We have stayed in many lovely hotels and this time we were looking for something special and a bit extra-ordinary. We certainly found it here! We stayed for three nights at the end of August. The house is owned and run by the rather wonderful Tomaz, it was his family's weekend retreat, perfectly placed between Sintra and Lisbon. This amazing house is full of stories - the art of Tomaz's father, his family photos, books, objects, artefacts of a family - they fill every corner and cover the walls and you feel at once welcomed into someone else's house that quickly becomes like your own home. The small details do it - tea and biscuits laid out during the day, and gin & tonics from the 'honesty' bar at cocktail hour. We spent early mornings sitting outside by the plunge pool gazing at the misty hills of Sintra in the distance, and at night watched the sun go down and the stars come out. This place is truly magical. Our suite at the top of the house was roomy and comfortable for the three of us, cooled by breezes from the hills. Downstairs in the morning was a chance to make new friends at the breakfast table - the stories in the house seem to encourage great conversations and camaraderie with other guests. And go for chicken at 'O Lisboa' in the village, a 5-minute walk from the house, it was absolutely delicious. All in all, we loved our stay at Casa da Pinheira. Thank you Tomaz, Magdalena and Celia for your supreme care and generosity. We can't wait to return.