4 stars,  54 Rooms
		Centrum
Rua António Augusto Gonçalves,  3041-901 Coimbra Coimbra, Portugal.

“Quinta das Lágrimas” is not just a refined ‘Hotel de Charme’. Besides its comfortable rooms, there is a past rich in history and a medieval legend of love. It was here, in the XIV century, that the forbidden love of Prince D. Pedro and a beautiful Galician damsel called Inês de Castro was dramatically played out. According to the legend, it was in “Quinta das Lágrimas” that Inês cried for the last time, while being pierced by the daggers of the three noblemen who had been ordered to kill her, by D. Afonso IV, King of Portugal. Her blood still stains the stones of the spring which sprang from her tears.
The love of Pedro and Inês, which has survived through the centuries in the works of authors such as Camões, Victor Hugo and Ezra Pound, is today livelier than ever in “Quinta das Lágrimas”.

A HOUSE WITH SOUL

The environment, the atmosphere and the service at Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas, all recreate the romanticism of past centuries, while offering all modern forms of comfort. Individually decorated spacious rooms, with direct access to the garden, provide an atmosphere of privacy. The sitting rooms, balcony and the Hotel library are both striking and inviting, providing perfect retiring places for reading and conversation. Throughout the House, there are signs of the illustrious visitors who have passed through, seeking memories of Pedro and Inês. Among them the Duke of Wellington, who spent some time here during the Napoleonic invasions, the Emperor of Brazil and the Kings D. Miguel I and D. Carlos of Portugal. The hospitality with which these personalities were received in the past is the same which the Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas shows to its guests today.

OASIS OF PEACE

“Quinta das Lágrimas” is an oasis of peace and tranquility in the Centre of Coimbra. Its 20 acres of gardens, enriched with rare and exotic species of trees, form a botanic museum, which protects the guests from the outside world. The city, with all its artistic treasures to be explored, opens up before the gates of the Quinta. Coimbra, one of the most historic cities in the country, formerly the capital of Portugal, has one of the oldest Universities in the world. It is called the“Museum City” because of the wealth of its architectural and cultural heritage. It is the city of poets, scholars and students, and of Fado, that nostalgic music which is a mirror of Portugal. On the outskirts of Coimbra are the Roman ruins of Conimbriga, which show marked evidence of the Roman presence in the Iberian Peninsula. Less than 40 km away there are white sand beaches, semi-untouched mountains, natural reserves ( the marshes of Arzila and Montemor-o-Velho, Margaraça Forest, etc.), castles and convents.

FLAVOURS

The cuisine of “Quinta das Lágrimas” is inspired by the manor´s old recipes, in order to create imaginative and tasty dishes. It is based on fresh ingredients harvested in the region which are transformed into masterpieces of traditional Portuguese gastronomy, with the knowledge and imagination of our chefs. To complement this, there is a wine list composed of more than 300 vintages of the best wines from Portuguese vineyards, and also a few small rarities for real connoisseurs.

LEISURE

From July/99 onwards the “Quinta das Lágrimas Hotel” will have a golf academy available, equipped with a Driving Range and a 9 hole course (Pitch and Putt). Moments of leisure can also be enjoyed in the swimming pool, on walks through the gardens, or in the tranquil and relaxing reading environment of the Library.

THE RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX GUARANTEE

The “Quinta das Lágrimas Hotel” is a member of the Relais & Châteaux chain, which brings together the most beautiful, independent “hotels de charme” in the world. A stay at Quinta das Lágrimas is an opportunity to enjoy the art de vivre, a combination of refinement and seduction, of tradition and personality. All due respect is given to the five principles of Relais & Châteaux: Character; Charm; Calm; Cuisine and Courtesy.