Pousada de Faro - Palácio de Estoi

The Pousada de Faro was known, in a previous life, as the famous Palace of Estoi. Built in the 19th century by the Viscount of Estoi, a man of wealth and taste, he created a beautiful neo-rococo family home with superb French style gardens that owe more than a passing mod to Versailles, including statues and exotic flora.

Typical Portuguese tiles adorn a number of walls and it takes in two tea pavilions, a number of dining rooms and even its own chapel. It is all very romantic in that light neo-baroque style, so favoured in the 19th century. But it has also moved with the times. Since becoming part of Portugal’s Pousada routes in 2009, it has been modernised with an interesting new annexe with a few more bells and whistles added on. Included: Turkish baths, saunas, tropical showers, hydro-massage and even a heated indoor swimming pool.

In short, on top of the best things Pousadas in Portugal have got to offer, it also has pretty damn good spa facilities. For all the undoubted luxury and style offered by the country estate style Pousada de Estoi, don’t forget that this is the Algarve. Great beaches and coastline are but some 13 km away and easy to get to by car. As is the fantastic Ria Formosa Natural Park and some excellent golf courses to boot. Faro airport is also only 10 km so pretty easy to get to.