Herdade da Malhadinha Nova

Set on a rural wine estate, the hotel is surrounded by rolling vineyards and olive groves stretching for 35 hectares; beyond that, the plains of Alentejo go on as far as the eye can see. The estate and surrounding countryside are populated by Alentejana cows and black pigs snuffling for acorns.

With white walls and blue-painted wooden furniture, the rooms and suites at Herdade da Malhadinha Nova wouldn’t look out of place on a Greek island. Stone-tiled floors and wooden ceilings give the rooms a rustic look, but touches of luxury are evident in the Philippe Starck lamps and furniture and Bruma taps and fittings, while the stone tiles are hand-carved by artisans from the Algarve.

The amenities, too, are anything but old-fashioned, with under-floor heating and iPod docks.The lovely bathrooms have mosaic-tiled walls, wooden surfaces and luxurious Bulgari toiletries. The spacious suites feature separate living areas and log fires. Rooms overlook either the vineyards or the outdoor pool.

At the hotel restaurant, traditional Alentejo cuisine is served up in conjunction with top-quality wines from the estate and beyond. Try classic regional delicacies like rooster giblets, black pork loins and Algarve mullet, either on an a la carte basis or from a four-course tasting menu. If you choose the latter, your dishes will be paired with some of the finest wines from the estate – cod with chorizo crust is served with Malhadinha white from 2007, while coal-cooked black pork tenderloin is paired with a Malhadinha red from 2014.

At the relaxing, modern spa, a wide range of wellness treatments are on offer from bamboo and hot stone massages to facials. There’s even a range of wine therapies, using the produce from the estate. The hotel also has a state-of-the-art gym, and an outdoor infinity pool which blends beautifully into the blue sky on the horizon.

Wine is very much the star of the show here, with a range of tastings of the red, white and rosé wines for which the estate has become famous on offer. Tastings are held throughout the week and can be enjoyed in conjunction with a picnic lunch out in the vineyards. A wide range of other experiences can be arranged by the hotel, including jeep rides, canoeing and hot air ballooning through the Alentejo countryside. Surf lessons are a great way to learn a new skill while exploring the Alentejo coast, while clay pottery, painting, and even boot-making workshops are among the cultural activities on offer.