Quinta Camarena

The first part of the story is a familiar one: a pair of New Yorkers set out for Alentejo in search of their dream home. What brings it to our attention is the fact that, after they found it on a forested hillside near the beach, they didn’t keep it all to themselves. This is Quinta Camarena, a sustainability-focused boutique hotel that doubles as a laid-back retreat for surfers and yoga enthusiasts. Just two hours from Lisbon, it’s a convenient weekend getaway, though the owners encourage longer stays — billed as not-so-serious yoga, not-so-serious fitness, etc. — that bridge the gap between wellness and pleasure, between green juice–fueled guided meditations and convivial dinners with free-flowing wine.

The hotel comprises several traditional country houses connected by steep trails on the terraced landscape. Some rooms are located in the main house, with easy access to the outdoor pool and yoga deck, while others are a short hike uphill, enveloped by native trees and offering elevated views over the surrounding nature. All are quiet and filled with light, featuring locally crafted furnishings, high-end Portuguese linens, and organic bath products. Some are duplexes with large private terraces, others have clawfoot tubs and cozy reading rooms, and the largest is a freestanding four-bedroom villa with a kitchen and a patio with a grill. Breakfast and dinner, featuring seasonal dishes made with local ingredients are served in an open-air setting by the pool and gardens, and the nearby village of Cercal do Alentejo is a short stroll away.