There is one rule here: no stress. It’s a decree that carried owners Luísa and Paul from fast lives in Lisbon to a slow lane in the Alentejo countryside, and Teima’s gentle forest of cork, pine and wild pear trees was their escape route into rural tourism.
Their journey is a familiar one, but few achieve such levels of perfection. They started by building themselves a house alongside two guest rooms – all in glass, timber and natural stone. Gradually they expanded, adding a cool blue pool and finally turning their home into additional rooms, including a two-bedroom apartment. On the way, they collected a small menagerie: dogs, an adopted cat called Mo, ducks, and a family of donkeys – including Rosa the matriarch, whose muzzle inspired the Teima logo that you’ll find printed on deck chairs, embroidered on bathrobes and stenciled onto the entrance gates. The result is a restful sanctuary with tranquil gardens, a deck overlooking a duck pond, lemon and orange trees, and a comfy lounge. You could happily spend most of your time here, but it would be a pity to miss out on the wild beauty, paradise beaches and dramatic trails of the Alentejo’s Costa Vicentina, just 5-10 minutes' drive away.
Highs
- A peaceful rural location within easy reach of some of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches
- Romantic rooms in summery colours, all with generous outdoor space, bespoke furniture and original artwork
- A laid-back ambiance, with plenty of spots to unwind: poolside loungers, hanging chairs by the pond, a guest lounge warmed by a wood-burner
- Breakfasts are a real treat
- Luísa and Paul are perfectionists – love and care have gone into everything from the pristine cotton sheets to the pretty tableware
Lows
- A car is essential for getting here and exploring - the last few hundred metres to the hotel is along an unpaved road
- The restaurant only serves breakfast, you'll need to head out for other meals (the nearest restaurant is 4km away)
- Please note, no check-ins before 15:30pm or after 10pm
- This is more of a grown-up retreat, there are no twin rooms (except in the apartment) and children under 10 are not permitted
Best time to go
The Alentejo is a good year-round destination, but it comes into its own in spring and autumn – the most popular time for walkers. Visit in April, May or June for wild flowers and nesting storks, or in September-October (the latter being Luisa's favourite time of year here) for warm days and cooler nights. It starts to get very hot in July, and the coast can get crowded in August. Luisa and Paul close for a few weeks once a year, usually from mid-December to early February.
Our top tips
The south-west Alentejo coast is very special – and surprisingly undiscovered. We loved our day trip along the rough but breathtakingly beautiful coast road, between the dunes of remote Bordeira beach and the surfy sands of Carrapateira. Drive or take a bike.
- Boutique Guesthouse
- 7 rooms + 1 apartment for 4
- Breakfast
- Ages 10+ welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
The beautiful rooms are colour-themed and all slightly different. Each is an expression of Luisa’s passion for interior design – a clever combination of commissioned art, contemporary and vintage furniture, vivid shades and natural materials, with a dash of quirkiness.
Turquesa, Coral, Lime and Tangerina are the light and spacious Pool View Rooms: a row of four, each with sliding glass doors opening onto a private slice of a long, shaded veranda. On our most recent visit, we stayed in Coral and found ourselves charmed by the animal-themed decor: a flamingo in the bathroom, a delicate birdcage in the bedroom, and hot-pink feathers mounted on the wall.
Branco, Azul and Cinza are the Garden View Rooms: slightly more private, with large timber decks screened by foliage and furnished with sofas, parasols and deck chairs. We liked Cinza with its lofty shower room with polished cement walls and aquamarine mosaic tiles.
Agua is the two-bedroom Apartment. It's new since we last visited but sounds like an ideal space for a family with older kids. It comes with a double bedroom and a twin, plus a large, bright living space with pops of pastel blue and light wood furnishings. There's also a fully equipped kitchen and a lovely outdoor terrace with seating.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
Pre-order breakfast the night before from a menu which includes artful dishes of fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, toast, croissants, cheeses, quince marmalade and homemade jams, juices and cereals. You can choose to eat in the airy dining room, on the terrace or even by the pool.
Every afternoon throughout the year, a hot or cold drink will be delivered to your room along with homemade cake - perhaps vanilla tea and a mini pastel de nata. Aside from this there are no other meals on offer. You'll need to drive out for lunch or dinner; the nearest local restaurant is at Brejao (4km; book in advance), but there are lots of good places to eat in Odexeice or Zambujeira do Mar. Luísa recommends Costa Alentejana for its fresh seafood. If you're in the mood for something more trendy, drive south to Praia de Monte Clerigo, where there's a hip beachfront restaurant called O Sargo - an ideal lunch spot.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Room service
Activities
- Just hang out: in the gardens, on your terrace, by the pool, or in the cushioned chairs that swing lazily over the duck pond. There are woods to explore, a boat you can borrow and friendly donkeys to stroke; massages with a visiting therapist can be arranged, too
- Head for one of the local beaches. Within a 5-10 minute drive, the vast beach at Odeceixe is one of the finest in Portugal; Amalia, Monte Clerigo, Amoreria, Arrifana, Carvalhal and Zambujeira do Mar are also close, ideal for surfing and all very beautiful
- Walk a section of the Rota Vincentina. One of Europe’s classic coast-path routes, it’s an exhilarating trail of rugged cliffs, Atlantic views and spectacular beaches
- Drive, walk or cycle up to the lonely cliffs of Cabo Sardao, where storks nest on pinnacles of rock in spring and early summer
- Take a day trip down to Sagres for surf beaches and panoramic views from the fort on Cape St Vincent, the Algarve's most westerly point
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Walking
- Well being
Kids
Only children 10 years old and over are welcome, as they prefer to preserve the chilled atmosphere. Children are also not actively encouraged outside the school holidays.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Apartment is the best bet for families - it sleeps 4 in a double and a twin bedroom and comes with a fully equipped kitchen and plenty of living space. The Pool View rooms can accommodate a rollaway bed.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Teima is in the south-west of Portugal's Alentejo region, between Sines and Lagos. The nearest town is Sao Teotonio, and the Atlantic coast is a 4km drive.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Faro (104km); you could also fly into Lisbon (218km). Both are served by a wide range of scheduled, budget and charter flights - click on the links below for a list of airlines.
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 to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Portugal and getting around
Airports:
- Faro Airport 104.0 km FAO
- Lisbon Airport 218.0 km LIS
Other:
- Beach 17.5 km
- Shops 6.0 km
- Restaurant 6.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 4 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape