This was a really awesome stay. Everything was looked after and managed really well from the moment I arrived. The location is terrific - just a two minute walk from a lovely little park (complete with callisthenics area to work out) and the beautiful Jardim Do Torel which was a really lovely - and unexpected - addition. It’s a 5 minute walk down into the city, and while the walk back up takes some time getting used to, it really isn’t a big deal. There’s a cafe literally opposite the palace, which is lovely just to be able to roll out and get a cheap coffee/bite. Maria manages the place superbly. I had a couple of issues with the WiFi, but Maria arranged for a new extension router to be installed that same afternoon.
Overall, I was really happy during my 2 month stay. I’m lucky to have met some awesome people who I’d now consider friends, but I guess that’s a roll of the dice. As you’d expect for such a big place (there are maybe 20-30 rooms when fully occupied), you get a real mix of characters. I can be quite reclusive with work etc, but it’s nice to dip in and out of the social stuff too from time to time. The room is a very fair size, so I was more than happy spending hours on end in there during the day working. It also comes with a massive leather swivel chair, which is a huge plus.
Downsides:
Honestly, I don’t have much bad to say. I suppose after 2 months, I was ready for a change of scenery and a more normal way of living. The kitchen is also small, but it worked surprisingly well given how many people were in the place. If everyone cooked (which they didn’t/don’t), it might have been an issue. I cooked twice a day for 2 months, though, and there was very rarely a queue for the stove etc. Everything worked out just fine.
Thanks for a terrific stay!