União - Guest House

A puzzle greets the guest who enters the dining room at Residencial Uniao, R. Serpa Pinto 94, Tomar, Portugal. The eighteen or twenty neatly arrayed tables each have one chair turned at an angle while other chairs are tucked under the table in the ordinary, regimental way. The placement of the chair invites the weary traveler to rest and eat. That welcome is in keeping with the prevailing attitude of this antique guest house, which is warm, hospitable, and accommodating to both vacationers and pilgrims.||The location is just three hundred meters east of the heart of Tomar and the Praça da República, and about the same distance west of the Nabão River’s scenic spillways, gardens, surrounding architecture, and cafés. For the spiritually minded The Residencial Uniao is convenient to the city’s churches, chapels, convents, and synagogue. For the sightseer, the guest house is comfortable, clean, and conveniently modernized; the spiritual voyager will be rejuvenated for the next miles toward Santiago de Compostella by time spent in the company of others who trod the Camino’s Way.||Among this little hotel’s features is the unparalleled hospitality of innkeeper Jorge. The agencies that package ground transportation, hotel, meals, and luggage transfers to pilgrims are businesses. They behave accordingly. A few other brokered innkeepers imbue the pilgrim’s spirit but none surpass Jorge in hospitality. The Knights Templar began as protectors of peregrines to the Holy Land, our hotelier is the modern equivalent. Residencial Uniao offers modern pilgrims the comforts of shelter, food (sumptuous in-house breakfasts and evening meals at nearby restaurants by voucher at modest prices for fine value). Beyond the hotel’s commercial offerings, Jorge is selfless in offering concierge services, translations, directions, patience for the hopeless, and endless helpings of good humor. Chaucer paints Harry Bailly, the innkeeper of Canterbury Tale, as "wys," "wel ytaught," and "myrie." Wise well taught and merry, we might say. (Walter Scheps, "’Up Roos Oure Hoosi, and Was Oure Aller Cok’: Harry Bailly’s Tale Telling Competition”). Our Jorge is Harry's modern match. His only staff is a smiling, silent angel who cooks breakfast and cleans tirelessly. She seems always present but mostly invisible in delivering her graces.||If you travel to Tomar for pleasure or penance, a clean room, food if you need it, fair prices, rich hospitality, and new friends are all to be found at Residencial Uniao.

Great location right in the heart of Tomar and the staff could not have been nicer, especially Pedro at the front desk. I got in a little later than planned walking the Portuguese Camino and they waited for me. Pedro was so sweet, he got me a water and arranged to have my laundry washed and folded for only 10 euros before before I continued on my journey the next day. I had a nice private room and bath with access to lots of cafes and shops. I also had a large luggage transfer and felt terrible because the stairs are so narrow, but Pedro told me it really was no trouble and not to be concerned. He could not have been sweeter answering all my questions and I really appreciated his assistance. It was a lovely place to be after a long day of walking. I highly recommend them!

Jorge (the owner) is the best!!! His service is phenomenal and his attitude is very Comical! Very clean and right on the center of attraction! It was a great experience !!!! Thank you Jorge!

The Residencial Ubiao is a wonderful old hotel right in the middle of Tomar. It is close to everything but also quiet. It was built 200 years ago when they used solid materials made to last. Our room was very clean and white with a window overlooking the main walkway - so no cars driving by. The floors were original wooden planks - very pretty and very quiet. The front desk was on the second floor and they were happy to give us recommendations and make sure everything was OK. The common room was large with high ceilings. There was AC but we never needed it since the walls were thick and the whole building was cool - even in April. We are starting our Camino walk here in Tomar and this hotel made is special.

Wonderful location, and a really beautiful building, with an amazing forecourt so much style. Staff are amazing and room was cleaned everyday. I stayed for a month and never bored of the people or building, can’t wait to go back 🥰

We spent 2 nights here as a rest stop on our Camino. Perfect location for exploring Tomar. Lovely, traditional building but sadly the rooms are also dated and could do with some TLC. The shower was not great and the bed not hugely comfortable but on a plus point the breakfast was fabulous and owner very helpful.

Nothing glamorous but no complaints. As others have noted, it is an older building with old furniture and decoration. It is a traditional townhouse on one of the main streets very near the main square. The building has some of the traditional blue and white tiles on the outside. My room and bath were small and compact but perfectly adequate. I chose the rate without breakfast so I can't comment on breakfast. The dining room looked very nice. There was a bar where you could help yourself and pay for wine or other drinks. The room had a small tv.

This hotel is ideally located for exploring the town. The room and bathroom are spacious and one can still see that this is an old building with character. However, as a result some things did not work as well. The room was clean, as was the bathroom. The breakfast is a nice buffet, and the owner is very helpful. Wifi is fast.