Bed & Breakfast
Paradise in Portugal - Bed & Breakfast in Alentejo
Last cache: 13:39:16, lunes 29 abril 2024
Quinta do Barranco da Estrada, 7665-880 Santa Clara-a-Velha, Alentejo
Southern Portugal,
Portugal
Read guest comments
Up a 4km dirt track which the adventurous will love, and hugging the shore of one of the Alentejo’s largest freshwater lakes, the Quinta and its garden are simply the best for birdwatching and wildlife with masses of wild flowers in spring. Frank’s eco-friendly renovation of the original low house took years and then a row of guest rooms was added. These are pleasingly simple, with pictures, books, terraces and lake views.
Breakfast, lunch and supper - all home cooked by Daniella are served in the big extended living room and bar which has a warm, informal feel. Beyond huge windows (open to the sky except in winter) is a vine-covered terrace; further butterfly-bright terraces brim over with hibiscus, oleander, palm, jasmine, plumbago, cactus. Frank planted the garden specifically to attract birds and wildlife so book a tour (he is southern Portugal's expert) or sit quietly in one of the hides.
Walk down the garden to the jetty where you'll find boats and kit for canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing; swimming here is sublime and warm for most of the year. You'll also find a newly-built yoga shala overlooking the lake. This is a place of peace and much beauty - and star-filled skies on clear nights.
Características
- Wheelchair access
- At least one bedroom & bathroom accessible.
- Limited mobility
- At least one bedroom & bathroom accessible without steps.
- Children welcome
- Suitable for guests with children aged 3 and over.
- No smoking
- Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
- Credit cards
- Credit or debit card payment accepted.
- English spoken
- Host speaks English, whether perfectly or not.
- Air conditioning
- Some, if not all, bedrooms are air-conditioned.
- WiFi
- Wireless internet access available.
- Pets welcome
- Please let the owner know if you want to bring pets.
- Public transport
- Within 10 miles of a bus/train station.
- Working farm
- Or vineyard.
- Owner has pets
- Animals living on the property.
- Swimming pool
- On the premises.
- Bikes available
- On the premises to hire or borrow.
- Tennis court
- On the premises.
- Vegetarian meals
- Available on request.
- Licensed premises
- Alcohol may be served.
- Cash only
- Credit or debit card payment not accepted.
- Dogs welcome
- Dogs welcome in some public rooms.
- Handpumped ales
- Pub serves four or more handpumped ales.
- Wine list
- Pub serves eight or more wines by the glass.
- Food all day
- Food is served all day long.
- Babies welcome
- Suitable for guests with a baby or toddler under 3.
- Hot tub
- Available to all guests, but may require booking.
- Garden
- Grounds for guests to explore.
- Breakfast
- Available, but may come at extra cost.
- Self check-in
- Guests can arrive here and check in independently.
- EV charger
- Electric vehicle charging point.
Local points of interest from Frank McClintock:
Puntos de interés sobre la región de
Frank McClintock:
- Birdwatching - and nature in general - is our speciality and Frank, the owner, organises Guided Trips throughout southern Portugal for guests at the Quinta. It's an opportunity not to be missed!
- Canoes and SUPs are all included in the price of your stay - make the most of them and explore the lake's 250 kms of coastline.
- The fishing is stunning, with Carp and Wide-mouthed Bass being the targets.
- Swimming in the lake is de-rigeur - at an average temperature of 28º during the summer months it's the ideal place for children too as it's safe with no currents.
- The surrounding area's full of walking trails and the Quinta can supply you with detailed directions and picnics.
- There's a total absence of any noise from the outside world; no cars, trains, buses or planes - just the hum of insects and the trill of birds. "Paradise" it's called and it's as near to heaven as you'll ever get!
Guest feedback
"We drove from Lagos to Paradise to meet up with friends who were holidaying with Frank. We were made to feel very welcome immediately and our request to stay over and join them for dinner was immediately organised. The Quinta was truly a dream place. The views, the peace and tranquility, the rooms, the 3 course meal the friendliness of everyone there was an amazing experience. Even Honey the dog made us feel very welcome.
I would certainly recommend Paradise in Portugal.
