The Pensao Named after Woody the Woodpecker (Pica-Pau Pensao, Estoril)

Member Name: Praskipark

Product:	Pica-Pau Pensao, Estoril
Date:	29/04/09 (142 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A Small, Traditional and Intimate Hotel in the Heart of Estoril

Disadvantages: None - except cold pool

Pica-Pau means woodpecker in Portuguese and this beautiful old-style bulding is a pensao and restaurant combined which I absolutely adore and never tire of visiting. I have to say that the people who run this establishment are charismatic and two of the most helpful people I have encountered in the travel industry.

The exterior of the Pic-Pau is one of exquisite charm with its slanted roofs of criss-cross red tiles, white painted calc walls decorated with royal blue and white azulejos. Set in an overgrown landscape of Mediterranean plants in a very old suburb of Estoril where once exiled aristocrats lived, this building is what I would call my dream home. I absolutely love its old world charm.

The very first time I visited the Pic-Pau was when my son was about 2 years old and we hadn't moved to Portugal in those days. I remember having afternoon tea in the dining area of the restaurant. It was all so posh served in a teapot with a little tray of best china cups and a plate of sandwiches cut in tringles with a selection of cream cakes. Unfortunately, my husband didn't realise how hot the teapot was and dropped it, scalding his foot and making a mess everywhere on the floor. It was very embarrassing but the staff were so nice. Nothing was too much trouble.

That was a long time ago and the pensao and restaurant has had a complete make over but still managed to keep its traditional Portuguese charm. I am pleased to see that they have kept all the traditional tiles throughout the hotel because they are so lovely and you only ever see such beauty in Portuguese establishments.

This is a very friendly, small hotel and all the rooms are indeed very cosy. To keep the noise of traffic out every room has double glazing. There are three different types of room and three different sizes. We always have an ordinary, standard room which is adequate in size with an en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone and two beds. It's lovely to have a room overlooking the garden and pool because I always think the garden is full of character with its rambling plants entwined with various terra cotta pots and flower beds. We have always found the rooms to be simply furnished but pleasant to the eye without too much fuss.

The restaurant is somewhere that we have frequented many times over the years even when not staying at the pensao. It is a very light and airy room with light streaming in through the conservatory style windows. Again plants everywhere - some hanging from the ceiling. All tables are covered with linen tablecloths and have flowers on the tables which gives it a proper hotel look but also one of cleanliness and prettiness. Food on sale is very Portuguese in the way that is simple, cooked with fresh ingredients and delicious. The Pic-Pau is known throughout Cascais and Estoril for cooking the best Chicken Piri- Piri in the area and I can see why they have earned that reputation. The chicken is cooked so tender that it falls of the bone and the blend of chili, lemon juice and aromatic spices is just the correct balance to make your mouth water but not burn it when eating.

Another of their specialities is rabbit stew. Oh, it is so delicious - just like my Dad used to make it. Traditionally, rabbit stew is a main dish served in the Extremedura but you can find it in Lisbon and surrounding areas as well as in the Algarve. For me, what gives it the special taste is the fact that it is fried a little at first and then cooked in red and white wine with tomatoes, olive oil, onion and garlic with fresh parsley added. The taste is tender but so tasty as all the flavours have soaked into the skin of the rabbit. In the Pica Pau restaurant this comes served with boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes or bread served on a huge plate with cabbage. Delicious.

This is an extremely busy restaurant with locals and visitors and my advice is to get there early if you are not a guest of the pensao. I have had to wait over two hours before being served.

Sometimes it is a nice experience to sit around the pool in the shady area and have lunch. The pool is very large but has a lovely shady terrace full of geraniums in bloom. Tables are set in positions with plenty of shade so you can sit back, have a drink, eat and relax.

There is also a lounge bar which is very peaceful and quiet where you can read and watch TV.

From the beginning of July to mid October a standard room which is the type we always choose and in my view, is perfectly adequate will cost you around 80 euros but remember that this is for the room - not each person. If you visit around now and until the end of May, it will cost 50 euros. I personally think April is a great month to visit as it isn't too hot and not as many tourists around. Only snag is that the pool will make your body twitch with cold and your teeth chatter.

Summary: An Exquisite Hotel full of Portuguese Charm