Sustainable accommodations in South of Portugal

Book sustainable accommodations in SW, Portugal

 

At bookdifferent.com we see so many good things happening in the travel sector. More and more destinations are making great efforts in taking care of their beloved destinations to make sure we can all enjoy it, now and in the future. Traveling brings joy, new experiences and it is proven that travellers are happier people. And the good thing is that we have to explore these amazing new destinations ourselves as well. Do you already know South of Portugal? We really fell in love with this beautiful Atlantic country.  And if you work at bookdifferent like Susana does, we of course did also check how these destinations perform on sustainability. Do you want to know more? Keep on reading!

We visited the region South West of Alentejo and really managed to find 4 great examples for you of accommodations that has integrated sustainability in their core business managed to surprise in everything! Next to this unforgettable experience for their guests, they also set a great example for the local community proving that going green really brings business in a way all stakeholders benefit. A true example for putting tourism into a force for good!

In 2012, this region won three national awards for best beach in the country: Zambujeira do Mar, Vila Nova de Milfontes and Odeceixe were the winners in an area of 1720.60 km², claiming a crystal clean waters, white sand, safety and outdoor activities in nature, which is complemented by the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. Since then, other awards are being rewarded to this region, one of which is the preservation of local culture and environment.

 

The vicentina route is a great example of this. We do understand that more and more travellers are exploring this part of Portugal. With all this information and looking for a sustainable point of view in the region, bookdifferent.com wanted to know more about how the hotels are adapting to this demand of ecotourists in the regions. It is therefore, that we travelled to Alentejo (SW Portugal) following the European trend to discover what this destination has to offer. We found four incredible accommodations that are really integrated the breathing nature as their starting point to make real improvements in sustainability, promoting a positive and conscious way of travel that benefits the local community as well. Based on GSTC criteria for accommodations, we asked the hoteliers several questions and we scored them according to the staygreencheck:

 

 Fully committed  On a roll    Getting there

 

TEIMA

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From an abandoned farm, the owners recovered this place in a very chic and modern way, by respecting the local architecture of the region, using wood in the main house, rooms and infrastructures, also stones and rock for the walking path and fences around the property.

Inside, you have the feeling of being in another world, where the warm environment, the silence and the strong smell of hearth bring you back to your childhood days during summer holidays.

The facility offers 7 double rooms, each one with a unique décor, swimming pool, laundry, solar panels, massages, fireplace, parking, rental bikes and a wide range of farm animals such as ducks, donkeys and dogs, that give you the real feeling of the countryside.  A fresh and local breakfast is served to the guests every morning, after the owner drives herself to the local market to buy fresh fruits, cheese and pastry. The place doesn’t offer lunch or dinner, but around there is a wide range of offers, from vegetarian, meat or fish. Teima was built for grown-ups that deserve some rest from their everyday busy lives, thus meaning kids under 12 years-old are not allowed in the facilities.As a result, giving guests a good night’s sleep and the feeling that every day at Teima is a brand new of a Sunday morning.

 

Bookdifferent.com staygreencheck for TEIMA

Sustainable Management

Fair & Social

Cultural Friendly

Nature & Environment

 

HERDADE DO TOURIL

Book HERDADE DO TOURIL for your next holidays

 

One step away from the sea, we found Herdade do Touril, a property with 365 ha from the year 1826. During the fascist years in Portugal, the farm was taken by the government and abandoned. After 60 years it was recovered and transform in a local accommodation, keeping the original trace, giving the feeling that we are coming in old farmhouse of the 19th century.

The strong sea breeze gives you a peaceful feeling and you can feel your body imbibed in pure air.

The facility offers 18 room and 3 apartments equipped for families, restaurant, bar, swimming pool, bike rental, guest and luggage transfer, babysitter, laundry and an outdoor fireplace to contemplate the starry sky. Some fruits and vegetables for breakfast come from the garden and other delicatessen arrive daily from local producers like the honey, jams, cheese, bread and pastry. During the high season, the hotel offers lunch and dinner to the guest, using local and seasonal products as fish and seafood.

In the facilities the guests can buy local products as jams, honey, local beverages and art on the small shop. The hotel also offers their guest a cultural evening with national and local music as fado or “canto alentejano”.

 

Bookdifferent.com staygreencheck for HERDADE DO TOURIL

Sustainable Management

Fair & Social

Cultural Friendly

Nature & Environment

 

SANTA-CLARA COUNTRY HOTEL

Book SANTA-CLARA COUNTRY HOTEL for you next getaway

 

Travelling 40km from the sea to the interior of the region, we founded Santa-Clara Country hotel. A recuperated building that was closed for the last 5 years. The actual owners recycled and re-used a lot of the furniture and utilities that existed in the building, all while recovering and modernizing the facilities.

With a stunning view over the Santa Clara dam, this hotel offers walking and bike tours to the hills, they also promote water sports in the region such as canoeing, paddling and other activities such as astronomy.

The facility has 18 double, twin and familiar rooms, 1 dog-friendly room, swimming pool, laundry, solar panels, train and airport transfer, free bikes, glass water bottles in the room, bar and restaurant. The breakfast is a typical regional served with fresh juice, cheese, sausages, eggs and pastry. Guests can order lunch or dinner in advance at the hotel. Guest can buy local products such as art, honey, jams and the famous “medronho” a typical moonshine from the region.

 

Bookdifferent.com staygreencheck for SANTA-CLARA COUNTRY HOTEL

 Sustainable Management

Fair & Social

 Cultural Friendly

  Nature & Environment

 

PARAÍSO ESCONDIDO

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After looking around to try to find a place to live and build a business, the owners saw in this region the possibility of a life time. They bought the land and started the project from scratch, creating the perfect niche between receiving guests and being in harmony with nature, taking advantage of what the local have to offer and minimizing all the impact created by businesses. Paraíso Escondido is one of that places that you arrive and you don’t want to leave! This place is just perfect.

The place promotes hiking and bike tours, During the low season the place promotes gatherings like yoga, workshops and cultural activities.

Hide at the top of the hill with a breath-taking view over the landscape. The facility offers 3 double rooms, 5 suits and 2 wooden bungalows, outdoor swimming pool, massages, laundry, charge for electric cars, solar panels and restaurant. During the day, guests can enjoy a light meal and for dinner, the chef and owner can prepare a special and local meal for you, following your wish and bringing her world travel flavours to the plate. The breakfast is fresh and local, with fruits from the garden, cheese, bread and jam from local producers.

 

Bookdifferent.com staygreencheck for PARAÍSO ESCONDIDO

 Sustainable Management

Fair & Social

 Cultural Friendly

  Nature & Environment

 

Note: The questionare to these hotels was an independent interest of bookdifferent.com to know more about non certified hotel. The questionare was based on GSTC criteria for accommodations but not verified by our advisory board.

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