Hotel Santa Barbara

The owners and staff made our three-night stay at Santa Barbara In Beja wonderful. When we arrived late after a delay, it was cold and pouring rain, but the landlady was waiting for us with a lovely cup of tea. That made everything feel better. The family-run hotel is medium-sized and budget-friendly, in Beja's historic centre on a quiet, characterful street. Our room was simple and spotlessly clean, as was the bathroom. The bed was just right for me, firm mattress and the softest cotton bedding, and there was a warm blanket for the cold weather. My friend's room next door had a larger, refurbished bathroom; mine was smaller but very clean and had everything I needed. In winter, bring slippers or warm socks because the tiled floors get cold. Winters here are short and mild, and properties are heated with air conditioning units, so look for the remote if you're chilly. For a budget hotel, breakfast was better than I expected, with a good buffet. We mentioned that we'd like some vegetables, which aren't very common at breakfast for Portuguese people, and the staff made an effort so some appeared over the next few days. The breads and cakes were wonderful, there was plenty of fresh coffee with hot milk, and a great range of teas. Staff were always available. Historic Beja is very cute. We were on a business trip and didn't have time to visit the natural sites nearby, though we understand there are some. Enjoy them if you come by! Thanks to everyone at Santa Barbara for such a pleasant stay.