Torre De Maneys Hotel Review: A Bewitching Stay in Óbidos, Portugal

I originally stumbled on Torre De Maneys while searching for historic stays around Portugal on Booking.com. I was happy to find that it was not only well under my budget, but it also had solid reviews and great quality photos.

Arriving just around sunset, I parked in a public lot just outside of Óbidos’ colorful old town. Like all other hotels in the city center, Torre De Maneys does not have its own parking lot as cars aren’t allowed inside the gates of the historic core.

I entered through a small private courtyard near the back of the building. It was filled with lots of greenery and outdoor seating. Hearing nothing except the soft hum of a television from a nearby room, I enjoyed the courtyard’s peace and quiet as the sky changed from blue to purple. I felt like I was entering a spacious family home rather than a boutique hotel.

Right away, I went to my room through an interior hallway at the opposite end of the courtyard. I had an early start ahead of me and wanted to settle in quickly, vowing to explore this new tranquil sanctuary during the daylight hours.

The next morning, I crossed the rest of the hallway, making my way upstairs and over the bridge that I quickly realized was connecting the property’s two buildings. On the other side, I found a terrace that seemed like a hidden oasis in the heart of town, offering the most wonderful views of the quaint village below and the undulating fields in the horizon.

The gentle breeze carried a medley of scents – the earthy aroma of freshly cut grass, the sweet perfume of blooming flowers, and the distant promise of sea salt on the air.

Had I planned an extra day, I would have loved to set up my own little happy hour here in the warm sun, complete with a plate of ripe olives, local conservas, salty crackers, and slices of fresh lemon. A simple, yet enchanting European dream.

Just next to the terrace is Torre De Maney’s most magical room: the two-floor library. I walked out on its upper gallery, mesmerized by the rows of bookshelves that stood even taller than me.

I spent about 20 minutes up there, examining the titles the modern novels and admiring the sturdy leather spines of older ones. Most books where understandably in Portuguese, but I found a few English texts as well!

Just below the upper gallery I passed some time around the library’s plush seating area – reading, perusing old trinkets and examining the hotel’s rather large CD collection. Filled with jewel-toned fabrics and rich textures, there was a cozy warmth there that felt both peaceful and exciting!

In the next room, I found the tower’s main living space, acting as a sort of small overflow from the library. And although tinier, it was no less warm than its predecessor. In fact, in addition to its vibrant hues and various textures, the room was even outfitted with a restored fireplace that I imagine is very useful to guests during Portugal’s winter months!

Torre De Maneys has just five rooms total:

1. Maria Manuel
2. Manuel António
3. Manuel Maria
4. Manuel Amador
5. Manuel Gondim

Since I was traveling solo, I opted for one of the smaller rooms: Manuel Amador, an appropriately sized room with two twin beds and private bathroom.

Finding my room after self check-in, I was excited to discover an oversized metal room key already waiting for me inside the lock on the medieval-style door to my room.

The space was both charming and eclectic with equal parts medieval and modern furnishings. The bathroom, just to the left of the entryway, was the most updated part and full of blue and red glass tiles. It included a modern shower and to my surprise, lots of counter space!

The main room was wonderfully restored, and made me feel as though I had stepped right into a room within the castle from The Princess Bride! The room’s rounded ceiling, dark wood storage and tile floors enthusiastically signaled to the building’s long history.

Just before check-out, I still had one last area to explore: the tower’s kitchen and dining room. Heading down to the ground floor of the main building, I seated myself at a wooden table next to a suit of armor! It was already prepared by the hotel’s staff with a pitcher of fresh orange juice and table settings when I arrived, allowing me an easy and undisturbed dining experience.

The hotel’s buffet spread was quite varied. With a large assortment of breads, cereals, kiwis, strawberries, meats, yogurt and jam, I enjoyed a divine breakfast well worth the value of my stay.

Torre De Maneys surpassed all my expectations as a budget-friendly, historic dream getaway!

The seamless blend of rich medieval charm with modern comforts and warm hospitality made my visit a truly magical and cherished memory that I hope to experience again in the future.