Conversas de Alpendre

The combination of design-hotel good looks and family-inn friendliness is a tough pairing to deliver, but that’s a nutshell description of Portugal’s Conversas de Alpendre. Set in the countryside of the Eastern Algarve, a mile or so inland from the Atlantic and a three-hour drive from Lisbon, it’s not just family-owned but family-run and family-made — and its effortless marriage of contemporary boutique-hotel style with locally crafted artisanal elements gives it a visual identity that’s totally unique.

The entry-level suites provide plentiful space and comfort, while an upgrade might net you a jacuzzi and a private terrace; the Family Apartment sleeps up to six, and the Tree House is unique, standing 20 feet above the ground, resulting in a panoramic view. Heritage architecture meets contemporary design, and classic Portuguese tiles and fabrics sit side-by-side with Bluetooth speakers, Nespresso machines, and sleek modern bathrooms.

And while there isn’t quite a restaurant, there’s something close enough, and probably quite a bit better suited to Conversas de Alpendre’s intimate atmosphere: plan a day ahead and you’ll have a seat at the communal table, where the hotel’s chef will craft a one-off meal from the day’s market-fresh local ingredients.