The Most Incredible Hotels in Alentejo

The rice fields are the star of the show at Quinta da Comporta. You can watch the wind tousle the crops from the infinity pool, gaze out at honey-yellow grains through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the organic restaurant, or book holistic rice-inspired treatments at Oryza Spa. The hotel sits on an ancient rice farm and takes an ecoconscious approach to hospitality, with solar-powered energy and buildings made from reclaimed wood, thatch and bamboo. In the rooms, you’ll find natural decor such as woven baskets, straw lampshades and wildflower-filled pots, while the pool villas boast three bedrooms, two sun decks, a balcony and – you guessed it – a private pool.

You’ll find the 200-year-old, family-run São Lourenço do Barrocal at the end of a long driveway that twists past ancient holm oaks, olive groves, orchards and vineyards. Once a tight-knit farming village, the old-world estate has been transformed into an arcadian retreat. Rooms lie inside the former barns, worker homes and craftsmen outhouses. Suites have terraces where you can gaze up at the Monsaraz Castle, while cottages overlook wild meadows dotted with neolithic dolmen. Slip on your flip-flops to grab a lounger by the pool and wander over to the on-site farm shop, holistic spa or restaurant, or hop on one of the free classic bikes to explore the surrounding nature.

Forget chirping inboxes and vibrating alarms. Herdade da Matinha wants you to enjoy the simple things in life – whether that’s a sunset ride through a eucalyptus forest on horseback, tucking into secret dishes under dappled shade on the porch, or getting lost in a book by the pool. The hotel evokes a sense of homeliness thanks to its passionate owners and warmly decorated rooms – which feature colourful art, wooden floors and gingham headboards – while adventures are promised with surfer-friendly beaches and hiking trails a stone’s throw away.

For peace and quiet in Alentejo, few locations can compete with L’And Vineyards, a five-star luxury resort with a winery, a spa and exclusive Sky View suites; you really can sleep under the stars. Wine aficionados will enjoy sampling the award-winning wine, especially when paired with the food from the hotel’s Michelin-recommended restaurant.

This five-star luxury hotel in historic Évora offers 92 guest rooms, five suites, several dining and drinking establishments, two pools and a full spa, all within a couple of short miles from the city’s major landmarks, such as the Temple of Diana and the Cathedral of Évora. The building is a must-see itself – it was once a local convent. The vaulted ceilings are stunning, as are the deluxe suites decorated with the local heritage in mind. However, if you prefer more modern surroundings, other suites and rooms are completely furnished in contemporary styles, and many offer garden views.

The Moinho do Álamo resides in the rebuilt ruins of a 19th-century watermill near the Almansor River. Inside, rooms are decorated in traditional Portuguese style – with antique furnishings and pastoral paintings – and each has a little library and balcony so that you can take in views of the lake, garden and meadows over the pages of a good book. To truly soak up the surroundings, go for a dip in the outdoor pool and bask under straw umbrellas by the riverside, or if you’re feeling restless, visit the farm animals and book a horseback ride.

This list wouldn’t be complete without a hotel associated with a medieval fortress, and the Pousada Mosteiro Crato was once the historic, 14th-century monastery of Santa Maria de Flor da Rosa. Enjoy the gothic architecture in addition to the spa services, pool and garden while staying in one of the 24 rooms. This hotel, in Alto Alentejo, is surrounded by beautiful countryside.