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Two white houses overlooking the rice fields of the Alentejo.
During our road trip through Portugal, we stopped at Montinhos, a brand-new bed-and-breakfast created by Mafalda and Rui in the heart of the Alentejo. Just an hour from Lisbon and about ten minutes from Alcácer do Sal, you reach the hillside of a small village where tranquility and birdsong quickly take over. Montinhos is everything I love: a family story, local materials, a strong spirit, and above all, a sincere project, conceived and brought to life with heart.
The estate belongs to Mafalda’s family and was taken over and restored after several years of work. Amid the olive groves and rice paddies stand two white houses: one offers three guest rooms, and the other—Casa de Cima—is an 85-square-meter house with two bedrooms, where we stayed. And then there’s the pool, set facing the rice paddies, which are so intensely green that they seem almost unreal. A simple, unspoiled setting, offering that rather rare feeling of being far away from it all.
Inside, every detail has been carefully thought out. Raw materials, carved wood, Portuguese tiles, local crafts, and carefully selected objects come together to create spaces that are simple yet full of character. I particularly loved the work they did with their artist friends: one of them created a painting for Montinhos, and the motif was then directly replicated in the pool using tiles. It’s a detail you notice immediately and one that perfectly captures how the place was built—surrounded by loved ones and craftsmanship.
And then there’s the light, the bathrooms adorned with those typical cream and blue tiles, the wood everywhere, and those huge, incredibly soft towels that I still remember. Nothing is meant to impress, but everything is just right. From the house, your gaze always returns to nature—the olive trees and rice paddies that change color throughout the day.
As soon as we arrived, a huge basket of fruit—as beautiful as it was delicious—was waiting for us in the house, along with everything we needed to prepare our breakfasts: fruit, vegetables, cheese, and local products. A generosity that reflects the hosts themselves.
Just below the house, a sunset stroll along the rice paddies is a must. You can also explore the rice fields with a farmer or enjoy a home-cooked meal upon request. Montinhos is exactly the kind of place that inspired me to create The Host: intimate, authentic, full of character, and steeped in history. A newly opened gem you can visit with complete confidence.
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Make your place shine
We’ll come and discover it for ourselves.
to share it with our community.















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