Casa D Diogo

A pleasant place for a one-night stay, with an adequate room and a small but sufficient breakfast downstairs: cheese, cold cuts, cake, orange juice, and fresh bread. The bed was narrow and very old, and the bathroom had a vintage bathtub. The house feels entirely period-style, like stepping back 50 years, with three antique-furnished bedrooms. The rooms are like a museum, and anyone who loves wall tiles will be in heaven. It's in the village center on a pedestrian street, with no car access. The village is a maze of narrow one-way roads, so getting close is difficult; even in the best case, you'll be about 300 meters away if you find parking. The owner welcomes you personally but isn't there during the day. He has a shop selling locally made rugs 200 meters from the accommodation, where you can find him then. Breakfast tends to be served quite late, and you have to arrange the time with him in Portuguese only, with no English or other languages, which is a real problem for an early departure. The grand staircase to the upstairs bedrooms isn't lit at night, so bring a phone flashlight.

The building once belonged to Misericórdia, and it's right in the center of Arraiolos. Inside is beautiful, almost like a little palace, full of tiles and old objects. The room was very good and comfortable, though the bedrooms are on the first floor. Breakfast felt like a family meal, and Sr Elmano is very friendly.

The room was clean and airy, and breakfast was good, though I would have liked a few healthier choices. The man who welcomed us was kind and friendly, and enjoyed talking about the town. That made the experience much better.

The old wooden floors, furniture, and decor in these dated rooms bring to mind the days of kings and queens. They also stirred up childhood memories for me of old houses belonging to grandparents in Portuguese villages.