Quinta de Santo António — Hotel in Elvas

Following the easing of the COVID lockdown in Portugal and after careful consideration, I decided to enjoy the June bank holidays away from home and Quinta de Santo António, in Elvas, was my choice.

I enjoyed the experience from the very first minute: immediately after booking, I got an email from reception with all the information regarding the new COVID precautions and procedures that the Quinta put in place to guarantee the safety of its clients.

I booked my time of arrival so that I was the only one in reception and all communications between me and the Quinta during my stay - which included billing and ordering breakfast - were done via whatssapp.

Don't forget to read through the rules and procedures that make this Quinta eligible for the Safe & Clean seal as a safe destination for you and your family during these dire-straits times.

The room was very pleasant and comfortable, with a brand-new TV and hundreds of channels to choose from.

As this is a very hot region, very efficient AC equipment is available in every room, bearing in mind that, in common areas, AC delivery is banned in order to prevent the virus from spreading.

All in all, if you feel really hot, you have two amazing options: taking a dive in the 30-metre-long-pool or retreating back to your AC-equipped room and set it up to a 22 degree-Celsius temperature.

Don't be shy to take a nap. It's reinvigorating and provides you with the necessary energy to enjoy the Quinta to its fullest potential.

And what about the food? The Quinta has the best culinary secret hide-out place in Alentejo, if not in the whole of Portugal.

Behind of that magic touch, there is a name, Sonia - who is the resident Chef at the Quinta.

Never mind breakfast – yes, it is great as it will provide you with a wide array of items on offer - from fruit-flavored yoghurts to freshly-cut fruit, including custom-made omelets, fried, boiled or poached eggs.

If you don't want to hang in there with the crowd, you can have your breakie delivered to your room for a nicely, reasonable fee of 5 euros.

But breakfast is only the beginning.

So let's get back to Sónia – if you want to go for the full foodie experience at the restaurant, the Quinta’s chef will tease your taste buds with regional delicacies’ turn-ons that range from seafood "Cataplana" to Iberian pork cutlets, including baby-lamb steaks, Quinta-style steak and an exquisite patê to kill and die for.

When you combine all these experiences and you cross them with price, you will be sure there is nothing that compares in terms of value for money in a free-COVID-19 environment.

I will be back....

Following the easing of the COVID lockdown in Portugal and after careful consideration, I decided to enjoy the June holidays away from home and Quinta de Santo António, in Elvas, was my choice. ||||||I enjoyed the experience from the very first minute: immediately after booking, I got an email from reception with all the information regarding the new COVID precautions and procedures that the Quinta put in place to guarantee the safety of its clients. ||||I booked my time of arrival so that I was the only one in reception and all communications between me and the Quinta during my stay - which included billing and ordering breakfast - were done via whatssapp. ||||Don't forget to read through the rules and procedures that make this Quinta eligible for the Safe & Clean seal as a safe destination for you and your family during these dire straits times. ||||The room was very pleasant and comfortable, with a brand new TV and hundreds of channels to choose from. ||||As this is a very hot region, very efficient AC equipment is available in every room, bearing in mind that, in common areas, AC delivery is banned in order to prevent the virus from spreading. ||||All in all, if you feel really hot, you have two amazing options: taking a dive in the 30-metre-long-pool or retreating back to your AC-equipped room and set it up to a 22 degree-Celsius temperature. Don't be shy to take a nap. It's reinvigorating and provides you with the necessary energy to enjoy the Quinta to its fullest potential.||||And what about the food? The Quinta has the best culinary secret hide-out place in Alentejo, if not in the whole of Portugal. ||||Behind of that magic touch, there is a name, Sonia - who is the resident Chef at the Quinta. ||||Never mind breakfast - that is included and doesn't really count because it's standard. However, this standard breakfast will provide you with a wide array of items on offer - from fruit-flavored yoghurts to freshly-cut fruit, including custom-made omelets, fried, boiled or...

We've just spent two nights here as part of our tour of Portugal and Spain. Honestly I wish it was longer. The house and gardens are absolutely gorgeous, the room is clean and comfortable, the bathroom good, the food excellent and the staff friendly, welcoming and helpful. Many of them speak very good English and the menu has English translations which is helpful. We did half board as it is outside Elvas (although very close) and we didn't want to go searching for restaurants in the evening. Very glad we did because it's been some of the best food we've had since we got here.||||It's a very old building and furniture and fittings are very traditional, but we quite like that. The wifi isn't bad, better than in a lot of places we've been to, I've been able to use it with no problems. We don't have children with us but other guests did and I would say it's really child friendly.||||I want to come back here and stay for longer. Unbelievably relaxing. Can't recommend this place...