I wanted somewhere suitably elegant to end my daughter’s visit to the Algarve, and they don’t come any more elegant than the Estói Palace. In A palace in warm sunshine, back in November 2014, I suggested that it might make a good venue for afternoon tea. Do you remember it, Paula? Long overdue, I think. The sun was just sliding down the sky when we got there and the terrace looked so inviting.
What a study in opulence this place is. No need to introduce you to azulejos after Monday’s post but I can never resist sharing a few more beauties.
More restoration work had been carried out since my last visit. The small summerhouses were a picture, with their vibrant stained glass and painted walls and ceiling. The grotto was open and my son-in-law, who has a particular interest in ironwork, studied the details with interest.
Enough of admiring our reflection. It’s time to go indoors for refreshment. Truth be told, it really couldn’t compete with the decor.
Does that window look familiar, Becky? You’ll be happily ensconced in your Algarve life by now. I’ve taken liberties with your Past meets Present. I’m sorry! You did such a nice job on the Palacio not long ago. Paula- I thought you might like an update for Traces of the Past?
Oddly enough, the waiter said they only had cheesecake. Ah well! Cake’s cake, isn’t it? There wasn’t a crumb left when son-in-law had finished.
restlessjo 
With such opulent and lavish surroundings I expected your cake to be a work of art too. It looks quite tasty though. 🙂
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It was a nice bit of Madeira, Carol, but why it was described as ‘cheesecake is beyond me. 🙂 🙂
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Yes, that is a bit odd but as long as it was tasty the name is irrelevant. 🙂
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Very beautiful. Interesting what you say about it in the comments about it as a hotel or venue for eating…it’s often the same in Spain and England. Stunning places to visit, but best to dine and stay somewhere else. Absolutely gorgeous to visit though by the look of your photos,
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The pousadas are usually a bit expensive but well run, Tanya. The one in Tavira has a good restaurant for special occasions. I ate at Estoi with Mick for his 60th and he said ‘never again’. He even wrote a letter of complaint- not like him!- and received no reply. It’s a shame because the guys in reception seemed eager to please, and it deserves better.
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What a lovely spot to wander, Jo, and good company makes it all the better! (And more tiles, too!) Thanks for letting me peek in.
janet
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I knew my daughter would love it, Janet, as she loves Baroque and ornate. And Steampunk! She’s an odd mix, but very lovable. 🙂 🙂
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It looks a very elegant place to enjoy afternoon tea Jo. I’m so pleased you all enjoyed yourselves.
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I really wanted my daughter to see it, Marion. It was only her second visit to the Algarve but I knew she’d love it. 🙂 🙂
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I’m sure she did Jo. Time with our children whatever age they are is so precious!
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Beautiful Joanne, another one for the wish list. I’ll probably be in the Algarve in April, but probably no more than 2 or 3 days, so not much time for sightseeing. Those ceilings are awesome, and of course the tiles too.
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The palace and gardens are beautiful, Sami. Not a great place to stay because food and service aren’t as good as they should be. The staff are all very pleasant though.
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That really is opulent! I bet Lisa loved it. As for the cheesecake it looks a bit solid for me.
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I think it was heavily disguised as Madeira, Jude. 🙂 🙂 There is only the grand salon that looks like that, but it’s more than enough. The rest is svelte and modern or dark wood.
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Could have sworn you said they only had cheesecake. Now I like cheesecake, but find Madeira usually too dry.
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They did say they only had cheesecake, Jude, but this was what arrived. 😦 Very nice, as Madeira goes, but Leo ate most of mine. We’d already been out to lunch because we were avoiding sunlight that day, after his migraine. Doesn’t impair his appetite. 🙂
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What a magnificent palace, and a perfect place to end your visit with Lisa. Your photos are wonderful, especially that first one in the post; there are too many beautiful ones to count. Thanks for sharing this, Jo. 🙂
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It was an excellent place to end up, Cathy. Leo had a migraine all the previous day and we needed to find shade. We spent a couple of hours at a lovely restaurant for lunch and then on to the palace. 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin!
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Beautifully depicted Jo. Have a great Thursday!
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Thanks very much, darlin! 🙂 🙂 Just waiting for a friend, to go out for her celebratory birthday lunch. Something to cheer this grim, grey old day. 🙂
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Elegant indeed.
These blues never get you down.
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They don’t! 🙂 🙂 I’m looking at the grimmest grey right now and clutching a cup of coffee. Roll on my return to the Algarve!
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Beautiful! What great detail here, Jo. And I can never resist the azulejos (or cake, for that matter)
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It’s such a lovely spot, Debs, and they’ve managed not to spoil it too much in turning it into a hotel. It was woebegone, but beautiful, before. 🙂 🙂
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What a gorgeous ornate place to visit. Should be on everyone’s bucket list! X
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It’s a pousada and you can actually stay there, hon, but I would probably prefer to stay in the one in Tavira. Not quite so gorgeous, but still a lovely restoration job. 🙂 🙂
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Gorgeous photos and place. From the ceiling cupids, frescos, fountains, iron work, views, skies and reflective pools – all perfect. Pity they didn’t have cake.
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and I forgot to mention those stunning tiles…..
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Well, only Madeira cake, Irene, but I wasn’t complaining. I do love the place. 🙂 🙂 Thank you!
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You certainly showed your daughter a good time, Jo. Fantastic photographs!
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Well, we didn’t book her into into the hotel, Jill. It doesn’t cost much to look (and cake’s always allowed, isn’t it? 🙂 ) Thanks, darlin!
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What a beautiful old place!
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It’s one of the loveliest places in the Algarve that I know, Sue, though I might not recommend it as a hotel. 🙂 🙂
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Too expensive? But OK for afternoon tea?
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I think you can probably get a good deal as it’s a bit out of the way and you need to drive there, but the service and food really isn’t as good as it should be, in our experience. I may be doing them an injustice because the staff all seem very pleasant. 😦
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Oh, OK…..anyway, unlikely I would get there!
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Jude is plotting early October. 🙂 But not the Palacio.
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Ooooh, that’s an idea!
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Wow, what a fabulous place! The interior decor is stunning and I love the tiled flamingo ‘picture’ outside – it would look great in my bathroom! 🙂
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They might sell it to you, Eunice, but I doubt it 🙂 🙂
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Jo,, what a wonderful and most elegant visit for you all!! The tiles are mesmerising and I could stare at them for hours but once inside, wow!! So many wonders to see…I would eat very slowly and soak up the luxurious location. 😀
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I really wasn’t hungry, Annika. My son-in-law was very light senstive after a day of migraine so we spent much of our last one in the shade of a very nice restaurant I know. But I really wanted Lisa to see the Palacio. 🙂 🙂
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Looks lovely Jo, more tiles I see…
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Just the odd one, Andrew. 🙂 🙂 I was going to hold this back for a week or two but then Paula posted Traces of the Past and…. in for a penny, in for a pound. 🙂
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Stunning visit! Thank you, Jo!
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Happy to share and glad you liked it. 🙂 🙂
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Opulence a-go-go 😍 from the pink, cherub-filled ceiling all the way to the cake! What a way to end a wonderful family visit.
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Just a little over the top, Lisa, but the serious embellishments are confined to the great hall. The rest is ‘simple’ dark wood and very modern. You can imagine- my Lisa loved it. And then… the airport. 🙂 🙂
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I fall in love with these blue tiles… So beautiful. Thank you dear Johanna, Love, nia
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They are, Nia! Did you see my post on the Azulejo Museum? You would love it! Thanks so much for your company, darlin. 🙂 🙂 Hope things are well with you?
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