Herdade da Malhadinha Nova - Relais & Châteaux

Getting around the large property was easy enough: we tried the drivers, golf carts, and free bikes, all of which worked well depending on the time and destination. You can also rent an electric bike. I'm not very sporty, but I managed on a regular bike by taking my time. There’s plenty of nature and animals to see, including sheep, horses, and birds. Families can book a farm tour to visit the animals for a fee. They take care to respect the wildlife, including the many beautiful swallows and their nests. The grounds are made up of several small houses, each with its own staff, always available and happy to help. Breakfast and lunch are served in the houses, which makes for personal service and a calm atmosphere. It never felt crowded. The rooms are spread across the large natural estate, and the service was impeccable. All the staff were well trained, and the waiters clearly had hotel school training. We don't drink alcohol, but could still enjoy everything, even though wine gets a lot of attention. The restaurant was quite good, with very good ingredients and a good chef, though perhaps not quite at the same level as the rest. The tartar and dessert were excellent. I’d recommend staying as a couple or with children, whether you want to relax or recharge. For Europeans, it could be a great honeymoon option. Why spend thousands travelling far away when you can enjoy such good service nearby?

A real heaven on earth. Thanks again for a perfect stay. The wonderful staff always make me feel so welcome, and I’ll surely be back.

The first dinner was the Charme menu, made with produce from the farm. We came back for lunch the next day because we wanted to try the Chef’s cooking, and the polvo and other fish dish were both great. We’d happily return to enjoy the place again and see how the Chef’s doing. It feels a bit like coming home, just 100 km from home. Getting to Albernoa from the Algarve along the National 2 is a lovely experience in itself. This was our second stay, and the place still didn’t disappoint. You can tell the people here care about what they do, whether it’s horses, wine, or food. There are activities like riding, pottery, cooking classes, and wine tastings, or you can just sit by the pool with a book and a glass of wine.

My biggest regret is booking just two days. I tend to get bored easily, so I thought that would be enough, even after reading reviews saying two days wasn’t long enough. They were right, and I can’t wait to come back for longer. The whole team made the stay incredible. The rooms were gorgeous, the landscape stunning, and the wine and food delicious. I left feeling refreshed. You’ve created paradise, and I’m grateful to everyone there.