Discover this surprising concept in Évora: luxury and the best of two hotels
In the area around Évora, I discovered a surprising concept: two unique hotels that you can combine during a single stay. One offers the charm of a restored Portuguese farmhouse, the other the luxury of a five-star hotel in a former monastery.
Just a 15-minute drive from Évora, the capital of the Alentejo region, these two unique properties are situated in the heart of the Portuguese countryside, just a three-minute walk from each other. The great thing is that you can enjoy the facilities of both hotels during your stay. A brilliant concept, isn’t it?
A charming awakening in the Portuguese countryside: Cenoura-Brava
My stay begins the moment I drive through the narrow, authentic gate of Cenoura-Brava. The whitewashed complex is tucked away in the countryside. With just four suites and one separate house, it immediately feels intimate. The house is ideal for those travelling with family: you have the whole house to yourselves, complete with all the amenities, including plenty of privacy.
The old feeding troughs on the grounds are a reminder of the farm’s past, and the authentic benches with azulejos add character to the outdoor spaces.
As I step into my room, it immediately feels zen. The light, soft natural tones create a peaceful atmosphere. And how lovely is it to have a separate dressing area? It’s not only practical for your clothes, but also provides space to neatly store your suitcases. As soon as I open the doors to my room, I look out over an endless garden with centuries-old olive trees.
The pace of life here is wonderfully relaxed. In the morning, you start off gently with a leisurely breakfast on the terrace. Bowls full of fresh fruit, including papaya this time, are laid out for you. Everything is taken care of and nothing feels rushed.
After breakfast, you’ll naturally feel like lounging in the garden for a while or taking a dip in the pool. At Cenoura-Brava, you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.
Convento do Espinheiro: enjoy five-star luxury
But it gets even better. Less than a three-minute walk away is the five-star Convento do Espinheiro hotel, housed in a former monastery dating back to the 15th century. You can already see the immense monastery from the farm. The short walk there along the country lane is a wonderfully relaxing moment.
As a guest of Cenoura-Brava, you’re welcome to use the facilities at this hotel. And that means you can also enjoy the luxury of a five-star hotel during your stay.
The building has been carefully renovated, and fortunately many of the original features have been preserved. Although the hotel is larger, there is a calm, serene atmosphere. This is partly due to the high, white arches of the former monastery. From the hotel, you can walk straight into the old chapel, which has remained almost entirely intact.
The grandeur of the building is impressive. It is a special experience to walk around here yourself and imagine how much history has unfolded within these walls.
History and modern luxury
In contrast, there is modern luxury: a spa with a sauna and Turkish bath, a gym, a large swimming pool with a proper pool bar, various restaurants and an atmospheric lounge.
Everything is in place for a comfortable stay in a five-star hotel. The enormous, well-maintained garden is also a wonderful place to take a stroll, with olive trees and cypresses dotted here and there, alongside neatly laid-out flowerbeds.
It is precisely this combination of old and new that makes the hotel so appealing. Inside, this is evident, for example, in the stylish white cocktail bar, which provides a lovely contrast to the adjoining courtyard, where the old gates and arches of the monastery are still clearly visible.
Dining in the monastery’s old wine cellar
The historic atmosphere really comes to life in the evening during dinner at the Divinus restaurant. Here, you literally dine in the monks’ former wine cellar, beneath the authentic stone arches. As you walk to your table, you feel as though you’ve been transported to heavenly spheres.
The elegant décor and tranquil atmosphere instantly make dinner a special occasion. The dishes combine traditional flavours from the Alentejo with a modern twist and are prepared using mainly local produce. Every dish is a treat in itself, as is the service. A genuine five-star service, yet approachable and without being overly formal.
If you’ve enjoyed all this luxury, do make sure to walk past reception to pick up a leaflet containing stories about the Portuguese kings who regularly visited the monastery and the role it has played in Portuguese history over the centuries. Suddenly, you’ll find yourself looking at the corridors you’ve just walked through with fresh eyes.
A bit of Portuguese history
After taking in all that history and the impressions of the monastery, it’s wonderful to return to the tranquillity of Cenoura-Brava. As far as I’m concerned, this place certainly deserves five stars too.
It is precisely the combination of these two completely different places that makes this concept so enjoyable and surprising: the intimate tranquillity of Cenoura-Brava and the grandeur and luxury of the Convento do Espinheiro, just a few minutes’ walk apart.
The perfect base for exploring Évora
These accommodation options also provide an ideal base for visiting Évora. The town is compact and charming. It’s wonderful to wander aimlessly through the narrow streets and discover how old houses have simply been built into the Roman aqueduct.
There are also some remarkable places to visit, such as the Templo Romano, the well-preserved Roman temple in the historic centre, and the Capela dos Ossos, the extraordinary chapel entirely decorated with human bones and skulls. It might sound a bit macabre, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s a must-see!
With the title of European Capital of Culture 2027 on the horizon, Évora is also set to be in the spotlight.
The city is also a great base from which to explore the diverse Alentejo region further, from white villages and vineyards to vast landscapes dotted with cork oaks and olive trees.
How do you get there?
Cenoura-Brava and Convento do Espinheiro are about a 15-minute drive from the centre of Évora. It takes about one and a half hours to get there from Lisbon by hire car. A car is also ideal for exploring the rest of the Alentejo from here.
This article has been published on Reisleven.nl on the 1st of October.
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