Located deep in the heart of the Alentejo countryside, São Lourenço do Barrocal is a tranquil rural retreat set on a farm estate which has been in the same family for over 200 years. At its peak, 50 families lived here and built their own chapel, schoolroom and bullring surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.
Today, the whitewashed buildings have been stylishly renovated to give the estate a new lease of life with 24 elegantly rustic guest rooms and suites located in two adjoining wings as well as in a cluster of small one, two and three-bedroom cottages. The farm’s kennels have been converted into a chic farm-to-table restaurant, while the former chicken house doubles as a small shop. A particular highlight is the extensive spa created in collaboration with Susanne Kaufmann.
The property also boasts its own small winery where you can enjoy tastings or guided tours, stables and a small sand enclosure for rural hacks or riding lessons, an outdoor pool and a walled garden. There are also numerous walking and cycling trails around the grounds. The estate is part of a Dark Sky Reserve and by night you can go stargazing at the Alqueva Lake Observatory.
OUR OPINION:
A beautifully self-contained retreat, we love the rural setting of São Lourenço do Barrocal and the wonderful attention to detail that has been employed in its stylish regeneration.
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Photos of São Lourenço do Barrocal
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![São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz]()
São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz -
![São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz]()
São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz -
![São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz]()
São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz -
![São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz]()
São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz -
![São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz]()
São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz -
![São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz]()
São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz -
![São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz]()
São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz
Rooms
All the rooms and cottages at São Lourenço do Barrocal have been immaculately decorated in a charmingly rustic style, focusing on high quality, hand-made designs and offering high levels of comfort. The ground floor Farm rooms all boast stone floors, simple neutral decor and pretty shuttered windows. The bathrooms throughout are large and well equipped. Particular highlights include the views across the countryside and the town of Monseraz from many of the rooms and the small private terraces where you can relax and soak up the country air. All rooms have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a Nespresso machine.
Location
Located around an hour's drive from Évora, in the heart of the Alentejo countryside, São Lourenço do Barrocal is an idyllic rural retreat. The converted farm complex is surrounded by pretty meadows, olive groves and vineyards and feels like a wonderfully secluded oasis.
Food and drink
Breakfast is served in the rustic but elegant restaurant which once served as the farm’s kennels and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Decorated in an eclectic style, the room contains curios that chart the history of the farm and the families that lived here. The menu places a great emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine and features a wide array of fresh organic produce along with local Alentejo delicacies. Guests can enjoy an à la carte menu in the restaurant for lunch and dinner or during the day opt for something lighter from the small pool bar. It is also possible to arrange a picnic to enjoy out in the grounds.
Families
The hotel offers a kids’ club and babysitting service if booked in advance. There is also a small children’s pool in the gardens and the option of arranging treasure hunts around the grounds to keep any little ones amused.
Facilities and activities
Created in collaboration with Susanne Kaufmann, the spa at São Lourenço do Barrocal is a triumph. Relax in the sauna, book a private session in the huge cedar-wood hydrotherapy tub or take a yoga or fitness class in the gym. The property also boasts its own small winery where you can enjoy a tasting or a guided tour, and there's an outdoor pool and walled garden nearby. There are numerous walking trails around the grounds or you can explore on horseback from the estate's stables or take a riding lesson in the small sand arena. By night you can go stargazing at the Alqueva Lake Observatory which is located on the estate, part of a Dark Sky Reserve.
Tour ideas in Évora & the Alentejo
Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at São Lourenço do Barrocal as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.
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![Hotel M'AR De AR Muralhas, Évora]()
Hotel M'AR de AR Muralhas
Évora & the Alentejo -
![Hotel M'AR De AR Aqueduto, Évora]()
M’AR de AR Aqueduto
Évora & the Alentejo -
![Pousada Convento de Évora, Évora]()
Pousada Convento de Évora
Évora & the Alentejo
Experiences while staying here
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.
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Alentejo wine tour with wine pairing lunch ![Grape vine, Alentejo]()
Alentejo wine tour with wine pairing lunch
Alentejo wine tour with wine pairing lunch
Explore the wineries of the Alentejo region on a full-day tour that includes a wine-pairing lunch and visits to two wineries. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history and traditions of one of Portugal’s premier wine-producing regions.
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Évora & the Alentejo and nearby places
- Lisbon 95 miles away
- Estremadura 96 miles away
- Belém 99 miles away
- Sintra 110 miles away
- Algarve 103 miles away
- Coimbra 134 miles away
- Douro Valley 191 miles away
- Porto 198 miles away
- Braga and Guimarães 222 miles away
- Madeira 667 miles away