Pousada de Santa Maria do Bouro, more commonly known as Pousada Mosteiro de Amares it is located in Amares, between the city of Braga and the Serra do Gerês. The Pousada is the result of the restoration of a Cistercian Monastery from the 12th century, a work of distinguished architect, Eduardo Souto de Moura, winner of the 2011 Pritzker Prize, the most important worldwide architecture prize. The Pousada is located only 17 minutes from Peneda Gerês National Park and is enveloped in fascinating scenery. During your stay, you can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, the tennis court and leave your vehicle in the car park. For dining, we offer a restaurant and a bar with a fantastic fireplace, great for lighter meals on winter days. The rooms are welcoming and comfortable, furnished in the name of Siza Vieira and equipped with cable TV and free Wi-Fi.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish, Portuguese
Location
Largo do Terreiro - Santa Maria Do Bouro, Amares 4720-633 Portugal
I've visited this Pousada about 20 years ago. Now, when I came to visit it again, I could still enjoy the architecture (good mix of monastery tradition and modern comfort) and the surroundings (beautiful outside environment and garden). The staff is very nice and efficient. Breakfast is quite good and respecting the COVID protection rules. The hotel also has free parking (in case the public parking in front of it is full), The hotel park is particularly useful on Fridays when there is a street market. On the other days it is not convenient (specially when you need to carry luggage) because it requires a bit of walking and climbing stairs. For those days (or when you arrive / leave) it is better to park next to the hotel. If reaching the place guided by GPS (e.g. TomTom) please be aware that some maps have 2 locations for the hotel and often led you to a wrong street. The hotel is the building right next to the church in the main street (so ignore TomTom). From this hotel, located in a very small town (Bouro Santa Maria, about 9 Km from Amares), it is easy to access several natural wonders in Geres Park. It is also easy to visit places like Ponte de Lima, Arcos de Valdevez, Braga and Guimaraes. Very near the hotel there are some (small) supermarkets, cafes, and one restaurant (Cruzeiro, which is quite good). The only negative point is the level of noise at night in the rooms: the windows do not offer any efficient protection and we can hear all cars that pass by. Nevertheless, a very good base to visit Geres.
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Date of stay: August 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a beautifully recovered Monastery, with signature of the renowned Architect Souto Moura: The result is outstanding and one enjoys this marvel in every detail of one's stay. The room is very comfortable and well decorated, the restaurant (the old Monastery's vast kitchen) is extremely well arranged and pleasant. All the building and its outside areas are beautiful and deserve being looked at and enjoyed. And the meals (breakfast and dinner) we took there were all of very high quality. A minor note for the addition of canned fruit to the otherwise very tasty fresh fruit salad served at breakfast: As if there is insufficient variety of good and tasty fresh fruit in Portugal and in the region... The staff was always kind and welcoming and, in at least two cases (one young lady and one gentleman, both in the restaurant) we found them particularly nice and highly professional.
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Date of stay: September 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our stay at the Monastery was a delight from beginning to end. The location is beautiful but the pleasant, friendly though professional attitude of the staff help to make us feel relaxed and comfortable. Having evening drinks in the cloisters was a memorable experience whilst dinner was delicious as was breakfast. And even though it was October the pool was warm enough for an enjoyable swim. We would love to return.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Very disappointing stay in the pousada. On arrival half an hour before the indicated check-in time the room was not ready. We were offered an upgrade for a suite that was 50 euros a night more expensive. Since I arrived sick I immediately wanted a room and we took this one. But it was a big disappointment. The staff made it seem that we were very lucky to stay in this suite (their most beautiful according to say). Unfortunately, the suite was not at all beautiful and outrageously expensive for what you got for it. A hard bed, bathroom with blocked drain (reported but not solved), toilet which does not flush properly. Carpet with stains, loose broken rugs, blinds with holes, windows that cannot be opened, nasty food smells in the hallway. Suite was also located at the very end of all corridors. The hotel was barely full, 32 rooms they said, so why this remote and far too expensive suite. We feel really screwed. Furthermore, the whole accommodation was atmosphereless, uncomfortable and corny / old meuk. Staff were friendly but sometimes too exaggerated, asking every 5 minutes if it's okay is too much and annoying. Furthermore, we found the corridors undisclosed with the closed steel doors, it reminded us of a corridor in a prison. The breakfast was good except for the barely cooked (home baked?) croissants. In a pousada we certainly expected more given the price. Dinner was the next disappointment, a much too big chunk of chewy bacalau with a crust of cornbread that was not crispy. The spinach was good, the potatoes too, albeit a bit too fat. The Vealsteak my husband had was also way too big, so unfortunately a lot of food is thrown away. Please give people the choice of a portion size . The older waiter was a very nice and smooth man! Otherwise we found the service very formal and stiff. Furthermore, we had seen in the photos a romantic setting of dining outside but despite the beautiful weather we ate inside. All in all a very disappointing stay which we will not recommend to anyone. Drive by fast!
