Pousadas de Portugal
Encyclopedia
Pousadas de Portugal is a chain of luxury, traditional or historical hotels in Portugal
. Formerly run by the state, they are now run by the Pestana group, which in September 2003 won a public bid for the sale of 37.6% of mother company Enatur and for a 40-year running concession. It is a member of the Historic Hotels of Europe
.
The Pousadas were envised and created in the early 1940s by Government Minister António Ferro, also a poet
and playwright
, who had the idea of creating hotels that were both rustic and genuinely Portuguese. His first Pousada was built in Elvas, in the Alentejo, which would be the first of what Ferro called «small hotels that look nothing like hotels». This Pousada is still in use. There are now 44 Pousadas installed in historic buildings.
s and a special attention to the local gastronomy
.
In the 50's, a new designation was added, "Historical Pousadas", these hotels were installed in historical monuments and buildings, castle
s, convent
s and monasteries
. The first Pousada created under this new designation was Pousada do Castelo in Óbidos.
In 1995 the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Smithsonian Foundation
, awarded the Pousadas de Portugal the annual prize for the institutions around the world with an active part in the protection of cultural and environmental heritage for touristic purposes.
The winner was the PPG - Pestana Pousadas Group, formed by Pestana Group
(59.8%), CGD
Group (25%), Oriente Foundation (15%) and more two companies with 0.2% (Viagens Abreu
& Portimar). On 1 September 2003, the PPG became responsible for the management of the Pousadas hotel chain for a period of 20 years.
. in 2009 it estimates the opening of Pousada do Freixo, Porto
and the Pousada de Viseu.
Under an internationalization optic, the PPG wants to open Pousadas in all the locations that the Portuguese once ruled: Asia (Goa
, Macau
and even East Timor
?), Africa (Cape Verde
, Mozambique
and even Angola
?) and new places in Brazil
.
or even its concept
:
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. Formerly run by the state, they are now run by the Pestana group, which in September 2003 won a public bid for the sale of 37.6% of mother company Enatur and for a 40-year running concession. It is a member of the Historic Hotels of Europe
Historic Hotels of Europe
Historic Hotels of Europe is the European-level umbrella organisation of 21 national promoters of finer hotels that have maintained their historic character. Consequently, more than 600 châteaux, manors, convents, palaces, monasteries, farms, townhouses, villas, post-houses and family-owned...
.
The Pousadas were envised and created in the early 1940s by Government Minister António Ferro, also a poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, who had the idea of creating hotels that were both rustic and genuinely Portuguese. His first Pousada was built in Elvas, in the Alentejo, which would be the first of what Ferro called «small hotels that look nothing like hotels». This Pousada is still in use. There are now 44 Pousadas installed in historic buildings.
Origins
Created by the Law 31.259 of the 1 May 1941, by António Ferro's initiative. The first hotel was inaugurated in 1942, in Elvas, Alentejo, region that has several historical pousadas. Other "Regional Pousadas" were inaugurated, always with a small number of roomRoom
A room is any distinguishable space within a structure.Room may also refer to:* Room , by Emma Donoghue* Room, Nepal* Room for PlayStation Portable, a social networking service* Thomas Gerald Room , Australian mathematician...
s and a special attention to the local gastronomy
Gastronomy
Gastronomy is the art or science of food eating. Also, it can be defined as the study of food and culture, with a particular focus on gourmet cuisine...
.
In the 50's, a new designation was added, "Historical Pousadas", these hotels were installed in historical monuments and buildings, castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
s, convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
s and monasteries
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
. The first Pousada created under this new designation was Pousada do Castelo in Óbidos.
In 1995 the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Smithsonian Foundation
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, awarded the Pousadas de Portugal the annual prize for the institutions around the world with an active part in the protection of cultural and environmental heritage for touristic purposes.
Privatization
In 2003, due to the accumulation of negative results for more than a decade, the Portuguese Government led by Durão Barroso decided to privatize the 49% of ENATUR's capital, as well as concede the management of the Pousadas to the winning group.The winner was the PPG - Pestana Pousadas Group, formed by Pestana Group
Pestana Group
Pestana Group is currently the largest Portuguese tourism and leisure group, its hotel chain PH&R , has 41 hotels and more than 8,700 rooms. And since 2003, PH&R manages the Pousadas de Portugal....
(59.8%), CGD
Caixa Geral de Depósitos
Caixa Geral de Depósitos is a Portuguese state-owned banking corporation and the largest bank in Portugal.- History :*1876 — Caixa Geral de Depósitos was founded under the aegis of the Junta de Crédito Público....
Group (25%), Oriente Foundation (15%) and more two companies with 0.2% (Viagens Abreu
Viagens Abreu
Viagens Abreu is the world’s oldest travel agency, as well as the largest travel organization in Portugal. The current headquarters are in Porto, with the main office in Linda–a–Velha, a suburb of Lisbon, in a spacious office building...
& Portimar). On 1 September 2003, the PPG became responsible for the management of the Pousadas hotel chain for a period of 20 years.
The future
In Portugal, the PPG intends to continue the expansion of this hotel chain . In 2007 it will open the Pousada de Ínfias in BragaBraga
Braga , a city in the Braga Municipality in northwestern Portugal, is the capital of the Braga District, the oldest archdiocese and the third major city of the country. Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World...
. in 2009 it estimates the opening of Pousada do Freixo, Porto
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
and the Pousada de Viseu.
Worldwide
In 2005, the first Pousada de Portugal outside of Portugal opened in Brazil, in a historic building and fort built by the Portuguese. Although this is by far the biggest hotel in the chain, in Brazil "pousada" means a cheaper hotel, more like a bed and breakfast, which may lead to confusion.Under an internationalization optic, the PPG wants to open Pousadas in all the locations that the Portuguese once ruled: Asia (Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
, Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
and even East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
?), Africa (Cape Verde
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
, Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
and even Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
?) and new places in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
Pousadas Hotel Chain Segmentation
The Pousadas are divided in four main groups, according to their architectural specifity, its surroundingsSurroundings
Surroundings are the area around a given physical or geographical point or place. The exact definition depends on the field. Surroundings can also be used in geography and mathematics, as well as philosophy, with the literal or metaphorically extended definition.In thermodynamics, the term is used...
or even its concept
Concept
The word concept is used in ordinary language as well as in almost all academic disciplines. Particularly in philosophy, psychology and cognitive sciences the term is much used and much discussed. WordNet defines concept: "conception, construct ". However, the meaning of the term concept is much...
:
- Pousadas Históricas (Historic Pousadas), located in well preserved yet unspoilt national monuments, such as convents, monasteries, castles or fortresses;
- Pousadas Históricas Design (historic design Pousadas), also in monuments, castles, convents, fortresses and palaces that were vastly renovated, sporting artistic and contemporary decoration and facilities;
- Pousadas Charme (charm Pousadas), located in areas of romantic, unique atmosphere;
- Pousadas Natureza (Nature Pousadas), in natural countryside locations.
Historical Pousadas
(In historical buildings)- AlvitoAlvito (Portugal)Alvito is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 264.8 km² and a total population of 2,708 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 2 parishes, and is located in Beja District.The current mayor is João Lança Trindade.-History:...
- Pousada de Alvito Historic Hotel - BejaBeja (Portugal)Beja is a city in the Beja Municipality in the Alentejo region, Portugal. The municipality has a total area of 1,147.1 km² and a total population of 34,970 inhabitants. The city proper has a population of 21,658....
- Pousada de Beja Historic Hotel - BelmonteBelmonte-People and titles:*Prince Belmonte or Princess Belmonte, a Spanish and Italian noble title*Domenico Pignatelli di Belmonte, a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church*Gennaro Granito Pignatelli di Belmonte, a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church...
- Pousada do Convento de Belmonte - Estremoz - Pousada de Estremoz Historic Hotel
- ÉvoraÉvoraÉvora is a municipality in Portugal. It has total area of with a population of 55,619 inhabitants. It is the seat of the Évora District and capital of the Alentejo region. The municipality is composed of 19 civil parishes, and is located in Évora District....
- Pousada de Évora Historic Hotel - GuimarãesGuimarãesGuimarães Municipality is located in northwestern Portugal in the province of Minho and in the Braga District. It contains the city of Guimarães.The present Mayor is António Magalhães Silva, elected by the Socialist Party.-Parishes:-Economy:...
