Located above the town of Almodovar, Vale de Lama enjoys uninterrupted views of the surrounding hillside for a perfect get away from the bustle of daily life. Accommodation for up to 4 people is provided in self contained small houses. Each tastefully decorated with kitchen containing complimentary tea, coffee and welcome snacks. The ensuite shower room includes towels and complimentary toiletries. Buffet breakfast is included and served by the host from 8.00-10.00 to your room and can be enjoyed on the covered balcony overlooking the hillside views. Guests have full use of the pool area with covered bar area. Towels are provided. BBQ facilities are available for guests use. Wifi is available throughout the property. Which includes a games and reading room. Bicycles are available for exploring the local countryside. Parking is available at the property. 10 minutes drive from the property is the town of Almodovar, with restaurants, coffee shops and a variety of shops including a Pingo Doce supermarket.

What guests like most here is the peace. Vale de Lama sits on the hillside above Almodôvar, in the heart of the Baixo Alentejo, looking out over cork and holm oak country towards the Serra do Caldeirão. There is no traffic noise, no crowds and very little light pollution, so the night skies are extraordinary. This is a get away from it all place rather than a busy resort, and that is exactly why people come. Days here tend to be slow. Guests read by the pool, walk in the hills, then cook on one of the two barbecues in the evening. Breakfast is served on the balcony overlooking the hills and is the thing most people mention afterwards. Paulo looks after guests personally and is always happy to point you towards the good local spots. Dogs are welcome, and ours, Milly, is friendly and usually the first to say hello. The town is a short drive down the hill and is properly lived in rather than tourist facing. The Museu da Escrita do Sudoeste is small but well worth an hour: Almodôvar sits at the centre of the area where Iron Age stelae carved in the Southwest Script were found, often described as the earliest writing in Western Europe. There are a few tascas and cafés, a supermarket for supplies, and the Igreja Matriz with its Manueline doorway. Food is simple Alentejo fare and none the worse for it. Black pork, ensopado de borrego, açorda and migas, sheep's cheese, local honey and medronho distilled in these hills. Portions are generous and prices are still very fair. For walkers there are quiet tracks straight from the door and the Serra do Caldeirão beyond. The Rio Vascão has natural river beaches that are perfect on a hot afternoon. If you do want a day out, Mértola and its castle above the Guadiana is under an hour, and the Algarve beaches and the wilder Costa Vicentina coast are around the same. Faro airport is roughly an hour by car. Most guests plan several day trips and end up doing none of them.