L’And combines modern architecture with nature, offering 22 suites with private terraces, some of which have bedrooms with retractable roofs that allow you to sleep under the stars. The hotel also has an outdoor saline pool, a tennis court, a library, and a wine club where you can taste and blend your own wine during a guided experience with the winemaker. Other highlights include the spa and the restaurant, both of which are inspired by Alentejo products. The spa offers treatments based on grape extracts, olive oil, honey, and herbs, as well as vinotherapy sessions that promise to rejuvenate your skin and body. Meanwhile, Mapa Restaurant leads diners on a culinary journey, with each dish taking cues from a destination, such as the Mozambique-inspired Algarve coast shrimp served with matapa, peanuts, and coconut.
About an hour from the hotel is Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the rich history and culture of Alentejo in its Roman temple, the Gothic cathedral, the Moorish alleys, and the Renaissance palaces that dot the medieval walls. Don’t miss the eerie Chapel of Bones, decorated with human skulls and bones, or the Museum of Évora, which houses a collection of paintings, sculptures, and archaeological artifacts. For a taste of the local cuisine, head to one of the many restaurants that serve hearty dishes like açorda (bread soup), migas (fried breadcrumbs), or porco preto (black pork). For lighter fare, stop at Lombardo, a charming little restaurant that serves Mediterranean style dishes meant to be shared.
Ambroise Tézenas/Vermelho Hotel
Ricardo Junqueira/Vermelho Hotel
Artistic coastal charm: Melides
Start at The Ivens, Autograph Collection, located in Lisbon’s trendy Chiado district. The hotel pays homage to the Portuguese explorer Roberto Ivens, who traveled across Africa and Asia in the 19th century, and the décor is inspired by his adventures—think exotic prints, maps, and globes adorning the walls. The rooms are spacious and sunny, with plush beds, Marshall Bluetooth speakers, Jo Malone amenities in the black & white tiled bathrooms, and balconies overlooking the city or the river. The Ivens has a buzzy restaurant, Rocco, which serves contemporary Italian fare.
From Lisbon, you’ll drive 90 minutes south to Melides, a tiny village on the Atlantic Coast that more than makes up for its small size in charm and laid back vibes. Shop for handcrafted ceramics at Vida Dura and sample fried cuttlefish at O Fadista, a simple family-run tasca. Then spend the rest of the day swimming, paddling, or surfing at some of the most gorgeous beaches in all of Portugal, walking along the amber-hued dunes, or visiting the nearby pine forests.
A quartet of structural gems in the hilly outskirts of Melides, hotel Pa.te.os offers spacious and bright homes designed with a respect for the natural countryside and a nod to the local architectural vernacular. Made of concrete and perfectly positioned to frame the countryside, sky or sunset from outdoor patios, each home is fully equipped with modern amenities, including a floating fireplace, Miele kitchen, and comfortable indoor-outdoor spaces for lounging and relaxing. The homes share a saline infinity-edged pool, crafted of dark grey concrete to contrast with the blue sky and surrounding nature (some 350 species of flora and fauna). There is no restaurant on site, but they do offer a delicious breakfast spread as well as a variety of experiences you can book ahead, such as private yoga or meditation sessions, massages, and in-home dining, which the staff deliver on wicker baskets to your table (inside or out) that they set with beautiful linen placemats and earthenware.
