I spent a weekend near Portel with a group of friends and this restaurant was simultaneously the worst and the most expensive we have been to. Although the environment tends to be classier than the average restaurant in the area, it is really not worth it. All dishes we ordered were poorly prepared and incorrectly seasoned, and the desserts were... More

Been there in July 2010, and planning to return again as soon as possible. Although rates are a bit expensive, the hotel is like a safe haven in the heart of the Alentejo. The rooms are great, as are the gardens, the swimming pool and the terraces. The staff was always very nice and helpful to us, including changing the... More

this was a one week cooking program at this charming hotel in the beautiful alentejo region. along with a daily cooking class we also went touring- a different place every day. palaces, castles, wineries. the cooking class was a relaxing treat- we were greeted by candlelight and wine and were shown how to do everything. the hotel was a treat,... More

My husband and I toured Portugal during the 2 first weeks of September and we stopped at this hotel on our way to the Douro Valley coming from the Algarve. Location is so so because there is not much to do in Portel. We have been told to stopped in Portel specially to see the castle but we were more... More

We had a lovely stay at this hotel, although a pity it was only for 1 night. The room was absolutely great & spacious, nicely decorated, comfortable with good beds, nice bathroom. Refugio da Vila has a beautiful & absolutely cosy lounge on the 1st floor with open fires and a very inviting seating area where you can read a... More

we went there traveling from Algarve to Oporto and sotoped there to have dinner. the hotel is an old manor converted to a cosy hotel. the meal was a hymn to rural portuguese cuisine, with aromatic herbs who give the food a speciall flavor. the wine as excellent. And the price was ok. Go there and enjoy. PS: they a... More

A few years ago, my wife and I wanted to go to a cooking school. We looked at Italy and France and discovered that they were very expensive. We stumbled upon a cooking school in the Alentejo area of Portugal (100 miles from Lisbon) almost to the Spanish border. We had been to Portugal a few times before and spoke... More