Vila Galé Collection

In a bespoke invitation, at Vila Galé Alter Real you can take part in regional wine and olive oil tastings, which take place in the fully restored traditional olive oil mill, with a traditional wood-fired oven and a wine cellar. Inspired by the history of the area, this boutique hotel in the Alentejo immerses its guests in an equestrian themed experience. Established in 1748, the Alter Stud Farm is home to the Lusitano thoroughbred and is considered to be the oldest in the world to operate non-stop on the same site. You can therefore enjoy a guided tour of the stud farm, but also go horse riding, take riding lessons or go hacking, whether you’re an expert or an amateur. Another suggestion is a visit to the falconry and its respective museum, in a range of options that allow you to enjoy the simplicity of nature tourism.
Meanwhile, in Elvas, Vila Galé has a boutique hotel in the heart of the city, right in the historic centre. This hotel is the result of the redevelopment of the former Convento de São Paulo, and takes Portuguese military fortifications around the world as its theme. Taking advantage of the original layout of the building – which after the demise of religious orders was no longer a convent and served as a military court, barracks and prison –, this hotel has 79 rooms (including seven two-storey suites), two restaurants offering regional cuisine, a bar, outdoor swimming pool, spa, hydromassage pool, steam bath and sauna. The renovated cloister contains two meeting rooms and a function room in the former church, where baptisms and weddings are held.

We leave mainland Portugal and head for the islands, where you can find another magnificent option, the Vila Galé São Miguel, in the Azores. Located in the centre of Ponta Delgada, the hotel has 92 cosy rooms in a historic building that used to house the São Francisco hospital. With the characteristic charm of Vila Galé hotels, this is a hotel with a theme, dedicated to the history of the Azores, but also to aviation and the Azorean communities. The facility includes a high-quality restaurant serving regional cuisine, a bar, an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and offers a wide range of massages and aesthetic treatments.
With its prime location, it is the perfect base from which to discover other parts of São Miguel, from its breath-taking landscapes to its many lagoons, inviting beaches and natural pools, as well as hiking and trails.
In addition to the Alentejo and São Miguel, the Vila Galé Collection’s most recent boutique hotels are in Figueira da Foz and Tomar and there are plenty of good reasons to visit either of them too.