Set into the picturesque hillside of Ponte de Lima, Portugal’s oldest town, Carmo’s Boutique Hotel is surrounded by miles of rolling hillside, dotted with Terracotta roofs and fragrant vines. The hotel itself is a modern building, replete with much architectural flair, and nestles beautifully into its ancient surrounds.

Carmo’s serves lucky visitors a slice of Northern Portuguese culture with a large dollop of their own signature luxury style. From the décor to the food to the spa to the vast array of activities offered, Carmo’s offers guests the real boutique experience. The 15 bedrooms are all luxuriously furnished, but full of fun and kookiness and personality too. One can lay in the bath, Champagne in hand, and gaze across distant hills as the sun lazily sinks below a trail of reds, purples and blues. Downstairs, the walls are adorned with sepia photos of relatives past, and bookshelves heave with much-loved tomes gently illuminated by flickering candlelight.

The hotel menu contains lots of dishes local to the area with many of the ingredients grown in the kitchen gardens, but there are nods to other European cuisines too and the menu is varied and eclectic. The wine list is, of course, proudly and exclusively Portuguese and uncompromisingly excellent.

Deep in the basement of the hotel is the spa, an ode to relaxation. The gentle sound of trickling water is the perfect accompaniment to the panoramic views afforded from the pool. Tucked away behind the spa is a massage room, where guests can enjoy aromatic massages alone or as a couple.

The hotel offers a wealth of activities to its guests and caters for all tastes, providing riding hacks, drawing classes, rustic picnics and much more. Above all else, the staff at Carmo’s are simply marvelous, ever helpful and the perfect hosts. They tap into that most precious of things; a genuine understanding of how to make their guests feel truly special.

Carmo's Boutique Hotel

Award Winner 2015