Dá Licença

Some two hours east of Lisbon, through countryside of wide, open plains dotted with olive groves and ancient, white-washed, hilltop towns graced with nesting storks, Dá Licença has brought a completely new level of lodging to this raw, authentic, corner of Portugal’s Alentejo.

A cluster of 19th century buildings stand at the heart of over three hundred acres of land, where 13,000 olive trees grow and corners of the region’s underground marble rocks, in soft pink and luminous white, push through the ground like snowdrops in springtime. In the main house, there are three spacious suites, one of which opens out onto an emerald green infinity pool. Outside , between fig and olive and rust-red cork trees, there are five more suites; two are in standalone buildings with private pools, the remaining three stretch out from the house between fig and olive and rust-red cork trees and come with roof top terraces and large courtyards.

Owners Vitor and Frank have created this little gem in order to pay homage to the arts and crafts, drawing widely on the region’s artisans to fill their rooms with woven rugs and and their bathrooms with white marble, green-veined, bath tubs and hand carved basins in neighbouring Estremoz’s palest pink marble. All of which sit against art pieces from the Jugendstil and Anthroposphical Design movements that Frank championed in his gallery in Paris in a previous chapter of his life.

Breakfasts are brought to you under an olive tree, in the cool of the house, or within view of the huge round swimming pool; freshly squeezed orange juice and eggs and homemade jams for the still warm, just out of the oven bread. Dinner could be cod with white bean puree and vegetables from the garden in front of the house, washed down with a local wine. Before bed, take a stroll outside and look up at the starry skies, famous here for their lack of light pollution.

 

Written by Mary Lussiana

• Restaurant
• Meals available in the Art Gallery (located in the rennovated olive pressing room), cooked by in house chef upon prior request
• Good wine list
• The owners, Franck and Vitor are happy to make wine tasting suggestions, and keep a few bottles handy
• Views
• Beautiful views of the surrounding olive groves and countryside abound
• Swimming Pool
• Pool available, with 2 rooms also featuring their own, private, pools
• Disabled access
• One of the property's 7 rooms has been adapted for disabled access
• Massage
• Massage available on request
• Laundry
• Laundry services available
• Adult Only
• Over 16s only
• Restrictions on children
• Adult only

• No pets
• Outdoor dining
• Sit-out Terrace
• Rooms with balcony/terrace
• Parking
• Wifi
• Room service
• Air conditioning

• Great walks
• The region invites walkers to amble through historic villages and over rolling hills through olive groves and rugged landscapes
• Museums
• The propert features its own art gallery, displaying Jugendstil and Anthroposophical design pieces to be truly immersed in
• Sights nearby
• The nearby town, as well as the region itself, offers exquisite rural charm, particularly the pink marble architecture

• Wine tasting
• Owners Franck and Vitor recommend local wines for tasting, enjoyment and pairing with meals
• Local markets
• The nearby town of Eztremoz hosts a busy Sunday market with local produce and crafts

Why do people love staying in your hotel?
It is the perfect place to enjoy nature and art, a retreat that evoques the vernacular arts and crafts of the untouched Alentejo.
What is there to do in the area?  Enjoy the silence, take time to relax with a protected and still wild nature, watch the incredible and romantic sunset. Visit historical villages and excellent wineries just nearby.
Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally?  Yes we do on reservation (48hours) we have a seasonal daily set menu. We can as well suggest good restaurants in the region depending on the wish of our guests.
Which are your most popular room types, and why? MOON Cube room (direct access to the main pool and orangerie) and the 2 suites with marble private pools : MY Pool and SKY Pool suites 
What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ? We are an adults only guest house.
What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? Dá Licença is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic moment and to escape from the busy life of the city.