This place is for those who want a little more character than we often see in hotels these days, with their cookie-cutter approach to decor and style. Not that this place lacks anything in terms of quality, comfort and service - it is right up there with the best. They have such interesting and imaginative things decorating the hotel and it is great to just explore and see them - nothing boring or bland here. The rooms are a nice sizer with comfortable beds and additional heating (that is put on prior to your arrival - a nice touch). The breakfast was amazing - I dont eat a big breakfast but made an exception here - everything was so fresh that I just inhaled it.
Very nice pension. Rooms decorated in rustical style. This is a renovated old mansion (dating from 19th century). Rooms are clean and nicely decorated. Very friendful people. The garden is beautiful and contains a swimming pool and a seperate garden building for breakfast (or reading). Mr. Madeira welcomed us with a Portuguese lichior. Rio Maior in itself is not so special, but the place is a good base for making trips to for example Nazare or Obidos or other nice places in the area north of Lisbon. And Lisbon is about 1 hour driving.
Rio Maior is not a destination that many travellers from the UK will find themselves in. It is definitely 'small town' Portugal. It's reasonably close to Lisbon, about a forty minute drive. So, if you'd like to experience the city and the countryside, I would definitely recommend this small hotel as a less urban stop over. The hotel is in a gated compound, which has been planted beautifully. There is a small pool, for the hotter season. Parking is on street and you may struggle to park alongside the hotel. However, nowhere in Rio Maior is too far to walk to. The hotel is set on a small hill, in the ancient part of town. The streets around it are narrow and winding, with some pretty buildings. The hotel itself is kind on the eye. The rooms are more rustic than what you'd expect from the international chains, but are comfortable. What impressed me most was the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff here. I had messed up with power adaptors and needed to charge my phone. An enquiry about where to buy either an adaptor, or charger in town, resulted in a phone charger being lent to me by a member of staff. No prompting was needed and it was offered with a smile. We had an early morning departure for the airport in Lisbon. We arrived at the room, the previous evening, to find a well stocked breakfast basket. A most pleasing demonstration of the care Casa Do Foral shows its guests. For the bird watchers amongst you, you'll find swifts nesting in the hotel roof and Cetti's warbler on the edges of town. Booted eagles fly over. There are many other birds of prey around and white storks nesting not far away. Blackstarts are on the hill behind town. If interested, take your binoculars.…
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