Hotel Santos Guarda
A delightful, small, friendly hotel, the Hotel Santos (Book this hotel with Booking.com) is a great place to stay in Guarda. The unique old building incorporates sections of the much older town wall and another, older, building.
The interior has been completely remodeled - one half is on one side of the old town wall, and the other half on the other side, leading to some interesting stair-case configurations. It also means that the lift doesn't go to each landing, so do specify in your reservation request if you are unable to manage stairs.
Rooms and furnishings are all pristine white, new and clean. There are double windows, needed to block the sound of cars on cobblestones at the front, and family life in the lane at the back of the hotel.
Breakfast is a decent spread of fruit, yoghurt, juice, ham, local cheese, rolls, tea and coffee. If you are celiac though, bring your own gluten-free bread or crackers.
It's fascinating to be inside this building and to see how the renovation has incorporated the old town wall. The location is perfect. Two very minor detractions: the wifi did not work in my room but I could sit downstairs to use it, and the shower might well be the smallest I've ever used.
Overall the Hotel Santos is highly recommended!
Guarda itself, or at least the old town, is very small and you can wander around in an hour or so.
There are lovely views over the countryside from strategic locations. The old Jewish quarter has narrow lanes that go back hundreds of years; many houses in the old town are in complete disrepair and lend a sad air to the place, in contrast to the livelier new town outside the old walls.
Within the old town an excellent restaurant with helpful waitresses is the Restaurante A Floresta. The restaurant has a friendly, homely atmosphere and is obviously popular with locals as well as tourists. The food was excellent and plentiful; the waitresses were friendly and helpful - as a coeliac they helped me select dishes I was able to eat, and there were also several desserts available to choose from.
Access - Getting There
Hotel Santos (Book this hotel with Booking.com)
Rua Tenente Valadim
nº 14, 6300-76
Guarda
The accommodation is within easy walking distance of Guarda Cathedral. For those on a tighter budget try the Casa de Se in the main square.
Nicola Reiss
© Portugal Visitor
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