High up in the Serra da Estrela, with sweeping views over the Zêzere Valley, lies Casa de São Lourenço – a place that strikes a rare balance between contemporary design and deep-rooted regionalism. The hotel is a stylish reinterpretation of a former pousada from the 1940s. Architect Pedro Brígida and designer duo Cristina and Francisco Cunha have breathed new life into the building, using lots of glass, warm wood, granite and wool from the region. The 17 suites open onto the landscape, which is not a backdrop here, but the main attraction. In the spa, the scent of mountain herbs meets a minimalist ambience. The in-house restaurant serves upscale Portuguese cuisine – modern in concept, regional in origin. Casa de São Lourenço is more than a retreat. It is a statement: for slowness, for craftsmanship, for the power of nature. Those who check in here check out above all else – from the pace of the world.
N232, Km 49.3
6260-200 Manteigas
price: double from 240 €
