Words: Patrícia Barnabé
We already know there are beautiful hotels in Portugal, but when they merge with nature and blend in with the elements, we enter the category of the sublime.
In these fast and merciless times, it is essential to escape into what we are. And we are earth, air, water and fire, so we need to revisit the elements to re-energise and reconnect with our essence. If it’s not possible to live in the middle of the countryside or on an almost deserted island, trying to find some space in a world full of people, we recommend quiet days that remind us of where we come from and renew a certain hope.
Tijosa Eco-House Camp
Ovar
Located on the pier at Tijosa, a stone’s throw from the estuary and the magnificent nature surrounding it. A small, unpretentious hotel with great taste, which begins with the cosy common areas and becomes a home when you get to the rooms, five double rooms and five designed by national fashion designers: Alexandra Moura, Dino Alves, Nuno Gama, Storytailors and Katty Xiomara. They all face the countryside and have a small balcony from which you can see the Ria de Aveiro and the birds that live there. Yes, there are real ducks, herons and beautiful flamingos! A charming and sustainable project, created where once there were only ruins and fields. The rooms have bathrooms bathed in natural light from a skylight, and Molaflex and Hästens beds so comfortable they feel like clouds and which you will find difficult to leave. Perhaps just for a fresh, local breakfast, a dip in the Yin & Yang pool or to go for a walk in the unique and unspoilt countryside.
Rua Pedro Homem de Mello, 147, Ovar
+351 960 451 489
www.tijosaecohouse.pt
Ventozelo Hotel & Estate
Douro
At 500 years old, it is one of the oldest estates in the Douro and has long been renowned for its hospitality. It is also one of the largest estates in the area, covering 400 hectares, half of which is vineyards. The property has been carefully restored, respecting the original structures and the region’s cultural heritage of the region. It offers a wide and varied range of accommodation, including rooms, suites, and cottages. Some offer truly unique sensory experiences, such as staying in a converted barn or even a former wine storage vat. Guests can enjoy a range of vineyard-related adventures that go beyond wine tasting and include activities that celebrate the area’s rural traditions, beginning with its cuisine. Visitors can also immerse themselves in nature tourism, taking advantage of the stunning surroundings through walks or by simply relaxing and taking in the breathtaking views. From the estate, you can see the village of Pinhão and the Douro Valley from up to 600 metres above sea level. The landscape, criss-crossed by streams and waterways, has remarkable biodiversity thanks to its varied altitudes and exposure to the sun.
Ervedosa do Douro, S. João da Pesqueira
+351 254 732 167
www.quintadeventozelo.pt
Areias do Seixo
Santa Cruz
Searching for simplicity and a certain essence that emerges and soothes the soul when surrounded by nature. This vision has inspired a distinctive range of rooms with different styles, colours and textures, villas thoughtfully designed for families and small groups, and luxurious glamping tents completely immersed in the greenery, designed to be a refuge between the sea, dunes, and pine forest.
Nature also finds its way into the rooms, where the décor features local pebbles, glass, wood and stone, with design influences from destinations around the world. For a perfect sense of harmony, group activities are open to all. Guests can enjoy themed experiences inspired by the garden, tea or fire, as well as yoga sessions, fitness training and access to bicycles. As an eco-friendly retreat, the space adheres to the principles of sustainable tourism, prioritising energy efficiency through renewable energy and the careful use of natural resources.
Praceta do Atlântico, Póvoa de Penafirme, A dos Cunhados
+351 261 936 350
www.areiasdoseixo.com
Cerdeira Home for Creativity
In the heart of the country, nestled among the enchanting schist villages that preserve the traditions of the mountain people and their almost untouched stone houses, lies the almost 300-year-old village of Cerdeira. Hidden among the lush vegetation of the slopes of Serra da Lousã, Cerdeira is one of the few villages to have been truly restored from its ruined state in 1988 and is now ready to welcome visitors, especially those with a love of art, nature and a simple lifestyle that is in harmony with the surroundings. The village offers a range of accommodations, from shared rooms in the Village House — designed to encourage a sense of community reminiscent of the original villages — to 10 beautifully restored schist cottages. Visitors can be rejuvenated in the valleys by going on a variety of walks or by taking part in the village’s arts and crafts school, which offers multi-day courses and creative workshops, inviting guests to roll up their sleeves and connect with the region’s traditions through such hands-on activities as pottery, woodwork, and basket weaving.
Lugar da Cerdeira, Lousã
+351 911 789 605
www.cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com
Hotel Farol
Cascais
This hotel offers an intimate experience, with the sun and sea streaming in from every direction. Spend the night, and you will begin to understand the mystique of lighthouse keepers, as this 19th-century palace sits quite literally on the edge of the sea. It retains a delightful old-world European romanticism, steadfastly resisting modern, soulless trends. Some of the rooms were designed by renowned Portuguese fashion designers, from the Alves/Gonçalves duo to José António Tenente, and there are also more secluded rooms, complete with butler service, for those seeking extra privacy. Elsewhere, simplicity reigns supreme: stroll through the cactus garden, walk across wooden decks that are reminiscent of the nearby Guincho dunes, take a dip in the pool overlooking the sea or just sit back and enjoy gazing at the endless expanse of blue from your window. Here you can sip an afternoon tea, enjoy the finest sushi and sleep like you’re floating on a cloud over the ocean, with hospitality that brings you closer to the elements, yet is just a stone’s throw from the capital.
Av. Rei Humberto II de Itália 7, Cascais
farol@farol.com.pt
Três Marias
Alentejo
Nestled between Porto Covo and Vila Nova de Milfontes, this country house blends perfectly into the hillside landscape and offers views of the Cercal Mountains. Unpretentious and down-to-earth, it’s a fine example of honest, tasteful southern Portuguese hospitality, spread over 15 white and airy rooms, with nothing superfluous — true to the humble nature of the Alentejo. Each room has an open porch overlooking the green southern plains, where you can lose yourself, perhaps encounter some donkeys, sheep and a friendly ostrich; or you can take a dip in the inviting swimming pool, which is just perfect for those hot summer days. Like everything else here, the food is excellent, local and lovingly prepared. Everything about this place is reminiscent of the comfort and pleasure of finding shelter or enjoying company, while still feeling connected to the natural elements that drift into your room.
Ribeira da Azenha, Apt. 111, Vila Nova de Milfontes
+351 964 360 448 | +351 965 666 231
www.tresmarias.pt
Lava Homes
Açores
Visiting this place, even if just for lunch, is a rejuvenating escape into the vastness of green landscapes and the endless horizon of the Azorean Sea. This island (still) remains a sanctuary of living nature in an overcrowded Europe. As the name suggests, it’s a collection of 14 super-comfortable, well-equipped and self-contained houses built in the parish of Santo Amaro on the north coast. All constructed from local volcanic materials, with tasteful interiors, they’re cleverly scattered and embedded like precious gems along a steep slope that descends to the vast ocean. This type of mini village now occupies the site of a former cheese factory and is the perfect getaway for the more adventurous and sporty types who love hiking and climbing. The only things you’ll get tired of here are the tranquillity, nature, excellent food and the endless blue.
Terra Alta, Ilha do Pico, Açores
+351 292 241 200
www.lavahomes.com
