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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

Alex, East Bergholt Oct 2018

The location is sublime - beautiful terraced gardens on the side of a hill with plenty of places to sit and admire the view of the lake. The food is unbelievably good (with a great wine list) - especially when you consider our party consisted of one vegan, one vegetarian and one slightly fussy vegetarian 11-year-old. Frank is a superb bird guide, and we went out for four days with him seeing many different habitats and birds. There are canoes and paddle boards to take out on the lake. The hotel is quiet and peaceful and Frank/Daniela are wonderful hosts. Can't recommend highly enough.

Karen, Santa Rosa Oct 2018

We enjoyed staying in this beautiful natural garden hillside retreat. It was the quietest place I have ever been. Daniela is a wonderful hostess and our meals were delicious. The staff was friendly and fun. We enjoyed dining with the other guests at the large table and made new friends that week. One becomes family staying here. We came to birdwatch. Frank was an excellent guide and we explored the plains to the east and the coast to the south-west. He knows where to look for target species! Great Bustards, Yes! Black & Griffon vultures, Yes!

Lesley, DISS Sep 2018

We NEVER go back to a place we have been before BUT we made an exception for the Quinta and returned to a most beautiful, peaceful and friendly holiday spot. Frank's birding knowledge is superb and the hospitality is just right. Dinner en famille; trips to see birds if you want to go; water sport if you want to stay around, or just be in the sun, soaking up the traquility. It's a special place and one I hope we will be able to return yet again!

Ash, London Sep 2018

I’ve been coming to the Quinta since 1990(!) and there are a few reasons why... this has become one of my truly happy places on the planet; as soon as you arrive you cannot help but feel relaxed. The scenery is stunning, but the Quinta is so much more than a gorgeous lake and some lovely views. When you enter you become part of the fabric; part of the family. From family breakfasts on the terrace to entertaining dinner party style evenings, Frank, Daniela and all the crew make you feel incredibly welcome - a home from home. This is my second visit this year & I’m already planning the next one!

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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.