We arrived with great anticipation of what this grand castle would have to offer only to have our enthusiasm dashed once we checked in. Although it is palatial, it’s also very tired and worn. The gardens are weedy and need tending, wallpaper is peeling off the walls, carpets are threadbare and the draperies need a good shaking out! Not to mention that the only things to do up there are hike in the woods (which is lovely) or do the stations of the cross in the hills surrounding the palace. The building is magnificent but needs major attention. On the other hand, the restaurant was excellent. After reading reviews I was expecting to be disappointed but we weren’t disappointed at all. The food was beautifully presented and excellent tasting with excellent service. And breakfast was also very good, on par with what we have eaten all over Portugal.
We were able to cancel our second night and moved on to a different location. I would not recommend this location even though it looks so magnificent. The pictures don’t show the real deal.

Starting with the basic amenities and standards this “palace” fails on all accounts. This place is a scam given the price.

The rooms and hallways are in poor state of disrepair and cleanliness to the point of neglect. The carpets have not been shampooed or replaced in 20+ years. The rooms reek of dust which tingles the back of your throat when you breathe. If you have a dust allergy, you won’t be able to get through the night.
The walls are peeling, have visible cracks in them. The bed board is sticky with oily residue from the heads of the people before you. The chairs in the rooms dirty and worn out.
I was more disgusted being here than some cheap motels.

Due to the dust and heat (there is also no air conditioning in most rooms) sleeping is difficult. The bed is hard with its springs clearly felt as you turn. The pillows cheap, flat and small. The blanket feels like it was taken from a WW2 emergency stockpile.

I asked the staff about the poor state of the hotel. They blamed the government for not letting them fix things. Unless the government also prevents them from using anything but the cheapest sandpaper grade toilet paper, I think the owners are just being cheap and milking this hotel for all it has till it falls apart.

The whole experience is of sadness and a missed opportunity. I felt cheated.
It’s sad because it’s a beautiful palace which holds amazing potential, but it is in such state of neglect that I don’t think people should be allowed to stay here. Especially stark is the gap between the price and the image this place portrays.

Come, admire the common areas, and go elsewhere to spend the night till they get to their senses or price it accordingly.

First the positives.
Beautiful palace. Interesting history and grounds.
Fabulous dinner. Beautiful presentation.
Negatives- gave us a tiny room below what we booked. Said there was no alternative, although many people came in after us. We did change rooms to a slightly larger room with better windows. However, the heat doesn’t work, it has torn wall paper and peeling paint, etc. And the people above us sound like elephants.