A wine lover at Ecorkhotel, Ecoresort in Alentejo – this is where you

Ecorkhotel in Alentejo . Waking up in a hotel made of cork among hundreds of thousands of cork trees – isn't that every wine lover's dream? I think yes.

Ecorkhotel: Peace, cleanliness and regularity.

Peace, cleanliness, and regularity. At the Ecorkhotel, you'll find peace and quiet, because here you'll find everything, yet nothing at the same time – you're in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by cork oaks and olive trees. That's okay, though, because the hotel has its own restaurant, a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and a donkey.

Sustainability is paramount.

The Ecorkhotel recently changed its name to Tivoli Évora Ecoresort , because sustainability goes beyond just cork. Several principles were established. Maximum energy efficiency There was one of them. The hotel was designed by architect José Carlos Cruz, who wanted to do this by recreating a traditional Alentejo village—but with a modern, new, and above all, sustainable twist. The funny thing is, I only heard this at the hotel, but I immediately understood what they meant. Earlier that day, I'd filled up my tank in a super whitewashed village; all the houses were white. But Odemira, a village 200 kilometers north that I often visit, is also completely whitewashed. Aha, so that's the Alentejo.

The hotel consists of a main building, where all facilities (restaurant, bar, swimming pool) are housed under one roof, and 56 whitewashed houses, known as the "Alentejo Village." The main building is covered in cork and uses geothermal heating and solar panels for hot water.

Cork has also been used beneath the white layer of the houses, which serves as acoustic and thermal insulation. Each house has a surface area of 70 square meters and features a bedroom, a sitting area with a sofa and desk, a private bathroom, and an outdoor area with two relaxing chairs. And last but not least: each house has Wi-Fi and its own coffee maker.

Local food and wine

Start your day right with a hearty breakfast at 'Cardo,' the hotel restaurant, where you'll have a beautiful view of the rolling Alentejo landscape. What a wonderful way to wake up! Coffee, tea, yogurt, juices, cereals, pastries, fresh fruit, pastel de natas (naturally!), and a wide variety of toppings – it's pure indulgence. During the day, you can dine out in Evora, or simply relax by the pool and order a burger or salad from the bar.

In the evening, you can enjoy a lavish dinner at Cardo. The menu (made of cork) is Mediterranean-focused, featuring many traditional Portuguese dishes and wines. I chose Porco à Alentejana , seasoned pork with cockles. One of my favorite dishes from the Alentejo, which I've also eaten many times at Celso in Milfontes (highly recommended) and once tried to make it myself .

The restaurant has a fairly extensive wine list. National classics (Moscatel de Setubal, various ports, and Douro wines) are complemented by a number of local favorites. The only point for improvement is that they don't have many open wines. This would certainly be an option during peak season; they could collaborate with some local winemakers. It would be great for guests to discover the regional wines, and it would be a perfect promotional opportunity for the winemaker. A win-win situation!

Evora and the Bone Chapel

The historic town of Évora is just around the corner, about a 10-minute drive away. If you're there, be sure to visit the Capela dos Ossos, or Bone Chapel. It sounds a bit macabre, and it is; a chapel made of bones, but the underlying message is beautiful. It was meant to remind the people of Évora that everyone ends up the same.

Also going to the Tivoli Ecoresort in Evora?

Go for it! This will be your most relaxing holiday ever. I recommend this hotel to anyone who wants to let off some steam and unwind. You can do that perfectly by the pool, during a relaxing massage, or a half-hour soak in the Turkish steam bath.

The room rate varies depending on the season, but I just checked the price for 5 nights at the end of September and it's €610 (based on double occupancy including breakfast). Going on a solo retreat? Then you pay €560, including breakfast.

Want to know more? Then check Booking.com .