Quinta do Scoto

Stayed last Feb with my wife and confirm looking forward to return with the rest of the family. Tony and Penny should dedicate in showing other Hotels on how a good job is done. best rgds Juan Pablo & Rosi Algeciras Spain

The Ross family – Penny, Tony, Charlotte and Izzy -- have an unaffected flair for making you feel like you’re a special guest from the moment you arrive. Other comments about the spaciousness and comfort of the rooms reflect our experience as well. Indeed, our sleeping room was larger than our living room at home! While many visitors to Portugal seem to lament the uncomfortable beds they encounter, ours was on a par with our expensive mattress at home. The bathroom’s amenities (loved the oversize shower head that really gives you a soaking) were well thought out. Even though we were there during a cooler period, the grounds were lovely and inviting. While we did not try it, Tony assured that the beautiful pool was comfortably swimmable even at that time of year. Breakfasts were wonderful treats, enhanced by wonderful conversations and guidance on planning each day's activities. Tony and Penny introduced us to the delightful wines of the Alentejano region, which have now become regular pours in our home. The walks to the local train station and the nearby restaurants, were only mini-adventures, but with frequent, fast service to Lisbon and to Sintra in the case of the former, and excellent, inexpensive food and wines in the case of the latter. On the weekend, they willingly drove us to the larger local station where rail service was more frequent. With their encouragement, we spent wonderful days in Sintra and Obidos, which we might not have attempted had we based in Lisbon. What they are undertaking in the restoration of the property is awesome. Ask them to give you an oral history of their undertaking. It will tell you so much about who these wonderful people are, and why their love and passion for the place shows through in your experience of them and of their adopted home. If you’re like us, you’ll leave with the feeling that you’ve made new, lasting friends who you hope you’ll have the privilege of seeing again very soon.

Myself and my wife have travelled extensively and stayed in many hotels/guest houses in Europe and further away, nothing however compares to Quinta do Scoto. Where to start...well the quinta is set in a quiet part of the town, away from tourism yet still close to some excellent restaurants and easy access to the main roads (loads to do in this part of the country, make sure you hire a car but not through thrifty!!!). It is around 30 minutes drive from Lisbon airport but a world away from the city. The secure grounds are extensive and are patrolled by chickens and a friendly dog, Izzy. The quinta is also home to three ponies which live in a field within the grounds. Outside the rooms there is a well maintained swimming pool, a BBQ and sunbeds - unfortunately didn't get chance to get in the pool but had the weather been a bit warmer you'd have difficulty getting me out!! The rooms are quite simply fantastic - exceptionally spacious, tastefully decorated and equipped with everything you'd need and also what you don't expect from typical guest accomadation; a bowl of fruit, a well stocked fridge and a bottle of wine!!! The breakfasts (in the original part of the amazing house) are spot-on and just right to set you up for the day. If you're lucky you might get one of the freshly squeezed eggs from one of the guard chickens if not, you'll have to start your day on freshly squeezed orange juice, freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, cereals, cured meats, yoghurt, filter coffee or tea. Finally, Tony, Penny and their daughter Charlotte are the perfect hosts and will ensure you have a great time at the quinta. They have exceptional knowledge of the area, what to see, what to do and where to eat - you do not get this from the more commercial hotels and is yet another of the many reasons we'll be back and why I'd not hesitate to recommend this place for you to stay.

