Paraiso Escondido

Rooms

Classed as doubles, suites or ‘wooden bungalows on stilts’, all rooms are different and beautifully designed to reflect Berny and Glenn’s exotic world travels. In the main house, 2 Oriental-style suites, Eva Principe and Jasmim, sit side by side; each with a contemporary four-poster bed and a sleek walk-in power shower. Jasmim has the best views.

Still in the main house, there are 3 light and colourful doubles: Hortelã Pimenta, Lucia-Lima and Tilia. The African-style Marula (the roomiest of the suites) is housed in a self-contained mini villa and has a wood-burning stove. The 2 bungalows (Camomila and Cidreira) lean into eucalyptus forest from the edge of the hill, a steep walk away from the main house (from Camomila it’s tempting to drive!).

All rooms have air-conditioning and an outdoor space. The Lake View suites, Marula and bungalows also get minibars and Espresso machines.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• WiFi

Eating

Vegetarian meals and drinks are served in the lovely conservatory-lounge – light and sunny in summer; firelit and cosy in colder weather. Start the day with a lazy breakfast (served until 11am): fresh fruit, home-baked bread, granola, yoghurt, local cheeses and free-range eggs to order.

For lunch there’s a menu of light snacks (toasted sandwiches!) and in the evenings, a simple, home-cooked 3-course dinner is offered every day except Sunday. On our first night the set menu featured field mushrooms baked in garlic and blue cheese with new potatoes. The next day, carrot and coriander soup, vegetable curry and a coconut panna cotta.

The ingredients are plucked from Glenn’s organic kitchen garden, or bought fresh that morning from local markets. Guests have the opportunity to discuss the menu in advance (vegans and vegetarians are extremely well catered for). There's also afternoon cake, a selection of help-yourself teas and coffees, luscious Alentejo wines and an honesty bar.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Lunch by arrangement
• Organic produce
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Stay put! With the outdoor pool, the restful rooms, the delicious meals and the dreamy views, this is the perfect place to really unwind. Massages are on offer, too
  
• Head for the beach: the Alentejo’s Atlantic coast is a long line of wild surfy beaches, including beautiful Odeceixe (one of Portugal’s finest), Amalia, Amoreria, Arrifana and Zambujeira do Mar, all rarely crowded and within a half-hour drive.
  
• Take a hike (or bring a bike): You're close to the Rota Vincentina, the 100km-path which follows cliffs and beaches along one of the most pristine coastlines in Europe
  
• Do a day trip to the Algarve: the fort at Cape St Vincent at Sagres (Europe’s most westerly point) takes about an hour by car

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Hiking
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Well being

Kids

No children under 11 allowed. This is a peaceful, grown-up retreat.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Parents travelling with teens like the option of booking Suite Erva Principe in the main house along with Tilia as there's a small reading area between the rooms, suitable for families who prefer a small separation. An extra bed can be provided in the Marula suite for 11-15 year olds; 16+ year olds will need their own room. Another good option for families is to book Hortelã Pimenta with either Lucia-Lima or pool-facing Tilia. All 3 of these rooms could be booked together to form a private wing of the house.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Paraiso Escondido is on the edge of Casa Nova da Cruz, a quiet backwater village that's 6km inland from the small Alentejo town of Sao Teotonio, and around 10km from the coast.

By Air:
The nearest airport is Faro (104km); you could also fly into Lisbon (218km).

From the Airport
The rural location means you'll need a car to get here and get around - see our car-rental recommendations. It's a 90-minute drive from Faro and a 2.5-hour drive from Lisbon.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.