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does not reflect pictures. unhospiable, personel did not offer to carry luggage The place was empty except for one other family, the Management made sure to give us the room at the extreme end of the floor, near the elevator ! No light in the corridor - try to find your room at night !Why not closer ???? Rooms are small, taps or faucets not working properly, practically no water... Food at the restaurant was just unacceptable with very little choice. We do not recommend this place. Skip it !
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Date of stay: May 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We only had one night here, but the property is a fascinating mix of abandoned monastery and modern comforts. Our room was a little nondescript, but the bed was super comfortable, and the huge window with a little balcony was a lovely focal point. Maybe it's worth looking into an upgrade to a superior room or suite? The food at the reception for our group was divine, and the dinner was also very good. The staff were quite friendly and helpful, and check-in and check-out were refreshingly speedy. My only wish for this gem is that they invest in some rugs or tapestries to muffle the sounds of a big group at dinner. Or, the terrace is so charming, maybe just have your dinner outside?
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Date of stay: September 2021
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ours was a one-night stay only, and we ate in the restaurant in the evening following a recommendation by our holiday organiser. While the hotel's monastery setting is truly outstanding, and our room comfortable enough and with a beautiful view of the grounds, supper in the restaurant was disappointing. The restaurant staff were unfailingly attentive and polite, but our meals, albeit chosen from a promising, if somewhat pricey, menu, turned out to be less uplifting than the setting in which they were served; acceptable, yes, but not in any way memorable.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a very beautiful pousada. The ancient building has been very tastefully modernised with beautiful interiors and art work. The rooms are very comfortable and we had a well equipped bathroom. Dinner in the restaurant was delicious - a really excellent meal, and served by friendly, helpful staff. The outdoor cotta provided a peaceful space for a pre-dinner drink from the bar. We enjoyed swimming in the pool, which was long enough to be able swim in properly. The hotel had plenty of firebrand spaces that guests can relax in. Highly recommended.
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Date of stay: September 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'll start by mentioning that I was in this hostel maybe 25 years ago. I always had the impression of a magical space, where time stopped! It is from the other world that we can be in the area of the fireplace, or even in the cloisters, with no one around, and we can hear what those secular stones say... It was 25 years ago and still remains today, a unique experience! This year I spent my birthday at your premises... my wife asked if you could make a simple birthday cake. We got a top-quality cake, accompanied by the offer of a bottle of sparkling! 5 stars, because I can't give more! It is these small, large details that make the Pousadas de Portugal a place of quality and sure to have a stay without surprises. I can't help but congratulate the sympathy, cordiality, availability and professionalism of all the staff of this splendid guesthouse; from the reception, to those serving at dinner and breakfast, we all felt part of the monument! Congratulations to everyone! I leave only one suggestion: why not make a protocol with the Church, so that there can be visits to the same, via Pousada? It is a pity we do not have access to this magnificent monument so well restored. Once again my congratulations to the whole team that makes this, for me, the best Pousada of all!”
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Fique na pousada! Respire o ar fa mesma. O silêncio da mesma! A imponência da mesma! Aprenda a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good afternoon. We arrived on February 27th at night. We parked the car in the parking lot outside and went up to the reception. We waited a while because someone was being attended to. But almost immediately we were attended to, shown to our room and paid for our stay. The room was very good with a view of Santa Maria do Bouro. We tested the lights, the TV and the window lock. All good. We left and went for a walk around the surrounding area. We ate something and went back to the Inn and our room. We slept well. In the morning we went to the dining room where we had breakfast, which we really enjoyed, being received and guided with great attention by the staff in the room. We then took a tour of the cloisters and the exterior. It's a shame we haven't visited the church. In short - we liked everything from the friendliness of the staff - reception, bedroom and dining room - to the exceptional atmosphere of the Pousada.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hello. You can take a bus from the Braga Bus Station in direction do Gerês. This bus has a stop right in front of the Pousada.
Yes, we have single rooms available.
Thank you!
Graça Pinto / Unit Supervisor
There are more places to choose from in the Amares area.
PRICE RANGE
$78 - $102 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
pousada de amares - santa maria do bouro hotel amares, pousada de hotel amares
LOCATION
PortugalNorthern PortugalBraga DistrictAmares
NUMBER OF ROOMS
32
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pousada Mosteiro De Amares
Which popular attractions are close to Pousada Mosteiro De Amares?
Nearby attractions include Sao Bento da Porta Aberta (4.1 miles), Santuario de Nossa Senhora da Abadia (1.3 miles), and Agua Montanha Lazer (4.3 miles).
