Herdade do Vau

Herdade do Vau is truly an oasis tucked away in the heart of the countryside. While the journey to get there is a bit of an adventure—4 kilometers along a rocky road (more rock than dirt, despite the hotel’s prior description)—the effort is well worth it. It took us about 20 minutes to drive the track, so a car is essential, and once you arrive, it feels like a secluded escape, making leaving feel like a challenge in the best way. The hotel offers the option to pre-order dinner if arranged in advance, but we chose to dine at O Adro near Serpa, which we highly recommend. The hotel itself is set on a charming wine estate, with just a few rooms that make for an intimate and peaceful stay. The staff were warm and welcoming, adding to the overall relaxing atmosphere. Breakfast was delightful, featuring fresh bread, jams, cereal, eggs, tea, and coffee. The rooms were tastefully rustic, simple yet comfortable, blending perfectly with the countryside charm. The views across the valley were stunning, and we enjoyed the added amenities like the swimming pool and the tennis court, complete with rackets. It’s a perfect retreat for anyone looking to disconnect and immerse themselves in nature’s beauty.

Amazing stay We loved our stay at Herdade do Vau. The setting is beautiful and the staff are lovely. Only down point was the poor communication during the weeks leading up to our stay, kept having to chase them to confirm dinner, wine tasting and vineyard visit. We nearly cancelled our reservation because we didn't have confirmation that these could be booked, making it pointless to stay in a vineyard. They were only able to confirm dinner.

A special mention for the receptionist, who was charming and spoke perfect English making Check-in and check-out seamless. The property is surrounded by miles of olive trees and grape vines as far as the eye can see. The location of the hotel is superb. Pre-dinner appetisers and free wine were taken by a roaring fire before moving to the restaurant for the main event. The main course and homemade dessert were again accompanied by free wine. Dinner was eaten in traditional Portuguese style, sharing a long table with other guests. Chatting with the other guests made dinner a perfect evening. Our room was spotlessly clean, and the ensuite had free toiletries and a good supply of hot water. We had a good night's sleep on comfy beds and an excellent breakfast served at 9am with panoramic views of countryside. The wine was so good we ended up purchasing 12 bottles. We are so glad we chose to stay at Herdade du Vau instead of a miserable corporate hotel.