Quinta da Palmeira
Rural Portuguese country house. Warm, personal, unpretentious — wool carpets, wood floors, a stained-glass staircase, and a dining room with yellow walls and aubergine upholstery. Comfortable without trying to be grand.
Book the dinner (€39.50 for the 3-course surprise menu) by noon on the day — it fills up fast and the kitchen needs notice
Why It Matters
Michelin Guide-listed and Tablet Hotels member. One of the few genuinely personal, well-run retreats in Portugal's undervisited Serra do Açor. The nightly 3-course surprise menu (€39.50) made from garden produce draws consistent praise. Its remoteness is both its biggest draw and its main caveat.
A family-run country house dating to 1890, fully renovated and sitting in the village of Cerdeira in the Serra do Açor hills, about an hour by car from Coimbra and midway between Porto and Lisbon. Eight to nine rooms spread across the main house and an adjacent outbuilding, surrounded by orange groves and olive trees, with a saltwater pool, a private spa, and a restaurant that runs a nightly surprise dinner. The host, Jack Brouns, runs a tight, personal ship — this is very much a place built around genuine hospitality rather than hotel-industry polish.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Junior Suite
From EUR152 / nightAlso on the second floor of the main house, decorated with bold colour combinations, fine ornaments, and luxurious furnishings. Wool carpets on light wood floors, a large beautiful bed. 35m² — slightly smaller than the Premium but same floor and mountain views.
Double/King · 35 sqm
Junior Suite Premium
From EUR159 / nightThe biggest and best room in the house. Located on the second floor of the main building, designed as spacious, light, and airy with a modern and elegant aesthetic: woollen carpets on light wood floors, a large beautiful bed. 40m² gives you real room to breathe. Mountain views from the windows.
Double/King · 40 sqm
Standard Room
From EUR122 / nightOn the ground floor of the main house. Designed with a soul and a signature, inspired by the colours of the earth: beige woollen carpets on light wooden floors, large windows with mountain views. 22m² — the smallest double, but well put together and honest about what it is.
Double · 22 sqmStandard Single Room
From EUR79 / nightThe smallest room on the property and honest about it: a tiny no-frills single in a simple contemporary style in the separate outbuilding. Has a private terrace — which is a nice touch for the price. Good for solo travellers who just want a clean, quiet base.
Superior Room
From EUR145 / nightLocated in a separate building right next to the main house — more privacy than the rooms inside. Stylishly decorated with fine ornaments and luxurious furnishings on pale wood floors. Each room has a private terrace with mountain views. 28m².
Double · 28 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The historic schist village of Piódão is 15 km away by car — one of the oldest preserved villages in Portugal with stone houses, a church, museum, hanging bridge, and a secret sanctuary. Host Jack Brouns is the person to ask for guidance.
The property rents electric bikes for guests who want to explore the Serra do Açor without the agony of mountain gradients. Routes are available — trails wind through valleys, past waterfalls, and to viewpoints. Needs to be reserved in advance.
Organised mountain bike tours available as a package/voucher through the property.
Trails from the property (or very nearby) into the Bio Genetic Reserve — an 10-minute drive takes you to an extensive nature park with ancient named trees, waterfalls, and river access. Difficulty ranges from gentle valley walks to mountain routes.
Horse riding in the mountains available as a packaged experience through the property.
The local rivers around Cerdeira and Arganil are good for swimming and canoeing. The woods are dotted with natural waterfall-fed pools. The property or owner can point you in the right direction.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Complimentary wired and wireless internet in all rooms. Speeds reportedly 500+ Mbps.
Cribs available at €29/night. Rollaway/extra beds at €49/night. Note: only certain rooms are configured for families with infants.
Full bar overlooking the pool. Also described as a honesty bar within the main lounge.
Continental breakfast buffet included with room rates. Self-selected the day before; guests report it's high quality with fresh local ingredients.
Landscaped garden with shady spots, orange trees, and olive groves. Vegetable and herb garden supplying the restaurant.
EV charging available on site.
Free self-parking on property with direct, secure access.
An outdoor saltwater pool with mountain views, surrounded by tall palm trees. Sun loungers and pool umbrellas. 24-hour access. Poolside bar service available.
All rooms are air-conditioned.
Airport transfer available on request. €155 per vehicle (one-way), maximum 4 occupants. Must be arranged in advance through the property.
BUILD YOUR QUINTA DA PALMEIRA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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