Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa, Évora

• You'll stay in a beautifully converted 15th-century convent, surrounded by Alentejo countryside and just 10 minutes north of Évora. 
• Choose between luxurious traditional rooms in the main building or sleek modern midcentury digs in the newer wing.
• You can sample Alentejo flavors at the elegant restaurant in the convent's former wine cellars, or dine on lighter fare in the peaceful cloisters.
• Cool off with a dip in the outdoor infinity pool, or book a treatment in the tranquil spa, complete with heated pool, Turkish bath, and sauna.
  

• The location just outside of Évora means you'll need a car or a transfer to reach the Old Town. 

Authenticity

Convento do Espinheiro's origins date back to around 1400, when legend tells of a vision of the Virgin Mary appearing here in a thorn bush (espinheiro in Portuguese). Its importance as a pilgrimage site led to the founding of a convent and church in 1458 devoted to the order of St. Jerome, which also hosted the Portuguese royals when visiting Évora. You'll still find beautifully preserved cloisters, gardens, and chapels, but now a gourmet restaurant occupies the monks' former wine cellars, and the luxurious rooms are a far cry from their spartan origins. To get the full picture, make sure to join the concierge for a complimentary evening tour, and don't miss a visit to the Gothic church—complete with a gilded Baroque altar, azulejo tiles depicting the life of St. Jerome, and a series of soaring ceiling frescoes.

Location

The estate sits nestled among the rolling Alentejo plains, a few miles north of Évora. There's a surrounding 20 acres (8 ha) of gardens, olive groves, and vineyards to explore, though you'll likely want a car to make the most of the more rural setting. Évora's UNESCO-listed Old Town (including landmarks like the Temple of Diana and the Chapel of Bones) is a 10-minute drive away, and Lisbon and its airport are 1.5 hours west. There's plentiful free parking on-site as well as EV charging stations.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 92 air-conditioned rooms fall into two main categories—those in the original convent have a traditional feel, with carved wooden headboards, velvet textiles, and opulent silk drapes, while rooms in the newer contemporary wing embrace a stylish 1950s design, with colorful modern art, Philippe Starck lighting, and midcentury-inspired furniture. Most rooms include balconies, with views over the garden or the Alentejo countryside, and bathrooms are sleek and luxurious, clad in Estremoz marble and equipped with rainfall showers and deep bathtubs. For the ultimate in luxury, book the Suite Real, where you'll feel like you've stepped back in time among its ornate antiques, oil paintings, and crystal chandeliers.

Amenities

The hotel's dining options include Divinus, which serves elevated traditional cuisine under the vaulted arches of the convent's original wine cellars, and Olive, which offers a more casual take on Italian flavors in the former kitchens. Light meals and drinks are available in the airy cloisters and around the pool, and there's an atmospheric wine bar tucked into the stone cistern that once collected the monks' rainwater. Book a treatment at the quiet spa, with its indoor pool, Turkish bath, and sauna, or head for the large outdoor infinity pool, where you'll find sun loungers shaded by ancient olive trees and sweeping views of the countryside. There's also a well-equipped gym and tennis courts available to guests.

Family-Friendliness

Convento do Espinheiro is very family-friendly, offering kids' menus, a playground area, and two dedicated swimming pools for children and babies. Extra beds can be added to rooms at an additional cost (free for ages two and under), and you can request adjoining rooms for larger groups.