This was our first stay in a Pousada and a great way to begin. We were given an excellent ground floor room. The building is the original guard's quarters for the Palace, which is across the road. A visit there is well worthwhile to see both the Palace interior and the gardens. At least one dinner shlould be enjoyed in the restaurant there. Although the immeditae suburban environment is not too grand the Pousada is well-place for visiting Lisbon and also Sintra.

Having stayed in an excellent pousada in Tavira we thought all pousada's would be of a similar standard, sadly they are not. Despite the grand name and being formerly part of the palace this pousada is in need of a refurbishment and the staff give the minimum required, in contrast to Tavira where you are greeted with a big smile and a genuine willingness to help. The room was nice, a good size with satellite TV and a well equipped clean bathroom. In contrast to our last pousada breakfast was served in a sterile room, buffet style. Plenty of variety but the attention to detail just wasn't there, the one and only member of staff gave the impression that we were an inconvenience and should be ushered along as quickly as possible. Breakfast became an amusing ordeal rather than a pleasant start to the day. A 15 minute walk from the railway station to Lisbon through 'the real' Portugal I wouldn't recommend this as a springboard for a few days in Lisbon, stay in the centre. If you do stay and are looking for an evening meal, turn left out of the hotel and there are two very nice good priced restaurants (closed Monday's). The palace across the road ell worth a visit but the highlight of the area is Sintra and Pena Palace, don't miss this wonderful place with all its beautiful historic sites. Needless to say like the one before silly charges are made for internet access in the hotel and despite what the hotel staff will tell you all of the local cafe's and restaurants will give you free internet. This hotel needs grabbing by the scruff of the neck, the staff giving a good talking to and a refurbishment to put it on a par with Tavira.

This was the best Pousada we stayed in out of three on our recent Portugese trip . We had booked a suite which was excellent value considering the size and fittings , good view over to the main palace buildings , on arrival we received a complimentary bottle of Sparkling wine, a plate of fresh fruit each and a selection of pastries which gave a very good first impression . The staff were friendly and helpful and the location besides the palace very convenient . We had a hire car which we collected at the airport ( free parking at the hotel ) and the drive was only around20-30 minutes to the hotel . For travelling into Lisbon we took the train ( approx 10 minute walk to Queluz station ) into Rossio station in Lisbon centre, train takes 15-20 minutes and runes every 10-15 minutes , train fare was included in our Lisboa card which we bought at the airport and is good value as it includes admission to most of the major sites as well as use of public transoprt including train to Sintra , Belem and Cascais - all worth a visit .

The Pousada is excellent. Friendly staff provide a warm welcome, and couldn't be more helpful. Our comfortable room (great beds), at the end of the top floor corridor, provided good views to the army barracks at the rear, and a sideways view of the Dona Maria Pavillion from the other side (two walls had windows). The windows had original features such as the shutters, and the drainage channels for condensation from the window panes were still evident. A nice touch. Breakfast was plentiful and of good quality, including the custard tarts.

Dinner in the Cozinha Velha was a marvellous experience. The menu offered a good selection of game dishes, the hare and bean casserole being highly recommended, as was the bacalhau with gazpachio, a very clever idea. Remember to order veg / salad searately. Staff were attentive, but not intrusive. The wine selection was very good and not overly expensive. The location could not be faulted.

Queluz town, outwith Palace Square, is not particularly atrractive, and the walk from the station to the Pousada may un-nerve some after dark, so the usual precautions should be taken (i.e. try not to look too much like a tourist). During the day it's fine. Particularly recommended is the cafe (Casa dos Pasteis) at the station end (north west corner) of the park / square which opens up after leaving Palace Square (can't remember it's name). The custard tarts here really are very good, and the cake selection in general is enormous. Worth a pit-stop to / from the station.

Whilst the Pousada building is very well maintained, the same cannot be said for the exterior of the main palace building, which appears to have, visibly, deteriorated more each time I visit. I know times are hard, but allowing this to happen is a shame bordering on a crime.