- Pousada de Guimarães - Sta. Marinha Historic Hotel - Mesão FrioMesão FrioMesão Frio is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 26.7 km² and a total population of 4,652 inhabitants, composed of seven parishes in the district of Vila Real.-History:...
- Pousada do Solar da Rede - Óbidos - Pousada de Óbidos Historic Hotel
- OurémOurémOurém is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 416.6 km² and a total population of 49,269 inhabitants. The city itself has a population of about 12,000.The municipality is composed of 18 parishes, and is located in the district of Santarém...
- Pousada de Ourém - Fátima Historic Hotel - PalmelaPalmelaPalmela is a town and a municipality in Portugal with a total area of and a total population of 58,222 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 5 parishes, and is located in Setúbal District, about south of Lisbon.The municipal holiday is June 1....
- Pousada de Palmela Historic Hotel - PortoPortoPorto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
- Pousada do Porto Palace Hotel - QueluzQueluz (Sintra)Queluz is a Portuguese city and parish ,located in the municipality of Sintra, in the Lisbon District. The city of Queluz, which includes the parishes of Queluz, Massamá and Monte Abraão, has a combined population of approximately 111,424 and it is located in the municipality of Sintra, in the...
/ Lisboa - Pousada de Queluz Palace HotelPousada de Dona Maria, QueluzThe Pousada de Dona Maria is a large building in Queluz, Portugal. It is the focal point of a complex of buildings within the precincts of the Queluz Palace. The edifice is Baroque in design with an ecclesiastical appearance due to its five stage bell tower surmounted by floral finials. In age... - SetúbalSetúbalSetúbal is the main city in Setúbal Municipality in Portugal with a total area of 172.0 km² and a total population of 118,696 inhabitants in the municipality. The city proper has 89,303 inhabitants....
- Pousada de Setubal Historic Hotel - TaviraTaviraTavira is a Portuguese city, situated at 37°07' north, 7°39' west in the east of the Algarve on the south coast of Portugal. It is 30 km east of Faro and 160 km west of Seville in Spain. The Gilão River meets the Atlantic Ocean in Tavira....
- Pousada de Tavira Historic Hotel - Vila Pouca da BeiraVila Pouca da BeiraVila Pouca da Beira is a village and freguesia in the Portuguese municipality of Oliveira do Hospital.It has a surface area of 5.12 km² and 383 inhabitants . Its population density is 74,8 inh/km²....
- Pousada Convento do Desagravo Historic Hotel - Vila ViçosaVila ViçosaVila Viçosa is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 195.0 km² and a total population of 8,745 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 5 parishes, and is located in the District of Évora....
- Pousada de Vila Viçosa Historic Hotel
Historical Design Pousadas
(In historical buildings with modern architectonical elements)- Alcácer do SalAlcácer do SalAlcácer do Sal is a municipality in Portugal, located in Setúbal District. It has a total area of and a total population of 13,624 inhabitants.-History :-Earliest settlement:...
- Pousada de Alcácer do Sal Historic Hotel - AmaresAmaresAmares is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 82.0 km² and a total population of 19,290 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 24 parishes, and is located in Braga District....
/Gerês - Pousada de Amares Historic Hotel - Angra do HeroísmoAngra do HeroísmoAngra do Heroísmo , locally referred to as Angra, is a municipality and city on the island of Terceira, within the Portuguese autonomous region of the Azores. The municipal area has a population of 35,581 and an area of . Along with Praia da Vitória to the north, it is one of two municipal...
/Açores - Pousada de Angra do Heroísmo Historic Hotel - ArraiolosArraiolosArraiolos is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 683.0 km² and a total population of 7,389 inhabitants. The small town of Arraiolos has 3,351 inhabitants.The municipality is located in Évora District....
- Pousada de Arraiolos Historic Hotel - CratoCrato, PortugalCrato is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 398.0 km² and a total population of 3,995 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 6 parishes, and is located in Portalegre District....