"
Jim - ripon, United Kingdom
mayo 2017
"We really enjoyed the peace and friendly hospitality of the Quinta, and the excellent home-cooked meals. The lush garden is quite an oasis, and the adjoining lake is perfect for a refreshing dip or paddle on a warm summer's day. The rooms are clean and comfortable, with lots of character. At dinner-time we chatted with interesting people of various nationalities around the table, and enjoyed the ever-changing vista across the lake. Frank is an excellent bird-guide, and knows where to find the avian specialities of southern Portugal. Highly recommended."
octubre 2012
"We've never been on a 'birding' holiday before so didn't really know what to expect .... what we got was great trips out, brilliant guidance from Frank, lots of laughs, and so many 'firsts' we almost lost count. As for Quinta itself, what an idyllic place to stay. We had a charming bedroom with a cat theme which suited us down to the ground, a fabulous bathroom, and own terrace with a lovely view of the lake. We've never stayed in a hotel with such a warm, family feel to it - Frank and Daniela are a very special couple and made us feel part of the family in no time. "
septiembre 2012
"This is the best ever for a relaxing holiday in the middle of no where. Everything one could ask for is on hand here. Fresh water lake where one can swim as far as one likes to build up an appetite for the next delicious meal provided by the Quinta. I would recommend this hotel to anyone who wants a peaceful relaxing holiday in an enchanting eco friendly corner of the Alentejo, Portugal "
septiembre 2012
"The most peaceful and beautiful place to get away from the hubbub of city life. We loved the laid back atmospere and the opportunity to talk to other guests from all nationalities round the large dining table. The experience was more like a house party than a hotel, and we were treated to delicious, often home grown meals. Our children loved playing by the lake and walking the numerous dogs. They had no desire to go to the beach or anywhere else during our 8 day stay."
agosto 2012
"My first holiday in 6 years, and I chose to spend 22 days here. I was treated to 22 different starters, mains and desserts at the dinners (something a restuarant would be hard pushed to provide), all of which were fantastic and flavoursome. As a solo traveller, this was ideal for me as rather than being stuck in a sterile hotel room or a lone dining table, I was able to meet a wide variety of people from different countries at the communal dinner.
There was plenty of flowers and wildlife (Dragonsflies, Lizards and Birds) to simply enjoy visually or take photographs. It was a most welcome break and already planning my return."
septiembre 2011
"Charming place, charming family. Rustic and peaceful setting. We came for a 4 day break to just chill and relax and did exactly that. Some days, with the other guests off bird watching with Frank, we had the whole place to ourselves! Cold beer, warm sunshine (85 to 90 degrees!), swim in the lake, birds serenading us - very peaceful. Then back for Daniella's homely cooking and to hear tales from the returning guests of various rare bird sightings - if you don't know what a golden oriole looked like before you visited you will by the end of dinner!"
mayo 2011
"“Paradise” is hardly an exaggeration; the Quinta really is a blissful place to be. Over 13 years, we’ve spent a total of four weeks there and we long to return. The atmosphere is unusually informal, inviting and warm – always relaxed, often zany, and sometimes gently riotous though just as often it’s unexpectedly profound. Frank and Daniella - plus three lovely children, sweet and hard-working helpers, four incredibly amiable and well-behaved dogs, one cheeky parrot, etc - ensure that all ages and many species feel most welcome and at home. The accommodation is very comfortable, simple, homely and clean. The garden – with many secluded niches - is wonderful, as is the lake it leads to. Along with the views, the swimming is perfect, and there’s ample splashing and floating space and a bit of boating and fishing too – leaving aside the bird and wild life, which Frank knows backwards and for which the region is renowned. The only possible drawback (for some) is an inevitable consequence of the tranquillity and relative isolation. Especially if you are car-less, you’ll be 13km from the nearest village and other places to explore and eat. You’ll most likely be well content with the Quinta food and the company, though you might want a change if you’re staying for a week or more, and their high season meal and bar prices are pretty robust … the underlying (and arguably rather unfair) point being that you don’t want to even think about money in a lovely place like this. Having said that, don’t lose sight of the big picture: this is indeed a very special place. The adage, “they don’t make them like this any more” emphatically applies to Frank & Company and to their remarkable creation. We would certainly recommend it – though only to our very best friends."
septiembre 2010
"We totally loved the place. Far away from touristy areas, which we wanted. Owners have built the place themselves over the 20+ years with great beauty, wider area further never got developed, which is very attractive. Simple comfortable rooms with no frills but felt like home bed rooms, not "anonymous hotel like". South facing hillside, stunning views over huge lake with little boats and various little spots on shore to retreat, relax, rest and repair. Nice home cooked Portuguese food, eaten together with hosts and other guests creates very pleasant atmosphere without going at the cost of privacy (private eating possible too). Very much felt all the Love that had been poured into the place over the many many years. Living room very pleasant with lots of books, photos, fire place. Storytelling about birds, the history of the place, Portugal and Life added dimension of homeyness and the richness of life. A perfect holiday week for us."
julio 2010
Have you visited Paradise in Portugal?
Tell us your thoughts.
This Special Place to Stay is part of these collections…
Details
Accommodation:
- 8 Twin/doubles
- , 2 Family rooms for 4 - 5
Información de las reservas:
Minimum stay: 2 nights. 4 nights in high season.
Comida:(i)
Cerrado:
1 November - 8 March.
Dirección:
Quinta do Barranco da Estrada, 7665-880 Santa Clara-a-Velha, Alentejo
Accommodation:(i)
