This is not your usual hotel. It's 4 star and not luxurious by any means but that's not the point -- you're here for the history, the beautiful landscape and the tranquility. The property is very nicely restored and carries lots of natural beauty and has an authenticity you won't find in normal hotels. Very quiet and more relaxing than most spas -- you might not hear a sound in your room save for a sheep or rooster once in a while. It's dark at night in this convent and a bit creepy in this dimly lighted place. There are some activity rooms but when I was there only about a dozen people inhabited the whole property and I was the only one at breakfast. Meals in the dining room were fine and dinner is very reasonably priced -- 4 course meal under 40 Euro. Get the grand suite originally designed for visiting royalty because it has a great terrace with vistas for miles around and the other rooms are a bit small and darker. It occupies its own wing of the convent along with an adjoining room and is a perfectly well appointed room. There is dial-up internet access available at the hotel office and cell phones work fine. Cable TV in the rooms with the channels you hope to find. There are a few thousand acres on the property where you can just walk around; the paths are more difficult than the guide book offered by the hotel says they are. It's a 45 minute drive to Evora, which is what you want to see in this region. It's 1:45 drive to Lisbon from the hotel. A transfer to Lisbon by taxi is 120 Euro. Definitely an interesting overnight choice if you are going to visit this region of Portugal. Service aspects were fine -- English speaking and helpful staff.

June 30th 1997
Sitting with refreshments in the shady cloisters while the Alentejo baked around us was heaven.
The buildings were beautiful, the azulejos amazing and the peace was perfect.

As it got cooler we were able to walk in the pine forest high up behind the convento and see it in all its glory.

The staff were always attentive and our evening meal was first class - Alentejo tomato/leek and almond soup, veal stroganoff/chicken with pine nuts, pudim flan (to die for) and wine cost us £40. We shared our table with a couple from Toronto and we were the only guests.

The converted cell made a luxurious bedroom and the bathroom was spacious and spotless.