- Pousada do Crato Historic Hotel - FaroFaro MunicipalityFaro Municipality is located in Faro District in Portugal and contains the city of Faro....
|EstoiEstoiEstoi is a Portuguese parish in Faro Municipality, in the Algarve. It has an area of 46.55 km² and a population of 3,538 . The name of the parish, which was formerly spelled "Estói", was changed in 2004.-Sights:...
- Pousada de Faro Palace Hotel
Nature Pousadas
(In calm and relaxing places, with characteristics for eco-tourism)- Caniçada/Gerês - Pousada do Gerês - Caniçada Charming Hotel
- ManteigasManteigasManteigas is a town and a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 125.0 km² and a total population of 4,002 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 4 parishes, and is located in Guarda District; in Centro Region and Beira Interior Norte Subregion, Comunidade urbana: Beiras...
- Pousada de Manteigas Charming Hotel - Marão - Pousada de São Gonçalo
- Ria de Aveiro - Pousada da Ria de Aveiro Charming HotelPousada da RiaThe Pousada da Ria is situated in the civil parish of Torreira in the municipality of Murtosa, district of Aveiro...
- SagresSagresSagres Point , is a windswept shelf-like promontory located in the southwest Algarve region of southern Portugal. Only 4 km to the west and 3 km to the north lies Cape St. Vincent which is usually taken as the southwesternmost tip of Europe. The vicinity of Sagres Point and Cape St...
- Pousada de Sagres Charming Hotel - Santa Clara-a-VelhaSanta Clara-a-VelhaSanta Clara-a-Velha is a Portuguese parish in the municipality of Odemira. It has a population of 780 and an area of 99.42 km². In this village is located a dam of Santa Clara , that already was one of the largest dams in Europe....
- Pousada de Santa Clara-a-Velha Charming Hotel
Charming Pousadas
(In typical buildings or places)- AlijóAlijóAlijó is a municipality in the Norte Region of Portugal, located in the district of Vila Real. The municipality, comprising 19 parishes, has a total area of 267.6 km² and a population of 13,942 inhabitants .-History:There are several megalithic structures, dolmens and castros in Alijó...
- Pousada de Alijó Charming Hotel - BragaBragaBraga , a city in the Braga Municipality in northwestern Portugal, is the capital of the Braga District, the oldest archdiocese and the third major city of the country. Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World...
- Pousada de Braga Charming Hotel - BragançaBragança (Portugal)Bragança is a city and municipality in north-eastern Portugal, capital of district of Bragança, in Alto Trás-os-Montes subregion of Portugal. In 2001, the population of the municipality was 34,774, in an area of 1173.57 km².-History:...
- Pousada de Bragança Charming Hotel - Condeixa-a-NovaCondeixa-a-NovaCondeixa-a-Nova , also known as Condeixa, is a town and a municipality in the district of Coimbra, Portugal. It is located 15 km south of Coimbra, and in the Greater Metropolitan Area of Coimbra...
- Pousada de Condeixa-a-Nova Charming Hotel - Elvas - Pousada de Elvas Charming Hotel (first Pousada of the network)
- GuimarãesGuimarãesGuimarães Municipality is located in northwestern Portugal in the province of Minho and in the Braga District. It contains the city of Guimarães.The present Mayor is António Magalhães Silva, elected by the Socialist Party.-Parishes:-Economy:...
- Pousada de Guimarães - N. Sra. Oliveira Charming Hotel - HortaHorta-Meaning:* horta, 'orchard' or 'vegetable garden' in Portuguese and Valencian/Catalan, Spanish huerta-People:* Nelson Horta , a Cuban Journalist, now living in Miami,Florida USA* Adolfo Horta , a Cuban boxer...
/Açores - Pousada da Horta Historic Hotel - MarvãoMarvãoMarvão is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 154.9 km² and a total population of 3,739 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 4 parishes, and is located in Portalegre District....
- Pousada de Marvão Charming Hotel - Valença do Minho - Pousada de Valença Charming Hotel
- Viana do Castelo - Pousada de Viana do Castelo Charming Hotel
- ViseuViseuViseu is both a city and a municipality in the Dão-Lafões Subregion of Centro Region, Portugal. The municipality, with an area of 507.1 km², has a population of 99,593 , and the city proper has 47,250...
- Pousada de Viseu Charming Spa Hotel