Casas da Lapa Nature & Spa

Rooms

The 8 suites and 7 double bedrooms are similar in size and layout, and are arranged on 3 levels beside and above the swimming pool. Most of these have kingsized or twin beds and contemporary furnishings: cube armchairs, sleek cylindrical lamps, laminated bedwalls and eyecatching sculptures set into a series of small niches. All have great views to the mountains thanks to the big glass panels of their exterior doors.

The lowest two doubles are more traditional and have queensized beds with antique headboards. Up above these is a larger double bedroom, where there's plenty of space to slot in 2 additional single beds. These 3 rooms have the added advantage of interior access to a guest sitting room (in addition to that of the main house) with a televison and DVD: iPod docks are an added bonus.

Bathrooms are decorated in muted monochromes; stylish freestanding ceramic sinks are set on a generous sweep of black marble surface. You'll find a hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, and a trayful of natural bath products sourced in Sicily; the jacuzzi tubs are perfect for a post-trek soak.

There are also 2 apartments, which are a great choice for families (although there are no twin beds), or people who want more privacy and independence. Set 300 metres from the hotel, they are contemporary in style with either 2 or 3 bedrooms, kitchenettes, sitting areas and a shared courtyard terrace and small swimming pool.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Minibar/fridge

Eating

Breakfast is served in a fab sleek dining room overlooking the lower swimming pool terrace. You're welcome to come down any time up to 1pm, in which case it could easily become brunch. Accompanied by the sounds of classical piano music, my buffet feast included a selection of cereals, excellent bread, a fruit salad, home-baked cakes, local honey, freshly-squeezed orange juice, ham, an excellent selection of tasty Beiras cheeses and natural yoghurt.

Light meals are available during the day, either inside or outside by the pool: expect fish salads, pizza, hamburgers, vegetable omelettes and pies.

Dinner is a 5-course event showcasing the seasonal products and typical flavours of the Serra da Estrela region.

If you want to eat out you will need to drive to Seia, 7km away, where most restaurants are of the rustic-regional sort: lots of lamb and smoked pork sausages as well as local sheep's cheese.

Features include:

• Children's meals
• Minibar/fridge
• Restaurant

Activities

• The National Park has a unique landscape of dramatic glacial valleys (geologists will be in their element!), powerful waterfalls, primitive forest of black oaks and chestnut trees, and granite outcrops. Reception can provide maps and recommend walks of varying levels of difficulty in the mountains - particularly lovely in spring and autumn. I only had time to accompany the owners on a short hike out from Lapa to a cave and waterfall but it left me in awe at the beauty of the Beiras National Park
  
  
• Guided 4-day walking tour Click for itinerary
  
  
• 4x4 drive tours can also be arranged, as can mountain biking - the hotel has its own bikes you can borrow
  
  
• The caves of Moura and Suma are worth visiting; you can try your hand at abseiling, or (in winter) go skiing at Portugal's only resort
  
  
• Near the village are no fewer than 8 fluvial beaches, where in summer you can swim in wonderfully invigorating pure mountain water, or relax under the trees in pristine natural scenery. The park is also the source of the rivers Mondego, Zezere and Alva
  
  
• Discover the stunning villages of Liñhares and Piódão, and the crumbling castles which dot the landscape
  
  
• Seia (7km) has a Park Visitor Centre, a Toy Museum and a Bread Museum, Gouveia a zoo, Belmonte a museum recalling the rich Jewish heritage and the local woollen industry
  
  
• Relax around Lapa's 11x4m swimming pool, or check out the steam room, gym, and sauna. You can book a massage too

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Hiking
• Skiing

Kids

Children are greeted with open arms at Casas da Lapa. Owners Nuno and Maria Manuel have a family of their own and have a genuinely caring attitude towards younger visitors. It is a long drive from the airport, but once you get here there is plenty to do for all the family and you won't have to bring much with you.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

The 2 Superior Rooms and Suites 1, 2, 3 and 6 are suitable for 2 adults and 1-2 children. Cots are free but extra beds carry a charge.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 2 hours
• Hospital: 15 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Casas da Lapa is located in Lapa dos Dinheiros, a small village in the Natural Park of Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain in Portugal. It's about 300km northeast of Lisbon, in the central-east part of Portugal. The nearest city (Seia) is 7km away, the Spanish border is around 100km east.

Allow plenty of time for the journey to and from Lapa: you'll be driving through some stunning countryside and this area is far too beautiful to rush. Allow a little over 4 hours if arriving from Lisbon and about half that time from Porto. Bear in mind, too, that you could fly into Madrid and travel across to the Beiras from there, perhaps breaking journey in Salamanca which is about a 2-drive from Lapa.

By Air
Fly to Lisbon Portela (300km) or Oporto (175km). Lisbon is further away, but more carriers fly here. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving both airports.

From the Airport
We'd recommend hiring a car (see below).

By Car
See our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Portugal and getting around