As promised, we returned for our second stay at Quinta do Scoto. The Quinta was as lovely as ever, even in the rain and colder weather. Despite the temperatures the large luxury rooms were comfortably heated. Each suite is beautifully decorated with antiques. There is a small fridge with complementary beverages and there are coffee and tea making facilities. The beds are very comfortable and the area is really quiet. No noise apart from the occasional barking dog in the distance. The bathrooms are large and equipped with his- and her- sinks, underfloor heating, towel heater, a separate shower and a large bathtub. We stayed in the Marquis de Pombal suite that has a separate bedroom, which meant my husband and I could enjoy the bottle of complimentary wine while the kids were in bed in the other room. All rooms have wireless internet. Breakfast is delicious from the fresh baked Portuguese bread, the meat and cheeses, fresh fruit to the hot chocolate for the children. Tony and Penny go out of their way to make your stay as comfortable as possible. The children loved helping to feed the chickens, guinea pigs, horses etc. They would go and explore the grounds for hours and still did not want to come inside. The swimming pool is beautiful and there are plenty of deck chairs with nice thick cushions. Plenty of pool toys as well. There are pool towels in each room. Too bad the weather did not cooperate the week we were there! Their Portuguese waterdog Izzie is a lovely friendly dog. The children loved her and she would always come to greet us, happily wagging her tail. The Quinta feels like a home away from home and is the place to completely relax!

Visited Tony & Penny's beautiful hotel for the 1st time in October with a group of fab fun bus friends and our stay was fantastic, the hospitality, food, rooms, location, everything I would have wished for and more. What can I say but absolutely fantastic, I cannot wait to go back in 2010 and when I get married I will be having my hen party at Quinta do Scoto. Wakefield, West Yorkshire

In every way, this bed and breakfast offers a lot more than I expected from moderately-priced accommodation. Our lodgings were in the Annex which comprised of a large double bed room with an adjoining Twin. On the other side of the double bed room was a smaller room with a table, chairs and complementary bottle of wine, a mini fridge stocked with Beer and Soft drinks and a huge antique wardrobe. The bathroom is the next room which incorporates a large shower and a enormous bath that was originally the farms wine press (Towels and toiletries were plentiful). From the outside door of the room were views of the Quintas extensive grounds and orchard (This also leads to the pool area). On the other side of the bedroom are patio doors leading to the courtyard. Both of our rooms were tastefully furnished with Antique furniture and pictures. Hairdryers, a ceiling fan and reading materials were provided too. In addition beach towels and Irons could be provided on request. The B&B is situated a 5 minute walk from the main line station in the town of Melaças 12 miles from Lisbon (approx a 20 min ride). The journey from Lisbon is very straightforward and the ticket machines in both directions have English screens. Guests are encouraged to explore the historic house which dates back to 1746 and has many original features, Penny and Tony will gladly show you the points of interest and tell you their restoration stories. Close to the B&B are a small number of good restaurants and a short walk away is a local supermarket if you wish to stock up on the cheep wines. Lisbon has many things to keep the tourist occupied and I would defiantly recommend a visit to the Saturday flea market in the old part of the town. Many of the tourist attractions can be found in the handbooks that are in each room, there was also a library of books and leaflets on the local sites and sounds to be found in the breakfast room.

The perfect place for a Costa Lisboa Holiday! The beautiful en spacious rooms, the large gardens and super swimming pool and the fantastic hosting by Tony and Penny made our holiday the best one we ever had!

We have to be honest, after we'd booked our second trip to Quinta do Scoto it did briefly cross our minds that disappointment could follow. We have a rule you see,to never go back. Life's too short, the world's a big place and things are never quite as perfect as you remember them are they? Happily for us, Quinta do Scoto was. Tony, Penny and Charlotte were welcoming and friendly, our room beautifully furnished and spacious and breakfast guaranteed to make you eat more than you intented!! All just as we remembered. Phew! We chose to use public transport rather than hire a car and during our four day stay easily visited Lisbon,Sintra,Cascais and Obidos. Obviously, there are loads of places to eat in Lisbon and Sintra but we chose to eat in one of the restaurants within walking disatance of the Quinta. Lots of choice,huge portions and very reasonable. Quinta do Scoto is a special place and we can honestly say that for us a third visit is not out of the question!

This is more than a bed and breakfast venue - Penny & Tony make you part of your family and nothing is too much trouble for them. Rounding up the chickens before we went for dinner was a hilarious event and I managed to grab two at once much to Tony's surprise. The rooms are as good as yo uwould expect in a 5 star hotel. Highly recommended.