishings: zingy lime-green sofas, striped cushions, boxy aubergine-leather chairs arranged around low wooden tables and huge, white floor lights. And if you fancy a cigar with your apéritif, there's even a humidor.
Rooms are evenly divided between the old and new parts of the building: the modern rooms are spacious, with white walls, wooden floors, wicker chaises longues, marble and mosaic-tiled bathrooms and small balconies. For period features, more space and wider views, book into one of three tower rooms: 601 - with its own terrace - has the best views.
The original building dates back to the mid-14th century, when it was constructed for the Order of the Hospitaller Knights. Much has changed since then, where once you'd have walked on rough stone there is now smooth, red marly flooring, cylindrical steel-and-triangular-parchment floor lights and wooden sculptures. In the old tower hall, sofas are arranged around the ancient, stone fireplace and a modern depiction of one of the former knightly occupants hangs opposite.
For dinner, select whatever you can see in the fields from the menu, like ensopado de Borrego, a lamb stew that is a delicious local speciality. Dessert (as in all of the Pousadas) consists of a buffet of varying combinations of nuts, spices, eggs, butter, sugar, honey and fruit.
CONTACT
Pousada Mosteiro da Flor da Rosa, Crato (00 351 245 997210; fax: 997212). Standard doubles from around £70, deluxe doubles from around £83 |
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