Paço das Maravilhas
Listing Description
In a nutshell
Paço das Maravilhas is an outbuilding of an 18th-century castle in Arcos de Valdevez, northern Portugal. This impressive property with swimming pools is a veritable meeting point for art, peace of mind and nature. In this place steeped in memories and history, you can stay and live at your own pace, eat and explore with the seasons, and create your own memories. Listed as a monument of public interest and rich in countless interesting stories, the castle, which also promotes experiences of local culture, community, nature and its products, has hosted important political meetings as well as extravagant parties. The castle's superb outbuildings offer a wonderful place for vacations and retreats, for a wonderful vacation in Portugal.
The rooms
Bedroom 1 - 21m2 :
Bedroom. The room offers 2 twin beds 100 cm convertible into a double bed. Private bathroom with shower. The room also includes: air conditioning.
Bedroom 2 - 16.5m2 :
Bedroom. The room offers 2 twin beds 90 cm convertible into a double bed. Private bathroom with shower. The room also includes: air conditioning.
Bedroom 3 - 19.7m2 :
Bedroom. The room offers 2 twin beds 100 cm convertible into a double bed. Private bathroom with bathtub. The room also includes: air conditioning.
Bedroom 4 - 17.3m2 :
Bedroom. The room offers 2 twin beds 90 cm convertible into a double bed. Private bathroom with shower. The room also includes: air conditioning.
Bedroom 5 - 17.6m2 :
Bedroom. The room offers 2 twin beds 90 cm convertible into a double bed. Private bathroom with shower. The room also includes: air conditioning.
Bedroom 6 - 15m2 :
Bedroom. The room offers 2 twin beds 90 cm convertible into a double bed. Private bathroom with shower. The room also includes: air conditioning.
Bedroom 7 - 13.3m2 :
Bedroom. The room offers 1 double bed 160 cm. Private bathroom with bathtub. The room also includes: air conditioning.
Bedroom 8 - Studio 1 - 31m2 :
Bedroom. The room offers 2 twin beds 90 cm convertible into a double bed. Private bathroom with shower. The room also includes: air conditioning.
Room 9 - Studio 2 - 35m2 :
Bedroom. The room offers 2 twin beds 90 cm convertible into a double bed. Private bathroom with shower. The room also includes: air conditioning.
Lhe interiors
The property has had several famous owners, such as the Count of Santa Eulália (Portuguese diplomat who sculpted the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which can be found in the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Lúzia, in Viana do Castelo) and Lord Peter Pitt Millward who made the property famous (direct descendant of English Prime Minister William Pitt).
The property consists of a château and its outbuilding (a main house and 2 studios).
You'll stay in the outbuilding and have the opportunity (on request) to visit the manor's main floor and balcony.
The main house of the outbuilding offers seven suites connected to a three-level tower, with a living room (with fireplace and Smart TV), dining room and fully equipped kitchen. The Meia-Lua comprises two studios, each with its own fully-equipped kitchenette.
All rooms and studios are equipped with quality linens, toiletries and individually adjustable air conditioning.
As a family-run property, a range of facilities can be made available to facilitate the stay of little ones (such as cots, high chairs, appropriate cutlery and crockery, etc.).
You'll also appreciate the property's beautiful heated indoor pool (27m) and the new 100 m² yoga area (below the outdoor pool and facing the Lima Valley).
The exteriors
The property offers beautiful, spacious exteriors.
You can enjoy an outdoor saltwater pool (28m), tennis court, gardens, vineyards, orchards and lake.
Note: The villa is a farm with agricultural and poultry production, a rural area with animals where three dogs roam freely.
Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times on the property. The adult is responsible for their supervision (due to the particular characteristics of an 18th-century property and because, in addition to unsupervised pools, there are also reservoirs, lakes, balconies and uneven levels).
Staff & Services
You'll have access to all the property's outdoor spaces, and you'll have the opportunity (on request) to visit the manor's noble floor, as well as its balcony.
The villa also offers guests the possibility of enjoying optional services such as breakfast, chef/cook services, housekeeping service, laundry service, yoga teacher services, massages, tennis lessons, off-site activities (bike tours or rentals, kayak tours or rentals, SUP river tours or rentals, jeep tours, golf sessions, surfing lessons or rentals, kitesurfing lessons or rentals, SUP lessons or rentals, cable wakeboard lessons or rentals, wake surfing by boat)....
Please note that these services are subject to availability.
Situation
Minho is a region in northern Portugal, renowned for its green soils and blue sea. Ponte de Lima, the country's oldest village, is a 15-minute drive away. It boasts Roman architecture and a bridge dating back to the 1st century. Its historic streets are ideal for strolling and sampling local pastries. You can also choose to try kayaking on the Lima River.
The immense Peneda-Gerês National Nature Park, with its mountains, trails and waterfalls, is a 20-minute drive away. This paradise for nature lovers covers 70,290 hectares. It is protected as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
The town of Viana do Castelo and its beautiful beaches are 20 minutes away. Surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and wakeboarding are just some of the popular activities. One of the town's most emblematic landmarks is the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia and its incredible views. The historic center also boasts beautiful, well-preserved streets.
Note: To access the property and explore the wonders of Minho, you'll need a car.
You will be staying in the property's secondary building (Meia-Lua: main house + 2 studios) and not in the manor house (18th-century castle).
