Amidst the active life of Praia da Rocha and within easy reach of many tourist attractions, it stands as an oasis. Encircled by its own property, it is at once away from and part of, the life of Praia da Rocha.

Totally in keeping with the glamour of the turn of the century, the hotel maintains much of its original decor, including, in some rooms and common areas, 17th and 18th Century tiles, signed by Victoria P., and ceilings of precious Brazilian wood, worked and painted by Pereira Cao.

The tiles tell the history of the golden age of the Portuguese Discoveries. Excerpts from "Os Lusiadas" (epic work of the great Portuguese poet Luis Vaz de Camoes) and of the Arab occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.

Built as the private residence of a wealthy family, Magalhaes Barros, it was later leased to a cousin, Henrique Bivar de Vasconcelos, who transformed it into an Hotel in the 1930s, at a time when the first intrepid tourists discovered the Algarve and managed to arrive at Praia da Rocha by boat.

The hotel preserves its history and its treasures from a glorious past, and with its simplicity, friendliness and dedicated staff, you are sure to feel as if you were visiting friends and family with none of the impersonal atmosphere of the large cosmopolitan hotels.

It has a total of 14 bedrooms and 2 suites, all equipped with ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, television, telephone, radio and mini-bar.

Curious facts
One of the most outstanding periods of Bela Vista is the 40s decade, the years of World War II. Portugal, being politically neutral, was place for the exchange and passing of information. The hotel, thanks to the comfort, isolation and self-sufficiency that it could offer during those times, served as a privileged and adequate local meeting place for spies, secret agents and "postmen", who knew the hotel's location from the sea.

It has always kept its guestbooks, which are a "living" registration of well spent vacations. The older ones include, among others, signatures and comments by Sidonio Pais (former portuguese President) and his train, by the king Humberto de Saboya, Fuljencio Baptista (after Fidel Castro took the power, in Cuba) and by the great hero Mannerheim of Finland's personal doctor, who left a signed manuscript, eulogizing and describing the magnificent vacations they spent in the hotel, from where the hero left after a two-months recovery and completely re-established.

And something very curious happened about fifty years ago...
A less well-intentioned employee stole a guest's money and letters which, purportedly, should have been sent by mail. He kept the money and hid the letters in reception. Thirty-five years later, during the hotel's restoration, the letters were discovered and posted. Some time later, grandchildren and great-grandchildren from the addresses arrived at the Hotel, coming from all over the world, from Australia to the United States.

Esplanada das Palmeiras
During the summer (from July to mid-September) one of the finest attractions in Praia da Rocha is held at the hotel: the Palm Tree Garden, open from 9pm until 1am.  This consists of an area completely covered by palm trees where magnificent tropical cocktail parties are held. There is a bar service, live music and the latest in recorded music always at a volume where conversation is possible.

Hotel Bela Vista is a place for the whole family, with no age restriction... Simple and charming.