What is the name of your accommodation?

Montinhos

Could you introduce yourself and share a bit about your life, such as your interests, hobbies, or background?

I worked as a lawyer for 20 years, but I have always spent a great deal of time in the countryside, where my father’s family has owned properties for many generations, with records dating back to 1864. All my summers were spent there, and my daughters also grew up partly in the countryside.

My husband is a musician and vocalist from a legendary Portuguese band from the 1980s, and he soon became involved in the project of rebuilding Montinhos.

Our hobbies include gardening and travelling the world to discover gardens, art, music, literature, and cinema.

How did your property become part of your life? When did it happen, and what inspired or motivated you to take it on?

I inherited a herdade, a rural estate, from my grandmother, which included ruins from a former homestead where five families of workers once lived. The site had been abandoned, and I often showed it to friends who were looking for places to rebuild. One day, I realised that it was meant for me to take on this project, as the place felt incredibly special and seemed to be waiting for that decision.

This happened in 2015, and what followed was a long and deeply enriching journey.

What was the process of creating your property like? Tell us about renovating, furnishing, or styling it.

I began by speaking with the architect Pedro Ressano Garcia, whose work I have long admired for its subtlety and deep understanding of Portugal’s vernacular architecture. My intention was to rebuild the ruins with complete respect for the spirit of the place. The project was guided by a series of words: traditional, vernacular, austere, evocative, poetic, subtle, and quiet.

Pedro recognised the historical and architectural value of the buildings and carefully respected the original layout and shapes. We preserved the distinctive chimneys in their original orientation, along with their decorative details. These chimneys are strong visual elements and stand proudly above the houses, having witnessed generations of gatherings and conversations around the fire. We also restored the protective symbols that adorn them.

What makes your property truly special to you? Do you have any favourite spots, cherished memories, or personal touches that make it dear to your heart?

I had never visited this property before my grandmother passed away. It was considered somewhat of an overlooked place, as it was smaller and less impressive than our other family properties. My father used to take care of it, and even my young daughters would visit with their grandfather in his old, noisy Land Rover.

When I started managing my inheritance, I visited the property with the intention of selling it to invest in other estates. During that visit, the estate manager took me and my eldest daughter, Matilde, on a drive around the land. On the way back, I realised that this place would play an important role in our lives.

What makes this small rural estate so remarkable is its proximity to the rice fields. The constant presence of water during the summer is rare and almost magical, bringing a sense of calm that touches even the most restless mind.

The project and construction took seven years. The demolition process was carried out with great care so that as many materials as possible could be reused. We managed to preserve nearly every stone, beam, and roof tile for the reconstruction. The choice of new materials was straightforward, as we used local and traditional elements such as lime, schist, terracotta tiles, and bricks. These materials have been used in Alentejo for centuries, offering excellent thermal insulation and adding richness through their textures and natural beauty.

The interior combines inherited furniture, eighteenth-century tiles and paintings, with more contemporary elements such as the beds and kitchens. Our aim was to recreate a rural Portuguese atmosphere with a refined, timeless feel.

How would you describe the atmosphere and interior of your property?

The atmosphere is almost monastic: calm, contemplative, and shaped by a slower, more natural rhythm. In Alentejo, we describe this feeling as vagar, a gentle sense of wandering and slowing down.

Are there any sustainable or eco-friendly applications associated with your property that you are proud of?

The estate offers a rich diversity of landscapes, including rice fields, olive groves, pasture, cork oak montado, and woodland. We maintain a productive biodynamic environment.

We practise organic agriculture in the fruit orchard planted by my youngest daughter, Leonor, and in the olive grove, following permaculture principles. We are also developing a vegetable garden based on the same biodynamic approach.

In addition, we have installed an ecological septic system and treat all wastewater on-site.

What motivated or inspired you to rent your property to guests?

We have a family home nearby, and Montinhos was primarily rebuilt out of a desire to preserve and give new life to a place that means a great deal to us. Sharing it with others felt like a natural extension of that intention.

What can guests expect when staying at your accommodation? Share the experience, the highlights, and perhaps the best compliment you’ve received from past guests.

We will be opening this summer, so for now we have only received feedback from friends who have spent time with us there. They loved every aspect of the experience, although they may be a little biased.

The beauty of the landscape is truly striking. Even the photographer Luís Nobre Guedes was impressed, which meant a great deal to me, as appreciation from a trained aesthetic eye is a wonderful compliment. And the beds are exceptionally comfortable.

What do you hope guests will take away from their stay, and do you have any special tips or recommendations to make their holiday unforgettable?

I hope guests will connect with the way of life in Alentejo: its slower pace, the beauty of its landscapes, the richness of its cuisine, and the warmth of its people.

I would recommend exploring the nearby villages and taking the time to visit the beaches of Comporta, Carvalhal, and Melides, which are all within easy reach.