Casa do Terreiro do Poco

Smartly refurbished historic house with gardens and pool, close to Borba's castle-crowned centre

The Moors have held Borba, so too the Spanish. In its time it’s been pillaged and torched, but these days it’s known for its wine and its marble, and a sleepy peace now lingers in its sun-baked streets. Wander its mazy streets to find a castle, antique shops, old churches and elaborately carved portals.

This is the place to stay in town. The very pretty totally renovated house, a couple of streets back from the centre, fronts a thin slip of public garden, whitewashed walls now sparkling in the sun. Enter through a vaulted arch in which a candle chandelier hangs from a brick ceiling. Find a stone-vaulted sitting room with wood-burner and honesty bar, a garden pavilion for lazy breakfasts, orange and lemon trees in a nicely wild courtyard, a small saltwater pool with a sun-trapping terrace. Try cosy garden rooms which open to the terrace, an enormous suite with Juliet balconies, or a frescoed family room at the top of the house for views over town. You’re brilliantly positioned to dive into the Alentejo, so don’t miss Estremoz, the Serra de Ossa, Roman Evora or hilltop Monsaraz.

Highs

• The courtyard gardens give a sense of peace and space in the middle of town
• The frescoed double in the family apartment is a nicely unexpected touch
• The arched balcony of the small suite is a lovely spot to hide away
• The glorious Alentejo, one of Portugal’s prettiest regions, is on your doorstep

Lows

• You’re in the (small) town, so occasionally may get a bit of noise if at the front of the hotel
• The small pool is great, but it’s slightly overlooked