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Paradise in Portugal

Santa Clara-a-Velha, Alentejo
Bed & Breakfast
+351 283 933065
Visit owner's website

Per night
€145 - €375

10 rooms

Rooms sleep 2 – 5

Children welcome

Pets welcome

Babies welcome

Wild beauty and hundreds of birds on the shore of a freshwater lake. Frank and Daniella look after you in a homely, fuss free way

Per night
€145 - €375

Visit the owner's site and book direct with them. No fees or fuss from us.

Use our quick form to drop the owner a line asking anything you need to know.

Ask a question

The Experience

Up a 4km dirt track which the adventurous will love, and hugging the shore of one of the Alentejo’s largest freshwater lakes, the Quinta and its garden are simply the best for birdwatching and wildlife with masses of wild flowers in spring. Frank’s eco-friendly renovation of the original low house took years and then a row of guest rooms was added. These are pleasingly simple, with pictures, books, terraces and lake views.

Breakfast, lunch and supper – all home cooked by Daniella are served in the big extended living room and bar which has a warm, informal feel. Beyond huge windows (open to the sky except in winter) is a vine-covered terrace; further butterfly-bright terraces brim over with hibiscus, oleander, palm, jasmine, plumbago, cactus. Frank planted the garden specifically to attract birds and wildlife so book a tour (he is southern Portugal’s expert) or sit quietly in one of the hides.

Walk down the garden to the jetty where you’ll find boats and kit for canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing; swimming here is sublime and warm for most of the year. You’ll also find a newly-built yoga shala overlooking the lake. This is a place of peace and much beauty – and star-filled skies on clear nights.

We think you'll love

Watching the birds and other wildlife
Being so very far away from crowds, cars and buildings
Swimming, boating and fishing on the lake

You should know

No TV
No nightlife apart from lively conversation
This is a destination place, you're not near anything else

Essentials

EV charger
Swimming pool
Hot tub
Garden
Open fire / woodburner
Breakfast included
Breakfast available
Meals available
Vegetarian meals
Oven
Parking on premises
Free parking nearby
Accessible by public transport
WiFi
Television
Spa
Central heating
Limited mobility
Wheelchair access
Mobile reception
Hob
Bar
Barbecue
Licensed premises
Paid parking nearby
Air conditioning
Relaxation areas
Washing machine
Tennis court
Microwave oven
No smoking
Credit cards
Working farm
Owner has pets
Dishwasher
Pets welcome

Family friendly

Baby monitor
Books and toys
Children welcome
Babies welcome
Stair gates
High chair
Fire guard
Cot available

Nearby

Pub/bar within 3 miles
Restaurant within 3 miles
Shop within 3 miles

Activities

Bikes available
Food courses
Kayaking
Other courses
Sailing
Surfing
Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price: from €145
Surcharges: Singles €145-€180. Dinner, B&B €114-€137 per person. Extra bed/sofabed available €45 per person per night.

1 Family room for 5: From €200
8 Twin/doubles: From €145
1 Family room for 4: From €200

Information

Booking information

Check in: 12pm-9pm
Check out: 8am-12pm
Other details: Minimum stay: 2 nights, 4 nights in high season.
Closed: 1 November - 17 March.
Property: This property is part of a working farm or vineyard.
Owner has pets: Animals living on the property
Meals: Lunch €27. Dinner €37. Wine from €11.

Reviews

After a difficult road to get there, you arrive at a beautiful place surrounded by beautiful nature full of wildlife. You stay in a beautiful well-maintained room. There is a swimming pool, yoga room and sauna. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. There is no television, but there are books and games. A perfect environment to escape from a busy social life.

Wim Sawday's Inspector

Deborah, Portland, Oregon USA Jun 2022

Paradise in Portugal was the prefect end to our vacation. It was great to get to see this part of Portugal. The small setting and fabulous abundant meals gave us a chance to talk with the owners, staff and guests. It was all very comfortable in a quiet, lush setting.The beds & rooms were great. There's a beautiful lake to swim in and a bird hide on property.The two trips we took with Frank were unforgettable. He had created his own hides and gave us the amazing pictures he took of all the colorful, beautiful birds and wildlife we saw. Well worth the money and the trip to get there! Obrigada

Jennifer, Beaminster May 2022

Second visit here for birdwatching with Frank - that says it all - another great stay with interesting and friendly people, great food and the opportunity to relax pretty much away from it all.

Olga, Porto Apr 2022

Paradise Portugal gave me another perspective about watching, listening, and understand birds life! Photos published in birdinginportugal.com are amazing! Calm, Sustainable, Excelent Food, and a Warm and kind Team, its something, I found there!

Becky, Ely Apr 2022

Our week at Paradise in Portugal was perfect in every way and exactly what we'd hoped for - beautiful accommodation, great food, lovely hosts, fantastic wildlife. The Quinta is in a remote area, very peaceful with no traffic noise or intrusions, and has views over the Santa Clara lake. The lush garden is full of wildlife. The food was home made and delicious. We went on 4 birding trips and each one was great, we saw a real variety of birds and the local countryside and national parks are lovely. We hope to go again!

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Location

The neighbourhood

This is the most beautiful, unspoilt part of rural Portugal and you don't come here to do anything but stay (unless you enjoy going up and down the dirt track endlessly, in which case you can do that.) Frank's bird tours are legendary and sometimes there will be yoga groups so you could come to find peace in the shala. There are plenty of books to read and maps for walks long and short, strenuous or strollable. All food is provided for you but if you want a change there is a restaurant on the other side of the lake. The village at the bottom of the long track is sleepy and quiet but with two cafes. You are at least an hour away from both coasts and Daniella can give you a picnic lunch.

Local points of interest from Frank McClintock

Birdwatching - and nature in general - is our speciality and Frank, the owner, organises Guided Trips throughout southern Portugal for guests at the Quinta. It's an opportunity not to be missed!
Canoes and SUPs are all included in the price of your stay - make the most of them and explore the lake's 250 kms of coastline.
The fishing is stunning, with Carp and Wide-mouthed Bass being the targets.
Swimming in the lake is de-rigeur - at an average temperature of 28º during the summer months it's the ideal place for children too as it's safe with no currents.
The surrounding area's full of walking trails and the Quinta can supply you with detailed directions and picnics.
There's a total absence of any noise from the outside world; no cars, trains, buses or planes - just the hum of insects and the trill of birds. "Paradise" it's called and it's as near to heaven as you'll ever get!

Introducing

Frank McClintock

Frank is a maverick - one of those guys who just decides to do a mad thing and does it. So many years ago he bought this wild piece of land in Portugal - totally unterraced and unreachable - piled all his belongings into a red double-decker bus and drove out here. He created the track, the house and the rooms and the wonderful garden. He's made the place very much his own and now shares it with Daniella. He really does know everything that is worth knowing about birds and plenty of other wildlife.