The Lockdown Staycation: Making the Most of the New Quarantine in Portugal*.
(Portugal’s been under a strict quarantine since late October 2020.)
In the midst of the new pandemic lockdown measures combined with the growing fatigue of working from home, I decided to try something different. I decided to take my first staycation. The idea was to get away for a couple of days while still complying with the inter-county weekend travel ban as well as the 1pm to 5am Saturday and Sunday curfew.
Once I made the decision, the next step was finding the right property. I wanted a boutique hotel that had enough space to socially distance while also offering full board, a view, reduced occupancy, and a comfortable workspace inside the room. After a quick search through what was actually open, I found Dream Guincho: a family-owned 8-bedroom property between Sintra and Cascais. I knew the area well, but since this hotel had just opened, I thought it would be best to contact them before I made the reservation. Minutes after a quick chat with Rosario, the owner, my getaway was booked.
The coastal area near Dream Guincho. Photo by Immersa Global.
The area, known as “Guincho”, is located 40 minutes west of Lisbon in a region that is famous for its dramatic coastal cliffs and picturesque beaches. Tucked away in an upscale residential neighborhood, Dream Guincho faces the lush green Sintra foothills on one side and the Atlantic-ocean (at a distance) on the other. The day that I arrived, it was cold, wet, and windy which actually made the idea of not being at home even more exciting.
Exterior view of the hotel. Photo by Immersa Global.
As soon as I walked through the front door, a friendly masked attendant greeted me by name and immediately offered me a glass of wine from Madeira before she checked me in. This wasn’t my first hotel stay since the pandemic started, so I was already used to the nation-wide health and sanitation protocols which include using masks indoors at all times (when not eating or drinking), using hand sanitizer (or washing hands) frequently, and standing six feet away from everyone else. By now, I considered myself a pro!
Glass of Madeira wine at check in. Photo by Immersa Global.
On the way to my room, the attendant gave me a quick tour of the space pointing out common areas including a large sitting room, a dining room, and a smoking room. Everything looked clean, tidy, and inviting. The decoration was a combination of modern simplicity and timeless Old-World charm which, I later learned, also included Rosario’s family heirlooms.
After unpacking my bag and doing a quick inspection of my room, I was convinced. This staycation was going to be exactly what I needed to rest, work, and disconnect from home.
Bedroom with workstation. Photo by Immersa Global.
For lunch, Rosario invited me to join her family who was visiting for the weekend. This was a pleasant surprise since I hadn’t really interacted with new people in person since the pandemic started. Before I could respond, she quickly added that we’d be seated at a large communal table with space for everyone to socially distance.
I accepted.
Preparing our table for lunch. Photo by Immersa Global.
The menu was another surprise. Unlike some of the heavier typical winter dishes, they served a light and tasty homemade vegetable quiche with a simple spring salad and fresh fruit for dessert. It was satisfying without being overwhelming.
By mid-afternoon, the rain and wind had gotten so bad that I nixed my original plan of taking a walk around the property after lunch. The foothills were inviting, but not enough to go out in the rain, so plan “B” it was. I went back to my room where I had plenty of work and fortunately a comfortable and new-to-me space to work in.
A few hours later, the receptionist rang to invite me down for afternoon tea. I was about to decline when I smelled something delicious coming in from the corridor. Assuming that the aroma was associated with the invite, I quickly headed downstairs to investigate. When I arrived, everyone was happily nibbling on cake and sipping tea.
A view of the sitting room. Photo courtesy of Dream Guincho.
After I’d had my share of both, I excused myself and went back to work. The pre-dinner cocktail was set for 8:30 pm and I still needed to wrap up a few things beforehand. This was my first Saturday night out in months and I was determined to enjoy it stress-free.
Rainy late-afternoon view from my balcony. Photo by Immersa Global.
The aperitif was 100% Portuguese. They served a nice dry sparkling wine from the Setúbal region, warm Portuguese cheese melts, a local tapenade, dips, and bread crisps in the large sitting room. It was the perfect setup to nosh and mingle, safely. And by my second glass of wine, I’d learned that the other two guests (who were both attorneys) were also there on a staycation, something they actually started doing back in the summer. Smart.
An hour later, dinner was announced. The menu consisted of typical winter fare: a hearty vegetable soup, pork tenderloins, roasted vegetables, and warm “drunken apples” for dessert. The food was great, but the conversation was even better. Over the course of four hours, Rosario’s family and I had enough energy, opinions, and wine to cover everything from food, to world politics, to the economy before finally calling it a night.
Brunch the following morning was equally decadent and lively.
The entire experience was better than what I’d expected. The change of environment, some indulging, and (safe) social interactions with others gave me the boost of motivation that I needed.
By checkout time on Sunday, I was already thinking of a new destination for my next staycation. And if things continue as they are now, I may have plenty of time to take a few more before the country’s back to normal.
(Correction: 2/15/21 Originally stated that the author received a glass of Port wine which was incorrect. She received a glass of wine from Madeira.)
*Editor’s Note — Portugal, like most countries in the European Union, remains closed for leisure travel for US Citizens.
About the Author:
Sheree M. Mitchell is an American travel specialist who lives in Lisbon, Portugal. She is the president & founder of Immersa Global, a boutique destination management company and tour operator. Mitchell was recently appointed President to the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Chapter in Portugal where she uses her global network to connect Portuguese travel suppliers with American buyers. She enjoys exploring new places and meeting new people, preferably over a bottle of wine. You may learn more about her here.