Casa de Terena
Alentejo, Portugal
Press Reviews
The Guardian, January 2009
"Casa de Terena is a sweet hilltop hideaway dressed in
bougainvillea, shaded by castle walls and with rooms decked out in
local hippyish crafts. Take a mountain bike safari, canoe down deep
gorges, totter down the garden lane for evening drinks or stay in
for feasts such as herb-infused lamb with potatoes cooked with
cinnamon, salami and honey."
Conde Nast Traveler (US)
"Casa de Terena, a grand house in the Alentejo hamlet of Terena,
has been a bishop's mansion, a courthouse and a school in its
300-year-old history and is now a pretty guesthouse with a modern,
light look. African touches, including bowls of ostrich eggs and
Malawian paintings, reflect the owners' origins - Jeremy
Doveton-Helps is from Cape Town and his wife, Stella, from
Swaziland. The hotel offers four-wheel-drives through the
countryside, archery at the neighbouring castle, cookery classes,
gastro-tours of private palaces, gourmet picnics in nearby forts
and candlelight suppers in cork oak dotted fields. There is no pool
at present, but the couple may lease a neighbouring orchard to
build one."
USA Today, February 2007
"Casa de Terena is a centuries-old bishop's house situated just
steps from the castle in the heritage village of Terena. Owner
Stella Doveton-Helps is originally from South Africa and has
trotted all over the world, landing recently in Portugal. She
welcomes you with a cocktail as she introduces you to her home,
which she and her husband Jeremy bought and refurbished a few years
ago. The six guestrooms have fresh, trendy touches and include a
daily breakfast of local ham, several types of goat and sheep
cheeses, orange and banana breads, yogurt and coffee. Stella has
culinary training and will make dinners upon request."
Guest Reviews
Reviews are only from people who have stayed there and booked through i-escape.
“The service of the current host Jose was perfect: welcoming, relaxed and knowledgeable. Whilst always there to provide a drink, a recommendation or a well-timed anecdote, he also knew when to leave us on our own to enjoy the beautiful peace of Casa de Terena. The house itself is stunning with an original Roman ceiling and dramatic views across the olive farms and vineyards surrounding quiet hill top village. We cannot recommend our honeymoon trip to Casa de Terena highly enough – a diamond in the dusty rough of Alentejo.
Whilst there is no swimming pool in Terena, there is one a short drive away in Alandroal where a day’s entry is €1.50 per person. Enjoy a glass of Borba (the region’s locally produced wine) whilst you are there, the Casa usually keeps a good stock in their cellar.”
Peter, United Kingdom (16.08.11)“Jose was a marvelous, worldly host, full of vigorous and fascinating conversation...his lovingly prepared breakfast was (no, really!) magical...”
william, United Kingdom (20.07.11)“Absolutely outstanding, exceeded our expectations and Stella is incredibly helpful and attentive.”
James, United Kingdom (24.05.11)“Stella's hospitality is exceptional”
brian, United Kingdom (14.10.10)“Stella makes you feel like you are at home - that is a real compliment. The breakfasts and "nibbles" in the evening really are amazing. We could not have asked for anything more - it was utterly superb. No need to say anything else!”
Guy, France (13.10.10)
