In Sintra, the oldest hotel on the Iberian Peninsula celebrates 260 years with books, “Menu Queirosiano” and wine tasting
Legend has it that the British poet Lord Byron wrote, with a diamond ring on the glass of one of the hotel windows, the first sentences of the work “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage”. The Portuguese writer Eça de Queirós also chose Lawrence’s to spend some time there, taking advantage of the landscapes of Sintra as inspiration. “He even mentions in the book – “Os Maias” – the cod he ate here”, recalls Glauco Mansur, who since 2018 has managed, with his wife Susana, the iconic hotel unit, which opened its doors in 1764.
Next Saturday, October 26th, Lawrence’s Hotel celebrates 260 years and marks the date with events evocative of the history associated with what is considered the oldest hotel on the Iberian Peninsula. The “Tour Sintra de Eça” tour starts at 11am and ends with a “Queirosian lunch”, inspired by the works of the famous Portuguese writer, and which includes “Bacalhau à Alencar”, a dish mentioned in the work “Os Maias”. Reservation is mandatory (Tel. 219105500) and the complete program costs €85.
In addition to the aforementioned cod, which is an option along with the “Partridge Empada” as the main dish, the “Menu Queirosiano” also consists of “Peixinhos-da-horta”, as a starter, and “Leite-creme Bento da Maia “as dessert works”, explains Susana Mansur.
The restaurant serves a Queiroz menu that includes “Bacalhau à Alencar”, mentioned in the work “Os Maias”, by Eça de Queiroz
In honor of the literary tradition of Lawrence’s Hotel, between 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm, on October 26th, there will be a Book Fair, with free entry, in which a conversation with the author Rafael Gallo, winner of the José Saramago award. Alongside the Book Fair, visitors are also invited to discover a selection of wines prepared by the wine cellar Wine 66. The tastings are commented and include three (€7) or five (€10) “artisan wines” from the various national producing regions and presented by “colors”, including whites, reds, Orange, rosés and sparkling wine.
Lawrence family at the hotel entrance
“Modernize without losing the essence”
Since 2018, Lawrence’s Hotel has been undergoing some renovations, but the concern to maintain English tradition, romanticism and literary legacy guides the new managers in each change. “What enchanted us was that it was a very special place. It is the oldest hotel on the Iberian Peninsula. We are modernizing what is meant to be modernized, but without losing the essence”, says Glauco, who has been coming to Portugal for over 30 years. In love with Sintra, when Susana’s father bought the hotel, he ended up moving from Brazil to Portugal. “It’s a business of passion”, he says, revealing that for 2024 their project is to create an exhibition of old photos and records of stories and passages of the most diverse figures at the hotel. “The objective is to almost become a museum hotel so that this story is always being told by the hotel itself.”
Monte da Lua Suite
The 16 rooms are mostly named after literary authors, such as William Beckford or Hans Christian Andersen, who also passed through here. The effort to recover the atmosphere of the time, when Lawrence’s was a meeting point for artists and writers, is evident in several decorative and furniture items that were rescued from auctions and antique shops. “Several pieces were sold at auction in the sixties and we are trying to recover period styles little by little”, explains Glauco, revealing that some clients who were “very involved in the hotel”, sent a complete collection of Lord Byron, who had been there for more 100 years in the family.
Afternoon tea follows the English tradition and is available by reservation
Claudia Regina Pereira
Cocktails and afternoon tea
The hotel hosts occasional meetings of a Sintra book club and a small library, where books are available for exchange between guests. “To this day, some authors still stay here for long periods of time to finish their works. The last one was a Colombian author who stayed for two months”, says Susana. Guests and visitors can also enjoy a small bar, open to the street, with cocktails and snacks, including the “Cod Burger”, and a massage room, available by appointment.
As per English tradition, “Afternoon Tea” is served at Lawrence’s Hotel (a full course costs €42.50), with sandwiches, scones and a Portuguese twist on traditional Sintra sweets. It can be taken in one of the fireside rooms, in the library or, for larger groups, in the restaurant. “The objective is to create the feeling that you are in a home”, says Glauco.
Sala Verde do Lawrence’s Hotel
Receiving since 1764
Classically decorated with antique wooden furniture and British-style checkered fabrics, the Lawrence’s Hotel (Rua Consigliéri Pedroso, 38-40 Sintra. Tel. 219105500) offers a peaceful environment that invites you to linger with a book by the fireplace, or chat in one of the several rooms hidden among the various nooks and terraces. It offers 16 rooms and suites, with four-poster beds, wooden ceilings and fireplaces, including single rooms, double rooms and suites (between €160 and €310), with views of the chimneys of the Pena Palace, Bister Palace, Castelo dos Mouros and Quinta do Relógio, which can be enjoyed from the balconies or the windows next to which desks invite you to do like other illustrious guests who found inspiration here to write their respective famous literary works.
Quarto William Beckford
