International Lodging Corporation

Where Amazing Travel Experiences Begin

Checking In…Pousada Vila Óbidos (Portugal)

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The Pousada Vila Óbidos is a traditional 18th C. house in the heart of this medieval village, just 200 meters (5 minute walk) down the hill from the Castelo de Óbidos. The building previously served as the village hospital and recently underwent a total renovation to convert it to a cozy hotel with just 17 rooms.  Guests can now enjoy the intimate ambiance of staying in a charming whitewashed house with an interior courtyard in the heart of the village.

Guests of the Pousada Vila Óbidos check-in at the nearby Castelo de Óbidos, and can use the Reception services and Restaurant located in the Castle. The Reception of the Pousada Vila Óbidos is staffed from 7:30am to 4:30pm daily. Breakfast is served daily in a lovely glass walled room overlooking the interior courtyard, and a complimentary selection of tea, coffee and snacks is available for guests to enjoy throughout the day.

  • Address: Largo Dr. João Lourenço
  • Visit the 12th C. Castle, Porta da Vila, Praça de Santa Maria, Igreja de Santa Maria, Museo Municipal
  • Pousada de Ourem (82 km)
  • Pousada de Condeixa-a-Nova (123 km)
  • Pousada de Crato (188 km)
  • Airport: 50 minutes – 1 hour by taxi (80 km – Lisbon)

All rooms with private bath, air conditioning, direct dial telephone, WiFi, hair dryer, flat panel TV, minibar, room safe

  • No Elevator
  • Breakfast room
  • Reception (limited hour Reception onsite / 24 hour Reception at the Castle)
  • Parking (complimentary)
  • 17 guest rooms (3 floors)
  • Classic: Room with a King or Twin beds; approx. 15 m2 (2 guest maximum)
  • Superior: Room with a King or Twin beds; approx. 18 m2 (2 guest maximum)
  • Premium: Spacious room with a King or Twin beds; approx. 20 m2 (2 guest maximum)
  • All rooms have a shower only (no bathtub)

Driving info: New traffic patterns were implemented in Óbidos to deter people who are not hotel guests from driving up to the castle. GPS apps (e.g. Google Maps) do not provide correct directions to the castle. Directions will be provided to clients who make a reservation at the Pousada. Vehicles larger than a standard size car (e.g. minivans or larger) will not be able to pass through the narrow streets in the village.

For more information, pricing and reservations, contact us – click here.

Checking In…Hotel Pestana Vintage Porto, Porto (Portugal)

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This charming 5-star boutique hotel is located in the heart of the historic center of the city on the Praça de Ribeira. It was formed by combining 18 traditional buildings dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.  The hotel overlooks the River Douro and from its balconies you can see the port wine lodges that dot the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the river.

  • Address: Praca da Ribeira, 1
  • 5-15 minute walk to the Palacio de Bolsa (Stock Exchange), Casa do Infante (birthplace of Prince Henry the Navigator), Torre dos Clérigos (18th C. tower), São Bento station, Santa Clara Church (15th C.), São Francisco Church (15th C), Cathedral (18th C.)
  • 10 minute walk over the Dom Luis I bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia and the port wine lodges
  • Bus Station: 10 minute walk (near São Bento)
  • Train Station: 10 minute walk (São Bento) or 10 minutes by taxi (Campanha)
  • Airport: 20 minutes by taxi (20 km)

All rooms with private bath, air conditioning, direct dial telephone, high-speed Internet access (WiFi), hair dryer, bathrobes, remote-control satellite flat panel TV, minibar, Nespresso coffee machine, room safe

