Bussaco Palace Hotel

Bussaco Palace Hotel is one of a kind. My family loved everything about the palce, park and experience. The staff all do a great job as well.

If you want to say you stay in a beautiful palace in Portugal then I would recommend this unique opportunity. However, if you don't wish to feel shamed or made to feel oppressed and bad about yourself then I don't recommend it. We visited from Canada and had an issue with booking our toddler son. The check-in person was rude, impatient and accusatory for our mistake. He refused to listen to anything we had to say and made us feel like common thieves trying to snuggle a child in who we were holding at check-in. He overcharged us for the child and then proceeded to reprimand us and make me feel demeaned as a mother. We understand occupancy and occupancy charges, and for a "five star" I would expect more tact and customer service vs personal attacks. The rooms are ok. It is outdated but you are paying for authenticity and the experience. At breakfast the one staff person was incredibly hostile and rude. They ran out of all kinds of food and noone dared to mention it or else she would snap at you and ask if you "did not like the food that was there." Overall we did not have a relaxing time as the ambiance and feel of the place is not filled with positive vibes and joy. Perhaps this is ok for a certain generation and style of traveler but to keep this place alive I think some of the backdoor thinking may need to be refurbished instead of the rooms. I took a star off for breakfast and one for service.

Nice and unique experiences of the building; clean, tall ceiling, windows open towards the garden, fountain and woods; set up a baby cot for us with bed made, and provided an extra bed for our other child without extra charge; staff were friendly... seems under staffed, barely service in the bar, no room service neither