Herdade da Malhadinha Nova

Style

Wine and wicker

Setting

Bucolic Beja

We’d come to Herdade da Malhadinha Nova for its stellar chef. And working winery. And golden Alentejo scenery. Oh, and the glittering infinity pool, set in green, green gardens. Did we mention the spoil-you-rotten spa? With peaceful private casas and charming country suites it's the ideal Portuguese hideaway.

Facilities

Rooms

Ten, including three suites.

Checkout

Between 7am and noon. Earliest check-in, noon.

More Details

Rates include Continental breakfast, which is served sociably around one table in the bar. When booking an activity exclusively, an additional charge of €50 applies per activity.

Also

Relax in the sleek spa: have a Turkish bath, get bubbly in the Jacuzzi, and indulge in a massage – there are wine- and olive oil-based Thalgo treatments.

Hotel Closed

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (24 and 25 December) and from 1 January to 1 February.

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Room Service

Spa

At the Hotel

Spa, gardens, library, selection of CDs and DVDs, free WiFi throughout. In rooms: Dux bed, flatscreen TV, iPod dock, Bulgari bath products. The Suites at Casa das Pedras and exclusive-use Casa da Ribeira and Casa das Artes & Ofícios each have a private pool too.

Our Favourite Rooms

Flower has zingy lime-green styling; it’s also the only room that has direct access to the pool. Families will appreciate the extra leg-room offered by the Junior Suite, or the utter peace and quiet – plus some very slick mod-rustic styling – in the exclusive use Casa da Ribeira and Casa das Artes & Ofícios, which handily have a fully equipped kitchen and private pool..

Poolside

There's an infinity pool set in the vineyards, with dark wooden decking and vivid blue tiles. Book a Suite at Casa das Pedras or one of the hotel's exclusive-use casas and you'll have a pool to yourself. Guests staying in a suite at Casa do Ancoradouro will have access to a shared swimming spot.

Packing Tips

Wellington boots for stomping through the vineyards and olive groves; a nail brush to clean your toes post-grape-squashing; riding boots and jodhpurs for exploring the countryside on horseback.

Also

Guests get free bike hire, a wine tour and a tasting, to help them settle in.

Children

This hotel is better suited to couples - leave the children at home!

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Stake out seats clustered around the glass walled-corner, for the best vineyard views.

Dress Code

Relaxed rustic.

Hotel Restaurant

This is the first building guests come to (rooms are set further back, in the thick of the vineyards and cattle fields). The set-up hints at food’s importance here – the chef, Joachim Koerper, has a Michelin star, and his take on typical Alentejo fare – chickpea stew, giblets, game, and delicious chocolate tart – lures in locals too. Decor-wise, the restaurant has a split personality: one half feels rustic, with wooden furniture and a fireplace, the other side is modern, with glass walls and white and emerald wicker chairs.

Hotel Bar

There is a little drinking area in the main hotel building with relaxed lounge music and glittering bottles, where wine tastings are conducted and breakfast is served.

Last Orders

Breakfast is served from 8am–11am (either in-villa or at one of the estate's casas); lunch is from 12.30pm–3pm; and dinner is an à la carte menu served from 7.30pm–10pm.

Room Service

Items from the restaurant menu can be ordered during the hotel's set dining times.

Planes

Faro airport is an hour and a half drive, served by Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from all across the UK, including Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool and London Stansted. EasyJet (www.easyjet.com) flights also depart from various UK airports, including Newcastle and London Gatwick. International travellers are likely to need to change in Lisbon, two hours away by car.

Trains

Beja station is 22km away, served by Comboios de Portugal (www.cp.pt), and with trains to/from Evora, Faro and Lisbon.

Automobiles

From the A2, you'll need to exit and follow signs for Beja; the hotel is a turning to your left. It’s definitely worth having a car, so you can explore your surroundings. Hotel parking won’t cost you a euro.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

A dynamic duo – Luis and Bruno – are the hotel’s ‘Guest Experiences team’: ask them about grape picking and grape-trampling (pulverising the fruit with your toes) during the August harvest. Try out the Jacuzzi and the Turkish baths in the spa, and indulge in treatments. Have a yoga lesson, go horse riding in the vineyards and countryside, and have a cookery class with the hotel’s Michelin-starred chef. Embark on a boating adventure – the hotel has three man-made lakes (you can go fishing, too). Luis and Bruno can arrange hot-air-balloon rides, canoeing, and day trips to Evora for some sight-seeing: the old town counts mediaeval walls and a Roman temple among its historic lures. Quad biking, target shooting, treasure hunts and orienteering missions will keep older children and teens entertained. Have a guided wine tasting with one of Malhadinha’s expert wine makers – you’ll sample the Monte da Peceguina red, white and rosé, and nibble typical local cheeses.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .