Travassos 11
ELVAS / HOTEL / TRIED & TESTED
When Lisbon-based interior designer Alvaro & his partner, João, a lawyer with a passion for history, made it their mission to restore a crumbling noble house into an enclave of eclectic beauty, neither of them could estimate the achievement that would ensue. Today, four years after the renovation began, Travassos 11 has awoken from its slumber, sitting proudly in pink on a cobbled street in one of Portugal’s oldest fortified towns near to the Spanish border, Elvas. Once the protector from the Moors, the conquistadors & the Spanish, this is a place that bubbles with ancient stories & medieval heritage.
Inspired by two different temporal sets, one an ode to the ornamental extravagance, the other, the discreet minimalism, the pair have moulded traditional opulence & pure serenity to create conversation between eight restful suites & several inviting living spaces. Graced with a never-ending catalogue of original features, old frescoes & century-old tiles are restored to reveal time old grandeur while fresh lounge terraces are respectfully renovated, offering quiet refuge from the winding city outside. The small walled garden & swimming pool are essential in the summer months when temperatures in this rural part of the country soar, while the cosy sitting room upstairs is a draw for the cooler months in the Autumn & Winter.
Room Service
Location: Elvas, Alentejo
Price: Suites start at 130€ per night.
Highlights: Dinner in the yellow chapel, overlooked by three sultry portraits of local women & surrounded by candlelight.
Our favourite room: The garden room with its low arched ceiling & doors out onto the terrace is quiet & cosy, while the rooms at the top of the house have private outdoor moments with views of the rooftops.
Services: Breakfast is served each morning in the decorative, tile clad dining room in the same way it would have been in Travassos’ former glory. Turndown service is provided & the house manager is on WhatsApp for all your needs.
Designed by One half of the owners is the founder of the Lisbon design house L’Elephant.
Photography by Design Escapes.
The Neighbourhood: Elvas is one of the most ancient towns in Portugal & exudes history dating back to Roman times. The nearby fortress was abandoned only a few years ago & is a pinpoint of medieval architecture. Some of the countries best wineries are a short drive away.
Travassos 11 is a member of the Design Escapes Club, tried & tested by us.
The Map
Travassos 11 is located in the ancient fortified town of Elvas, around a two & a half hour drive from Lisbon. Fly to Lisbon & rent a car to take a road trip, perhaps pairing it with a stay at some of our other Design Escapes on the way.
Download the Design Escapes Directory for local recommendations & to ensure you don’t miss out on any spots on your journey.