São Lourenço do Barrocal
MONSARAZ / HOTEL / TRIED & TESTED
Almost two centuries ago in Monsaraz, São Lourenço do Barrocal was created as a farming village, where over 50 families lived & worked. Having remained in the same family for 200 years, the baton since passed to the now eighth-generation guardian, José António Uva, who spent 14 years refurbishing the entire property. Breathing new life with old-world soul into his land & ancient farm buildings, José revived old lodgings, cereal stores, workshops, & stables along with an old bakery, bullring & schoolroom into an authentic hotel that we can’t stay away from.
The conversion of barns & rustic farm workers’ rooms into chic bedrooms & cottages comes courtesy of one of Portugal’s most respected architects, Eduardo Souto de Moura who, alongside José, has created a remarkable place of understated luxury & homage to Barrocal’s history. A farm-to-table restaurant, Susanne Kaufmann spa & sleek interior design by Felipa Almeida & Ana Anahory each lend a comforting & contemporary touch to the property which is surrounded by over 700 hectares of ancient holm oaks, cork trees, olive groves & vineyards. The fortified hilltop town of Monsaraz is a cycle or horseback ride away, & home to a small pastoral community & traditions of craftsmanship.
Room Service
Location: Monsaraz, Alentejo.
Price: Bedrooms sleep two while cottages sleep more, rates from 400€ per night.
Highlights: This is a real slice of Portuguese history so a stay here involves getting under the skin of what makes this part of the country tick. The service is outstanding & the design is at once simple, yet equally soothing.
Our favourite room: Suites & apartments that look over the town of Monsaraz are seriously spacious, with their own cosy living rooms & terraces.
Services: Two restaurants, a spa, fitness studio, farm shop & host of additional activities including horseriding, picnics, & other country activities are available too, including hot hair ballooning over the barrocal. Discreet, personal & attentive concierge are on hand for anything you need.
Designed by Eduardo Souta de Moura.
Photography by Design Escapes.
The Neighbourhood: A five-minute drive from the fortified town of Monsaraz, São Lourenço do Barrocal is surrounded by history. Dip into the town & wander the cobbled streets, dipping into tiny doorways & up stone stairs to see vast views of the countryside as far as the Spanish mountains.
Things to know: Don’t miss a visit to the nearby pottery town, São Pedro do Corval, which has the most highly concentrated number of ceramicists per capita in all of Europe.
São Lourenço do Barrocal is a member of the Design Escapes Club, tried & tested by us.
The Map
São Lourenço do Barrocal is located just outside of the village of Monsaraz, around a two hour drive from Lisbon. Fly to Lisbon & rent a landrover, taking a road trip while finding some freedom during your stay.
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