Bussaco Palace Hotel, a timeless masterpiece located in the heart of the Bussaco National Park, has been awarded the prestigious Luxury Lifestyle Awards for the Best Luxury Castle Hotel in Portugal for 2023. A testament to its rich history, breathtaking architecture, and a dream of providing an authentic experience for discerning travelers.

Built for the last Kings of Portugal in 1885 and transformed into a deluxe hotel in 1917, the Bussaco Palace Hotel pays homage to neo-Manueline-Gothic luxury. The flamboyant architecture, adorned with original antique furnishings, master paintings, and objets d’art by renowned Portuguese artists, showcases a bygone era of grandeur.

The hotel boasts the most important collection of “azulejos” panels from the late 19th century and an award-winning cuisine served in the King’s former banquet hall. Exclusive Buçaco wines, bottled on-site since 1918, sit in a historic wine cellar for private gatherings and tastings.

Guests can explore the 105-hectare virgin forest, planted in the 17th century by the Barefoot Carmelite Monks. Walking paths lead to fountains, chapels, belvederes, and a Way of the Cross in the exact scale of the original in Jerusalem, creating a serene and inspiring landscape.

No room at Bussaco Palace is identical, offering a unique experience for every guest. For wine enthusiasts, there’s a chance to taste a Buçaco wine from their birth year, adding a personal touch to the royal experience.

To enhance this magical experience, the Kings Suite offers a sunset vista with a glass of aged Port, the Royal dining hall promises the best of Portuguese cuisine, and breakfast on the terrace invites guests to get lost in the forest.

Founded in 1917 by Alexandre de Almeida, a pioneer in the Portuguese hotel industry, Bussaco Palace Hotel proudly bears his name. A leader in tourism and hotel education, Alexandre de Almeida laid the foundation for a timeless retreat, inviting guests to be part of the Portuguese Kings’ palace in an authentic royal fairy tale setting.

“Thank you so much to Luxury Lifestyle Awards for this incredible honor. We will continue to drive our goal to preserve and celebrate Portuguese history,” says Elisabete Saraiva, General Manager at Bussaco Palace Hotel.

To book your stay and experience Portuguese royal history at the timeless Bussaco Palace Hotel, visit https://www.almeidahotels.pt/en/hotel-bussaco-in-coimbra/