The European summer has arrived in full force and Portugal has been doing well, especially in the extreme south, where the famous beaches of the Algarve are located, with cinematic landscapes. A destination that has everything to please: beautiful nature, lots of sun, unbeatable cuisine, great golf courses, excitement for those who enjoy the excitement, and secret corners for those looking for peaceful days. It was exactly in one of these corners that I took refuge to enjoy the most elegant, luxurious and quiet side of the Algarve, at Octant Vila Monte.
The hotel is located in Moncarapacho, in the municipality of Olhão, close to the border with Spain. The access road, lined with flowers and accompanied by beautiful cypress trees, tells guests that it is time to slow down and live unforgettable days.
The welcome is given by an extremely kind staff, in a very high ceilinged room, facing an impeccable lawn where a lemonade with kombucha is served. It won me over right away. The hotel’s exterior design was developed by architects Jorge Guimarães and Teresa Barão combining classic Portuguese elements with avant-garde features amid nine hectares of landscaped property, full of olive and orange trees, and with two swimming pools.
The interiors incorporate the traditional Algarve architecture, with all white masonry. I stayed in Secret Suite 7, in the new wing of the hotel, called Casa de Cima. Obviously my jaw dropped when I went up the steps, passed by the heated pool inspired by the lakes of the south of the country and found myself in a simple and elegant room stocked with lots of pampering and a wine from the region that had my name on the label. In the bedroom, a skylight let in a warm lighting and the wooden and straw decoration objects took care of the coziness. For dinner, the À Terra restaurant is close to perfection, both for its setting, with tables on the lawn, and for its rustic cuisine with seasonal ingredients, many of them coming from the garden itself.
I imagine you have realized that the hotel is a perfect getaway for those who want to visit the famous beaches Benagil, Dona Ana, Ponta da Piedade, São Rafael, Fuseta, the natural park Ria Formosa and the many charming villages of the region such as the white town of Alte and the capital of the Algarve Faro, without neglecting sophistication and tranquility.
Take note of this tip for when you go to the Algarve.
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