Fascinating for its history, authentic for its charm and only one hour away from Lisbon, the Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa has given life to a 15th century convent, considered a national monument, where important nobles have outlined the history of Portugal. Convento do Espinheiro is tucked away in the scenic Portuguese countryside, in a centuries-old convent, where history, art and a dedicated staff open their doors and arms to visitors which is the ideal introduction to Portugal’s Alentejo region.
Set on 23 acres of stress-meltingly beautiful countryside at the edge of Évora, the region’s tiny, frozen-in-time capital city, the hotel is like a synthesis of everything that makes Alentejo so irresistible, a bucolic setting, incredible food, layer upon layer of history and a contagious local mellowness that seems to just saturate everything. It’s all been given new life as a result of the region’s rediscovery by the world’s most tuned-in travelers, and so you find Convento do Espinheiro, a gorgeous old convent from Portugal’s 15th-century golden age, looking as fresh as ever after the three-year renovation that turned it into a hotel. The Convento do Espinheiro Hotel & Spa is located in the building of a fifteenth-century convent and this building has been beautifully restored to a level fitting of this UNESCO World Heritage destination, it is considered a national monument and offers guests the perfect base from which to explore the city.
Over the last ten years the Alentejo has welcomed a series of smart hotel openings that have been attracting luxury travelers and health tourism. The Convento do Espinheiro has taken full advantage of its heritage, with a careful renovation that preserved architectural details, artifacts and the extensive gardens in a smart adaption, reinventing tradition to cater to the comfort of guests.
Rooms
The Convento do Espinheiro Hotel & Spa offers a total of 92 rooms with 6 different categories of room, including 6 large suites, decorated in a variety of styles to suit your preference. The standard Heritage rooms, as well as the Deluxe Suites and the Royal Suite are in the original 15th century convent, and feature classic styling and period detailing. The contemporary Design and Grand Deluxe guest rooms are in the striking new wings.
All offer comfort and luxury as a matter of course, combined with eclectic styles dating anywhere from the fifteenth-century origins of the convent itself through to the quirky styles of 1950s’ interior décor. Each visitor to this 98-room hotel is treated like a family guest. Elegant linens, fine furnishings and world-class service are characteristic of each guest room and suite at Convento do Espinheiro. If you really want to push the boat out, opt for a Deluxe suite with fine Bulgari touches or the Royal Suite, named after King John II of Portugal and occupying an impressive 110 square metres with sweeping views from the private terrace right out over the city of Évora.
Restaurant & Bar
It houses one amazing restaurant, the Divinus Restaurant, which is located the convent’s ancient wine-cellar converted into the Wine-Bar. It is an exclusive location, entirely dedicated to wine-tasting and the enjoyment of the excellent Alentejo regional produce. The Pulpitus Bar is situated in the ancient kitchen where the monks prepared the food for large banquets and it serves refreshments, cocktails and snacks. The hotel has a wine bar located in what was a gothic water deposit during the 15th Century. The wine bar has many exquisite wines on offer and provides wine tasting.
What to do
The hotel also has two pools, one indoor and one outdor and in this latter there’s a delicious bar that provides great summer heat relaxation. As facilities it also offers tennis and paddle courts with complimentary equipment and bike tours throughout the grounds and local area. The Spa has many relaxing or enervating treatments available that have been derived from different ancient cultures, brought to you in a meditative, beautiful and peaceful environment.
The Convento do Espinheiro Hotel & Spa occupies one of the largest leisure spaces of any hotel in this area of Portugal. There is a children’s playground and mini club to entertain the little ones throughout the day and a gymnasium combines to Spa is perfect for the health-conscious.
In the end
The Convento do Espinheiro is a quiet, refined and elegant place where to be. White-washed walls and a prominent 15th century church are visible from the driveway adding to the feeling of a retreat, yet one only has to enter through to the first courtyard to realise that this property is much less about contemplation than it is about some serious pampering.
The Alentejo is a lively region that offers a rich culture and a stunning countryside with an unique ambiance. It is known for its wines, and more recently, for its excellent world-class golf courses. Évora has been named as a UNESCO as a World Heritage City and can be reached by car within 90 minutes from the Lisbon International Airport. If you don’t believe about it, please watch the video above made by Nelson Carvalheiro.
