One of the things that my husband I love to do is rent a car (have done in France and Italy) and find accommodations as we travel in areas we love. It has been easy to find places to stay this way, but we are a little anxious about doing this in Portugal. Is it easy to do this in Portugal like it was in Italy and France?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
We spent a bit over a month in Portugal about this time last year and never had a reservation. The economy is in the tank, vacancies all over the place, and they'll drop the price for the night just for the asking. The last long trip through Portugal was in the summer, maybe five years ago, and we never had reservations then either.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
Donna, I traveled there a year ago June and never had a reservation and had no problems and we needed a room for 3. I did not have as much time there as I would have liked and I plan to return. Great destination. Hey Ed... one more of the 'fly by the seat of your pants, spontaneous, flexible soul travelers'!
Posted by
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
127 posts
Donna, Check, on-line, the Pousadas. These are accommodations that have restaurants as well as lodging, often in castle settings. They were established by the government in 1942, to provide hospitality and avoid the stereotype of international hotels. They are located all over Portugal; I stayed at the Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel in Estremoz (Alentejo region) and was very pleased. Enjoy Portugal. jbjr
Posted by
OP
Camano Island, WA, US
5 posts
Thank you! This is great, great news. One thing I forgot to ask is whether or not we will need cash or are credit cards generally ok at small, privately owned places? Also, are the places you stayed easy to find? Will we see them as we drive through the countryside and small villages? I really wanted to stay at the pousadas but they are quite expensive compared to the apts we have found via some of the web sites that manage apt rentals for British owned properties. One of the sites we like is;
www.ownersdirect.co.uk/spain.htm Thanks again, in advance for your response to my questions. With much appreciation.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Small hotels and inns might take a credit card, but would prefer cash (for which they might give a discount). Rooms in homes probably will only take cash.