Various hotels have a bizarre history or quirky background, but how many do you know that started as sanatoriums? That's the origin story of Pousada da Serra da Estrela, a renowned hotel at the edge of the Serra da Estrela Mountain ranges.
Perched at an altitude of 1200 meters, Pousada da Serra da Estrela overlooks Covilhã, the only city in Portugal that snows. It began as a sanatorium, where doctors primarily relied on natural healing to treat tuberculosis patients.
Today, Pousada da Serra da Estrela welcomes visitors, both residents and tourists from around the globe, establishing itself as one of the most unique Pestana Group’s hotels. But how did it get here, and how long did it take to become a deluxe hotel?
Turbulent History of Pousada da Serra da Estrela
Tuberculosis ravaged Europe throughout the 19th century, and Portugal was no exception to that fate. The desperation led to forming movements against the disease, including the National Assistance to Tuberculous and the National League Against Tuberculosis, both founded in 1899.
The hospitalization of patients was among their paramount measures, resulting in the creation of several sanatoriums. Sousa Martins, the leader of the Geographic Society, was the first to suggest building a sanatorium in the Serra da Estrela.
The Journey from a Pavilion to the Finest Sanatorium in the Region
Thanks to Martins, the mountain got its first pavilion in 1881, equipped with 54 rooms tailored to accommodate tuberculosis patients. However, the needs increased in the early 20th century, leading to the development of a hospital for tuberculous railway workers from the South and Southeast.
That was the starting point of the imposing building that would eventually become one of the symbols of Covilhã, known as Penhas da Saúde Sanatorium. Inaugurated in 1944, the facility quickly turned into the best sanatorium in the Iberian Peninsula.
That status faded after the government acquired the building in 1954 and integrated it into the National Tuberculosis Assistance Institute (IANT). It served as a sanatorium for lower-class patients until 1970 when it closed due to the decline of sanatoriums.
Pousada da Serra da Estrela's Modern Era
The National Tourism Company took the reins of the building in 1988, intending to convert it into a lush hotel, a plan that never materialized. During its abandonment chapter, this sanatorium started attracting amateur photographers due to being high in the mountains and resembling a haunted place. Locals and students would climb to admire the views, share kisses, or tell scary stories that are now nostalgic memories.
Only in 2004 did the architect Eduardo Souto de Moura restore the sanatorium into a historic inn, maintaining the facade and original colors while introducing modern amenities.
The Pousada da Serra da Estrela hotel finally opened in April 2014, after a three-year, €19.5-million-euro rehabilitation under Turistrela's ownership.
The Architect Behind Pousada da Serra da Estrela's Design
The innovative Portuguese architect Cottinelli Telmo is the architect who designed Pousada da Serra da Estrela, his ultimate eclectic creation. Being the one who envisioned the impressive Monument of the Discoveries in Lisbon, it's no wonder Telmo imagined the sanatorium as a mesmerizing mountain hotel.
Telmo's goal was to create a facility that defies the disease's stigma, blends with the nature park's surroundings, and doesn't look eerie. As a result, his design doesn't have a purely functional or hygienic approach, contributing to the hotel's picturesque aesthetic.
However, the building had to be comfortable and pleasant, explaining why the building exceeded its original capacity. Telmo ensured the sanatorium could host 170 patients, creating wings for different classes and a spacious facade. These efforts helped create a sanatorium that merges with the luscious local terrain and topography while maintaining a sense of grandeur and sophistication.
A Poetic Hotel with Unrivaled Charm
The tumultuous chapters of its history, including destigmatizing tuberculosis and periods of abandonment, add to Pousada da Serra Estrela's poetic allure. However, it wasn't until Eduardo Souto de Moura revitalized the building and the Pestana Group finally transformed it into a hotel that it became a sought-after tourist destination.
Today, Pousada da Serra da Estrela has 92 rooms, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a spa, a sauna, a Turkish bath, a Kids club, a gym, and relaxation areas. Since 2020, TripAdvisor users have consistently voted it as one of the top family hotels in Portugal on multiple occasions.
Above everything, Pousada da Serra da Estrela is a positive example of environmental consciousness. As an adaptive reuse project that respects its architectural heritage and connects guests with nature, this hotel promotes sustainable tourism and thoughtful preservation.