Welcome to Refúgio da Vila!

Described by Christina Hippisley
(Editor of Merricks Media Ltd, England)

“Located in the small  town of Portel in the heart of the Alentejo, one women’s dream is now becoming reality. Sofia Vieira, the 42-years-old owner of Refúgio da Vila, has taken a majestic but run down mansion in the heart of the village and, over the past five years, built it up into a very successful small hotel, where guests can feel completely at home and where the services are entirely personalized.

Built in 1830s, the house originally belonged to an important and well respected local family: Palhavã Amaral. Back then, the house and garden produced its own wine and olive oil, raised horses, pigs, rabbits and cattle and grew a variety of vegetables in the garden, much as it does today.

The hotel opened in January 1999 with 12 beautiful rooms in the main house, with a further 18 garden rooms being added at the end of 1999.

Guests stay either in the main house, with its large and airy suites and rooms, plus a large sitting room and snooker room, with open fireplaces, or in the garden annex, where former estate cottages and stables have been converted into more rooms and meeting rooms.

The hotel has also a large pool in the gardens, ideal for families in the hot weather and a great focus for long lazy summer days.

Adega do Refúgio, the hotel’s restaurant, much patronized by the local landed Alentejo families, was created downstairs out of the original  horse barn. Here we can taste some of the recipes from the Refugio da Vila’s Cookery School.”