Pousadas de Portugal

"Pousadas de Portugal" (pron. IPA2|po'zadɐʃ dɨ puɾtugaɫ) is a chain of luxury, traditional or historical hotels in Portugal. Formerly run by the state, they are now run by the Pestana group, which in September 2003 won a public bid for the sale of 37.6% of mother company Enatur and for a 40-year running concession.

The Pousadas were envised and created in the early 1940s by Government Minister António Ferro, also a poet and playwright, who had the idea of creating hotels that were both rustic and genuinely Portuguese. His first Pousada was built in Elvas, in the Alentejo, which would be the first of what Ferro called "«small hotels that look nothing like hotels»". This Pousada is still in use. There are now 44 Pousadas installed in historic buildings.

History

Origins

Created by the Law 31.259 of the 1st of May, 1941, by António Ferro's initiative. The first hotel was inaugurated in 1942, in Elvas, Alentejo, region that has several historical pousadas. Other "Regional Pousadas" were inaugurated, always with a small number of rooms and a special attention to the local gastronomy.

In the 50's, a new designation was added, "Historical Pousadas", these hotels were installed in historical monuments and buildings, castles, convents e monastaries. The first Pousada created under this new designation was Pousada do Castelo in Óbidos.

In 1995 the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Smithsonian Foundation, awarded the Pousadas de Portugal the annual prize for the institutions around the world with an active part in the protection of cultural and environmental heritage for touristic purposes [ [http://www.pousadas.pt/historicalhotels/EN/corporate/about/legacy/ Pousadas History] ] .

Privatization

In 2003, due to the accumulation of negative results for more than a decade [ [http://www.dre-algarve.min-economia.pt/noticias/jornais/2003/010903_P2967.html Enatur Financial Situation] ] , the Portuguese Government led by Durão Barroso decided to privatize the 49% of ENATUR's capital, as well as concede the management of the Pousadas to the winning group.

The winner was the PPG - Pestana Pousadas Group, formed by Pestana Group (59.8%), CGD Group (25%), Oriente Foundation (15%) and more two companies with 0.2% (Viagens Abreu & Portimar). On September 1 2003, the PPG became responsible for the management of the Pousadas hotel chain for a period of 20 years [ [http://www.portugal.gov.pt/Portal/PT/Governos/Governos_Constitucionais/GC15/Ministerios/MF/Comunicacao/Notas_de_Imprensa/20030710_MEF_Com_Privatizacao_Enatur.htm Governo da República Portuguesa nota sobre a privatização da Enatur] ] .

The future

In Portugal, the PPG intends to continue the expansion of this hotel chain . In 2007 it will open the Pousada de Ínfias in Braga. in 2009 it estimates the opening of Pousada do Freixo, Porto and the Pousada de Viseu.

In the World

In 2005, the first Pousada de Portugal outside of Portugal opened in Brazil, in a historic building and fort built by the Portuguese. Although this is by far the biggest hotel in the chain, in Brazil pousada means a cheaper hotel, more like a bed and breakfast, which may lead to confusion.

Under an internationalization optic, the PPG wants to open Pousadas in all the countries were the portuguese have been: Asia (Goa, Macau), Africa (Cape Verde, Mozambique) and new places in Brazil [ [http://www.apavtnet.pt/upload//18-23.pdf Interview with the Pestana Pousadas Group President] ] .

Pousadas Hotel Chain Segmentation

The Pousadas are divided in four main groups, according to their architectural specifity, its surroundings or even its concept:
*"Pousadas Históricas" (Historic Pousadas), located in well preserved yet unspoilt national monuments, such as convents, monasteries, castles or fortresses;
*"Pousadas Históricas Design" (historic design Pousadas), also in monuments, castles, convents, fortresses and palaces that were vastly renovated, sporting artistic and contemporary decoration and facilities;
*"Pousadas Charme" (charm Pousadas), located in areas of romantic, unique atmosphere;
*"Pousadas Natureza" (Nature Pousadas), in natural countryside locations.

Pousadas Historical

(In historical buildings)
#Alvito - Pousada do Castelo de Alvito
#Beja - Pousada de São Francisco
#Belmonte - Pousada do Convento de Belmonte
#Estremoz - Pousada da Rainha Santa Isabel
#Évora - Pousada dos Lóios
#Guimarães - Pousada de Santa Marinha
#Mesão Frio - Pousada do Solar da Rede
#Óbidos - Pousada do Castelo
#Palmela - Pousada do Castelo de Palmela
#Queluz / Lisboa - Pousada D. Maria I
#São Salvador da Bahia/Brasil - Pousada do Convento do Carmo ("First Pousada outside Portugal")
#Setúbal - Pousada de São Filipe
#Tavira - Pousada do Convento da Graça
#Vila Nova de Cerveira - Pousada de D. Dinis
#Vila Pouca da Beira - Pousada do Convento do Desagravo
#Vila Viçosa - Pousada de D. João IV

Historical Design Pousadas

(In historical buildings with modern architectonical elements)
#Alcácer do Sal - Pousada de D. Afonso II
#Amares/Gerês - Pousada de Santa Maria do Bouro
#Angra do Heroísmo/Açores - Pousada do Forte de São Sebastião
#Arraiolos - Pousada de Nossa Senhora da Assunção
#Crato - Pousada Flor da Rosa

Nature Pousadas

(In calm and relaxing places, with characteristics for eco-tourism)
#Caniçada/Gerês - Pousada de São Bento
#Manteigas - Pousada de São Lourenço
#Marão - Pousada de São Gonçalo
#Proença a Nova - Pousada de Amoras
#Ria de Aveiro - Pousada da Ria
#Sagres - Pousada do Infante
#Santa Clara-a-Velha - Pousada de Santa Clara
#Santiago do Cacém - Pousada da Quinta da Ortiga
#Sousel - Pousada de São Miguel
#Torrão - Pousada de Vale do Gaio

Charming Pousadas

(In typical buildings or places)
#Alijó - Pousada do Barão de Forrester
#Almeida - Pousada de Nossa Senhora das Neves
#Bragança - Pousada de São Bartolomeu
#Condeixa-a-Nova - Pousada de Santa Cristina
#Elvas - Pousada de Santa Luzia ("first Pousada of the network")
#Guimarães - Pousada de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira
#Horta/Açores - Pousada do Forte de Santa Cruz
#Marvão - Pousada de Santa Maria
#Ourém/Fátima - Pousada do Conde de Ourém
#São Brás de Alportel - Pousada de São Brás
#Valença do Minho - Pousada de São Teotonio
#Viana do Castelo - Pousada do Monte de Santa Luzia

References

Bibliography

*Pousadas Directory, Ed.Enatur, Lisboa, 2003

ee also

Tourism

External links

* [http://www.pousadas.pt/historicalhotels/EN/corporate/about/welcome Institution Page]
* [http://www.pousadas.pt/historicalhotels/EN/pousadas/ Location and characteristics]
* [http://www.pousada.com.br Pousadas in Brazil]