  • 2 Elevators
  • Room Service (24 hours)
  • Restaurant Rib Beef & Wine
  • Heritage Bar
  • Meeting Facilities to 60 ~ Audiovisual equipment
  • Workstation with Internet access (complimentary)
  • Fitness Center
  • Magic Spa
  • Reception (24 hours)
  • Laundry & Dry Cleaning Service
  • Parking nearby (at public garage, extra charge)
  • 109 guest rooms (7 floors)
  • Classic: Room with a Queen or Twin beds facing a narrow street at the back of the hotel; approx. 20-23 m2 (2 guest maximum)
  • Superior: Spacious room with a Queen (only 1) or Twin beds facing a narrow street at the back of the hotel; approx. 20-35 m2 (3 guest maximum)
  • Vintage Front View: Located on the ground floor with partial river view; approx. 18-37 m2 (2 guest maximum) – see comment below
  • Plaza Room: Room with a King or Twin beds located on the side of the building that overlooks the Praça da Ribeira with a side river view, located on the 2nd floor and above; approx. 24-30 m2 (2 guest maximum)
  • Heritage Suite: Unique suite built with part of the XIV century Ferdinand wall, whose remains have been classified as a World Heritage Site; approx. 53m2 – only 1 of this type (4 guest maximum; 3 adults and 1 child)
  • Vintage River View: Room with a panoramic river view and a King or Twin beds, located on the 2nd floor and above; approx. 19-38m2 (2 guest maximum)
  • Vintage River View Balcony: Room with French doors and balcony overlooking the river, D. Luis Bridge and Port wine cellars, with a King or Twin beds; approx. 19-29m2 (3 guest maximum)
  • Vintage Grand View: Spacious room overlooking the river, D. Luis Bridge and Port wine cellars with a King or Twin beds, located on 2nd to 5th floors; approx. 28-36m2 (3 guest maximum)
  • Vintage Grand View Balcony: Spacious room with French doors and balcony overlooking the river, D. Luis Bridge and Port wine cellars, located on 2nd to 5th floors; approx. 30-38m2 (3 guest maximum)
  • Suite Grand View: Large suite with a living room and separate bedroom with Twin beds, all with river, D. Luis Bridge and Port wine cellar views; approx. 44 m2 – only 3 of this type (4 guest maximum; 3 adults and 1 child)
  • Hotel offers some: 1 Handicap room (Classic category), Connecting rooms (Plaza to Vintage Grand View or Deluxe River View to Grand View)
  • Child age is from 2-12 years old
  • We do not book Vintage Front View rooms, as rooms are on the street level and face an active pedestrian walkway

For more information, pricing and reservations, contact us – click here.

Family Travel…Lodging Options in Barcelona (Spain)

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Traveling with children in Europe can present some challenges when looking for accommodations. Many hotels are housed in older buildings that have been converted to hotels with room sizes that are not as large as the rooms often found in newer hotels in the U.S. While this may add to the charm of a property, it means that you are not likely to find spacious rooms that can accommodate an entire family in one room with two full or queen size beds. Even if you are willing to foot the bill for two rooms, you can’t always find hotels with connecting rooms, and that can be a real challenge for families traveling with smaller children who do not want to be separated from them.

Luckily for families there are a number of options in Barcelona that can accommodate families traveling with children, including hotels with connecting rooms, suite hotels with multi-room options, and self-catering apartments with 1-3 bedrooms. Some options even have kitchenettes, so you can keep snacks and food on hand.

  • Midtown Apartments (pictured above) – centrally located just steps from the Paseo de Gracia, Plaza Cataluña, Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter, these spacious apartments are housed in a classic 19th C. building that blends classic and modern design elements, creating a retro style. The use of exposed brick, iron and wood elements create a modern industrial design that is warm and comfortable. The 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments have a spacious living room, dining room, fully equipped kitchen with a washer/dryer and a dishwasher, and 1 or 2 bathrooms. The rooftop swimming pool and terrace solarium is a great place to relax and unwind. For more information and reservations, click here.
  • Arai Suite Hotel – located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter close to many historic sites, this 4-star boutique suite hotel is housed in the former palace Casa dels Quatre Rius, which dates from 1702.  They offer a Family Room that can accommodate up to 4 people in a room with a bedroom area, sitting area with 2 single sofabeds, kitchenette and balcony.  For more information and reservations, click here.
  • Self-Catering Apartments – there are a number of high quality, self-catering apartments in Barcelona that offer guests apartments with more space and kitchenettes in centrally located, residential neighborhoods. They are perfect for families that do not necessarily need all of the services offered by a hotel or suite hotel, and are looking to live more like a local. The apartments range from 1 to 3 bedroom apartments in areas such as the upscale residential Eixample area, and the trendy El Born and Gràcia neighborhoods. For more information on apartments in the Eixample area, click here. For more information on apartments in El Born and Gràcia neighborhoods, click here.

For more information, pricing and reservations, contact us – click here.