Villa Epicurea

We use the word “epicurean” for anyone with a particular love of food, comfort, or other luxury — but the historical Epicurus went farther than that. For the Epicureans, earthly pleasures weren’t pursued in a gluttonous way, but were tempered with wisdom and restraint. Pure hedonism in hospitality is a cruise ship, or the Vegas strip; Epicureanism is a stunning boutique-sized eco-resort in Serra da Arrábida, just south of Lisbon, featuring an organic restaurant and excursions to nearby wineries and nature reserves. Or, to put it a little more concisely: Villa Epicurea.

The good life isn’t for everyone — literally, because there’s just not enough room. Villa Epicurea is tiny, just three suites in the main lodge and a pair of cozy “eco-villas” that each sleep up to four. They’re comfortable, but thoughtfully so, stopping well short of needless opulence, and they’re all oriented outward, with views of the landscape from their balconies or terraces. The kitchen serves a hearty made-to-order breakfast, and the chef is on hand for dinners and cooking classes as well, while days are spent hiking, surfing, diving, or touring the surrounding countryside — all in pursuit of the pleasures that the Villa’s namesake held to be central to the well-lived life.