Lodging Review | Herdade da Matinha
Tucked in the countryside between Lisbon and the Algarve, Herdade da Matinha is a 20 room oasis of calm, bringing simplicity back to the forefront of experience. Perfect for hikers or book lovers, Herdade da Matinha is located amongst miles of hiking trails and will entertain the most avid of trekkers, while their numerous communal living rooms and reading nooks (all with beautiful views) will have you curling up with a good book and truly unwinding on vacation.
The Costa Alentejana region experienced quite a bit of rain during our two night stay in May, so I took advantage of one of the cozy common rooms, made myself a warm cup of tea and finished a novel. While I read, rich scents drifted from the kitchen where the staff was preparing dinner for the evening. Seafood stew simmered for hours, homemade bread, and dishes seasoned with herbs from the garden on site made up our three course half board menu. The inn stays true to local dishes, each lovingly prepared throughout the afternoon, with the menu changing daily.
Every detail of Herdade da Matinha makes it easy to slow down. I took a relaxing yoga class one morning, then watched the frogs in a pool outside our room for hours. I sat on our patio and followed bees as they hummed from lavender to rosemary, and listened as the sheep moved through the pasture across the way, their bells clanging lightly in the distance. Each room is mindfully decorated in neutral colors with pops of color and accented with local art.
Two nights was just enough to enjoy the property and not feel too isolated due to its countryside location. I’m sure its even more splendid in early summer, when the sun is shining and the breeze is warm.
WHAT: HERDADE DA MATINHA
WHEN: EARLY & LATE SUMMER, FALL
WHERE: Cercal do Alentejo, PORTUGAL
PRICE: STARTING AT 84 EUROS/night
Overall, we give Herdade da Matinha 41 out of 45 stars!
