Solar do Morgado Oliveira Bed & Breakfast, Rua Pereira Charula 16, 5340-278 Macedo de Cavaleiros, Tras-os-Montes, Norte, Portugal
Rua Pereira Charula 16, 5340-278 Macedo de Cavaleiros, Tras-os-Montes
+351 91 2346200, +351 27 8432276
Innkeeper: Luís de Miranda Pereira
http://www.morgado-oliveira.com
Solar do Morgado Oliveira Bed & Breakfast is a true home away from home, located in Macedo de Cavaleiros. It is the perfect home base for touring Tras-os-Montes and enjoying incredible gastronomic experiences, breathtaking landscapes and traditional warm hospitality. Solar do Morgado Oliveira B&B occupies a manor house owned by the same family since the 17th century. The property is entirely restored and has two twin and one double room as well as two suites with central heating, TV set, internet, en-suite bathroom, air conditioner. Guests may also enjoy the extensive garden grounds with outdoor pool or relax in the cosy lounge with TV.
An interview with the innkeeper(s) of Solar do Morgado Oliveira Bed & Breakfast (19th of December 2009)
What is(are) your name(s)?
Luís Manuel de Oliveira de Miranda Pereira
For how long have you been running a B&B?
2 yeats
Please share something about the history of your present bed and breakfast.
This was my grandparents' home, on my father's side, and it was more or less abandoned for almost 40 years. I have received the house after the death of my father and I took the decision to restore it as my home and as a quality B&B, facing, as I was, the moment of retirement of my public functions. I started running it 2 years ago and it has been a challenging and very interesting experience. The manor house has had hundreds of guests coming from everywhere and the great majority is of very interesting people searching for different places and a comfortable and family like atmosphere.
What are the unique characteristics of your B&B?
Solar do Morgado Oliveira Bed & Breakfast is very conveniently located for those looking for a strategic place to base the visit of the Northeast of Portugal. Placed at the centre of a small town, Macedo de Cavaleiros, near from shops and restaurants, the manor, inside its walls, keeps an unexpected isolation and a nice and quiet rural atmosphere. Inside the house we can find comfort, good taste, and mainly a home decorated with family objects, pictures and furniture, some with centuries. The breakfast is served at5 the dinning room's large table trying to honour the breakfasts of my youth tenderly served by my Grandmother. This is one of oldest manors in the region and the oldest in Macedo. On the main door crest is engraved the date 1676. The restoration gave the house the necessary modern comfort without loosing anything of its historic and honourable past.
Based on your guests' opinions, what feature of your B&B has made their stay special?
Our guests have referred until now a very good impression about their stay. The friendly and family atmosphere, the comfort, the decoration, the breakfast and the swimming pool are usual references. At breakfast the home made marmalade, the cheese, the bread are very much appreciated. The general quality of the house and service are generally referred to as very good.
Please describe in short your bed and breakfast and its general services and amenities.
The entire house is shared with the guests with the exception of the owner chambers and technical facilities.
Inside there are the great lounge with chestnut wood ceilings and fire place; the living room with TV and as well a fire place; the smaller living room with a relaxed ambiance; the dinning room with wooden ceilings and its large fire place; the snooker room. Outdoor, the garden with its swimming pool and old olive trees is a nice place to stay in summer time. The house is classified as of municipal interest by the local authorities and recognized as of interest for national tourism by the Government and classified in the category of "Turismo de Habitação" only applicable to manor houses and quality projects. Next door we profit from a nice restaurant with traditional food and at home guests can have coffee, tea, wine and beer, toasts. Light meals are possible at lunch during summer.
How many rooms are offered at your B&B and what is its maximum capacity?
The manor has: Two suites (living room, bedroom and bathroom). One is an annex near the main building; One bedroom with a double bed and two large twin bedrooms. All bedrooms are en-suite, and have TV set. Four of them have air conditioning.
What kinds of rooms do you offer?
Each room is named after the a village in the municipality that has something to do with the owners' family origins and history. Suite "Macedo", on the ground floor has a large twin room and a large living room plus a good bathroom. Suite "Lamalonga" is outside the main building, rustic with stone walls, rooms are a little bit smaller and the bathroom has only shower. Room "Castelãos" is a big twin room with a balcony overlooking the swimming pool. Room "Grijó" is as well a very spacious twin room. They both are on the second floor. Room "Val Benfeito", on the first floor is a smaller room with a double bed. In all rooms the decoration is a mixture of old and new, comfort and well being.
Please describe the in-room facilities for each type of room in your B&B.
Except for suite Lamalonga all bathrooms have bath tubs. Suite Macedo has a batht ub and autonomous shower. Hair drier is available on request. All rooms have central heating and except for Macedo - air-conditioning. A TV set is available in all rooms. Suite Lamalonga also has tea making facilities.
Which room is your personal favorite?
Room "Castelãos" and suite "Macedo" are my favourites. The first because of the light, the space and the balcony, the second because of the generous space, the living room, the feeling of autonomy and isolation one can experience.
What do the room rates include?
The room prices are per night and include breakfast, parking, internet and taxes.
Do you offer any special packages?
We don't have for now any special packages.
What may guests expect from a typical breakfast at your property?
Normally at breakfast guests can expect the traditional milk and coffee, tea, cereals, three kinds of bread, cake, home made marmalade, cheese, ham and smoked ham. When asked and is possible we try accommodate the guests requests.
When and where is breakfast served?
Breakfast is served in the dinning room normally from 8:30 to 11 AM.
Are dietary needs accommodated?
Upon prior request and depending on the existing local response we try to accommodate the guests' requirements.
Do you serve other meals?
At home, guests can have coffee, tea, wine and beer, toasts and snacks. Light meals are possible at lunch during summer.
Are there cooking facilities, which guests may use?
If there is no staff present to provide the requested service, guests may use the kitchen to make a coffee or a tea or to take a drink from the fridge. The use of the microwave is also possible.
Is your bed and breakfast suitable for children?
Children are welcome under the strict supervision and responsibility of their parents.
Do you accept pets?
We have no facilities for pets.
What is your smoking policy?
Inside the house in the areas used by the guests smoking is forbidden. Outside is allowed.
Is there a parking facility on premises or nearby?
There is a parking area on premises.
Is your B&B suitable for disabled guests?
Regrettably the house is not suitable for disabled guests.
What safety precautions are provided at your B&B?
The house has smoke and burglar alarms.
What is your check-in/check-out policy?
Guests are asked to inform about their arrival time if out of the normal. Leaving time is noon.
How can guests check availability and make a reservation?
Phone, email or on the website are the usual ways of booking. Information about a phone contact number is required. A confirmation e-mail is normally used. A pre-deposit can be asked.
What is you cancellation policy?
For the moment I don't have a cancellation policy.
What types of payment do you accept?
Cash and pre wire transfers and, for nationals, checks are the types of payment accepted.
Please tell us what things guests might enjoy visiting, seeing, doing, etc. in your area.
Nature is prodigal of beautiful places in this region. The Azibo Lake and the mountains are special places.
Where is your B&B located and how it may be reached?
GPS N 41º32'16''/ W 6º57'49'' (N 41.53780º/ W 6.96387º)
What would you say to people who have never stayed in a bed and breakfast?
The main idea is that guests are welcomed as friends invited to my home. And at home we live sharing spaces and moments trying to respect the individual space of each other.
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