It's quite extraordinary what's been done to this building. Touches of its long history are everywhere, but as a hotel it is absolutely modern and comfortable. As an aficionado of modern design, I was floored. There are many public gathering spaces -- not just a bar and restaurant but the pool, various nooks with tables, a serene courtyard, a living room.

We were put in a room with a lovely little balcony overlooking the pool. My one complaint about the room -- in fact all rooms I stayed in in Portugal -- was that instead of a double bed, we had twin beds pushed together.

The service was friendly, the lunch good enough, the breakfast buffet extraordinary. The bartender took us down to see the display of ruins unearthed when the builders were intending to construct a spa. Amazing! The hotel sits atop the city and can be a little tricky to find, but absolutely worth it and walking distance to anything you'd want to see in Tavira.

The instant peace in this building is, perhaps, much needed after driving around the base of the hill looking for the way in! Rooms are comfortable and spacious. Breakfasts are huge and cater for every possible taste from cheese and olives, via umpteen meats and preserves, to sparkling wine and bountiful fruit. Swimming pool gleamed. Staff were friendly. Internet worked. Some firm discussion achieved a very agreeable outcome to a serious in-room electrical problem where a 'repair' had been overlooked by quality control. The finder lived (swore a bit!) and the hotel management was effusive in apologies, moved us and got the problem rectified.

We called into the pousada in Sagres for an afternoon cup of tea while on a trip away from lagos. We were very impressed with the facilities there and although happy with our accommodation in Lagos, decided on the spot to try another pousada, and settled on Tavires as it is close to Faro and best suited for our last night on the Algarve. we arrived before midday and decided to ask if we could leave our car there while we explored the town, as the hotel is slap bang in the middle of a very small medieval old town, and parking is at a premium. However the desk staff were more than happy to show us to our room. We had a very enjoyable walk around town and after lunch took a drive out to some of the villages around the coast, such as Cabanas, to take a look at the beaches. The old town is surrounded by new build and is very much an oasis away from the developments in the area.

Our room was a superior(without asking) and we were very impressed with the layout and decor.. It is modern, but compliments the architecture tastefully. the public areas are very well set out and comfortable. The bar staff are friendly and competent. Drinks are no more expensive than you would expect of a hotel in this class.( small beer and a diet coke is @ €9 . They have a selection of games, should your conversation dry up. We played rummy and Blackjack.
We ate in the restaurant and both agreed we chose well. Staff are attentive but not stuffy The food is good, but the desserts are the same all over Portugal, and here they are no better or worse, just a bigger choice.

There is an out door pool, but I will come back in the summer and tell you what that is like. The hotel gives you a wonderful sense of seclusion right in the middle of town. The staff exudes a calmness that would not have been out of place with the previous incumbents.
There is some building work a little way from the walls of the hotel, wave and the crane driver might wave back.

There is a room with children’s toys and a TV showing cartoons, but this hotel is not really suitable for children and parents might find it difficult to keep them amused.

I haven't told you about the buffet breakfast, but I will when I have had it, as I am using the free internet access to do some work, check my emails and send this report, all from the comfort of my superior bedroom. Life is grand.

We have just returned from a long weekend at this beautiful pousada and didn't have a single complaint. A wonderful old convent built around a serene inner courtyard in a charming small town (the nicest town we saw on the Algarve) and it is as quietly elegant as it is discrete. We had a superior room with terrace and everything including the marble bathroom was generous and well stocked. We certainly didn't have any problems with hot water and the shower was powerful. I think Mr TUk must have been at a different hotel! Breakfast was plentiful & varied and the staff were extremely attentive. Don't think the Pousada even offers "sea view rooms" so perhaps he should have done his homework better on that one! As for the building works, there weren't any. This pousada comes with full recommendations.