While simplicity may seem like king here, intricate details and carefully thought-out design rules all. Run by the same family for 200 years, São Lourenço do Barrocal has now fallen into the hands of eighth-generation owner José António, who has transformed the resort into an eco-friendly mecca. Wander around the orchard, vineyards and olive groves that pepper the 780-hectare estate, before cooling off in the 20m-long cemented pool, framed by blossoming meadows and walled gardens. Come evening, dine at Alentejo, the traditionally rustic hotel restaurant that serves food grown on the estate or sourced locally, and follow with bottle of the estate’s own wine at the carved wooden bar underneath a sculptured ceiling.

Only an hour outside of Lisbon, this beachside hotel is the perfect place to wind down after a city break in Portugal’s capital. Perched on a cliff top overlooking the Atlantic, this modern hotel features concrete and glass exteriors so you’ll never be without sea views. Stay in Nha Cretcheu bedroom to drag yourself out of a four-poster bed and choose between a morning soak in a bathtub overlooking the gardens or an invigorating outdoor shower. While away the hours strolling along the beach or sunbathing by the infinity pool, before dining on food cooked in a wood oven and charcoal grill, paired with cocktails made using ingredients from the garden.

More than a luxury hotel, this sustainable country estate is dedicated to leaving a positive impact on the world, providing unique experiences to connect with rural life. The unspoiled Alentejo region is known for its verdant olive and cork fields, rugged landscape and charming fishing towns. Arriving at the property, you’ll find a collection of 38 whitewashed cottages with simple wooden terraces, surrounded by pine forests and fruit trees. There are four swimming pools, a permaculture garden and a smallholding with donkeys, pigs and goats. The beaches of Zambujeira do Mar and Carvalhal are a short drive away. Pack a picnic with homemade goodies from the farmshop, or enjoy lazy lunches at the Craveiral FarmTable by Alexandre Silva, a farm-to-table foodie destination in its own right.

Rise with the sun for morning yoga sessions before heading to the beach for a day spent riding (read: falling beneath) the waves. This surfing mecca has a store filled with top-quality gear, so don’t worry about using up any precious packing space. Soothe aching muscles in the hotel’s rooftop hot tub, followed by a lunch of freshly caught seafood or a juicy burger at Noah Blue Café. Afternoons should be spent snoozing by the infinity pool – heated by solar panels as part of Noah Surf’s eco-friendly ethos. As de rigueur for a bohemian surf spot, all rooms are made of upcycled materials and repurposed furnishings, paired with ocean views.

If you love wine and spas, this is the place for you – L’AND Vineyards pairs the two. After awakening to views of rolling hilltops and crumbling castles, start your day with some serious vinotherapy (wine-based spa treatments) before swanning off to the Michelin-starred restaurant for a breakfast of fresh farm eggs, house-made bread and charcuterie. Take your morning coffee outside to dip your toes in the tranquil, adults-only pool while admiring the sleek architecture of the pristine, white-walled buildings. Evenings should be spent with multiple bottles of the estate’s red wine, gazing at the stars thanks to the retractable roof in your suite.

Melting naturally into the many crests and crowns of Portugal’s mountain-filled peak district, Casa de São Lourenço’s sleekly minimalist lodge is a haven for design lovers. It’s nestled deep in the Serra da Estrela region, so you’ll no sooner have dumped your bags in your room before the rolling landscape beckons you to explore its bountiful meadows. Hike up mountain trails or rent bikes or sleds from the hotel; there’s never a shortage of activities. Alternatively, if you’re looking to kick up your heels rather than strap on the snowshoes, the hotel’s scandi-inspired spa offers specialist treatments infused with herbs foraged from the surrounding mountains, administered with a side order of panoramic views. Alternatively, the heated hotel pool is fed by a natural spring which trickles down from the mountain tops.

Set in the depths of a Unesco-protected valley, this riverside hotel is the perfect place to which to escape. It’s designed to enhance views across the landscape, so you can expect every corner to offer jaw-dropping vistas over the valley. Book a room with windows facing the Douro, and be sure to trial each of the hotel’s three pools – our favourite is the rooftop pool, complete with a bar and tiered platforms for sun loungers. Dine at Raiva, where local cuisine and traditional Portuguese dishes are paired with the region’s best wine.

In the depths of Alentejo’s vineyard-filled countryside, Herdade da Malhadinha Nova offers a bucolic retreat. A blue-tiled infinity pool lies hidden among gnarled olive trees, but the spa is where we’d recommend passing time. Take a dip in a Turkish bath, or try an olive oil-based Thalgo treatment – you’re guaranteed to leave squeaky clean and oh-so relaxed. If you do have any residual stress, head straight out to the vineyards to help out with squashing grapes or try horseback riding through the fields. End the day with a wine tasting in the bar’s glass-walled corner, watching the sun disappear beyond the horizon.

Understated design has never looked so alluring. Found in the quaint village of Carvalhal, this former rice factory has been transformed into a sleek design sanctuary. White-washed walls are offset by rustic thatched roofs and raw-wood interiors, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame rice fields. Book into the villa, where muted colours let outside vistas steal the show, and walls are adorned with traditional Portuguese decor.

The Soviet Union meets California in the geometric white structure of this mid-century villa, a 50s experiment in modernist architecture. It’s located in a sleepy patch of Alentejol, set incongruously against olive groves and grazing sheep. Not far away, you can spend a day exploring the Roman ruins and Baroque churches of Evora. The boutique hotel has just seven individual suites, two of which are in separate cork-clad bungalows. There’s an infinity pool set among wild meadows and cacti, and an almost alien landscape of boulders beyond. The newer junior suites have an “eco-pop” decor, with an eclectic mix of natural materials, local handicrafts, furniture and art inspired by the 60s.

A former olive mill transformed into an art gallery is the
beating heart of this distinctive hotel, a magnificent structure of
white-and-pink marble emerging from the arid hillside. Surrounded
by 13,000 olive trees, it has just five luxury suites, two with
private marble swimming pools. Each room is furnished with original
art-nouveau pieces, and panoramic windows offer 360º views across
the Serra d’Ossa forest and the medieval castles of Evoramonte and
Estremoz. The kitchen serves up an ever-changing menu using
home-cured meat and veggies from the organic garden, washed down
with local wine.

In the heart of Douro wine region, this 400-hectare winery and vineyard is the epitome of conscientious tourism and low-key luxe. Sleeping in an old barn may sound adventurous, but clean lines and modern architecture have transformed these spaces into the most stylish of hotel rooms. The farmhouse is owned by Gran Cruz, the world’s largest exporter of port, and serves as a sort of flagship for the Unesco World Heritage site. The interiors are artfully designed, with whitewashed stone walls and flashes of turquoise and orange firmly rooted in the farm’s 500 year history. Help out with the olive and grape harvest, enjoy a wine tasting or simply unwind in the infinity pool overlooking the valley. A weekly-changing menu is served in the original farm workers’ canteen, showing off the region’s produce.