São Lourenço do Barrocal

There’s an otherworldly feeling to São Lourenço do Barrocal, in the heart of the Alentejo, is one of the region’s most gorgeous farmhouse hotels. It’s also the most historical, as much of the farm dates from 1820, and there are some Roman vestiges and a megalithic menhir (standing stone) here and there.

A loving and complicated restoration turned the estate, which was once a working and self-sustaining farm, with 50 families living on the property, which functioned almost as a village.

The architect preserved all of the existing structures while fitting a luxury hotel inside of them. There’s a lot of lovely patina, and a feeling of being in a place out of time.

In fact, São Lourenço, which has been in the same family for eight generations, is still a working farm. It produces wine, olive oil, cattle, and virtually all of the vegetables, herbs, and fruits that it serves in its two open-air restaurants (one pictured at top).