From 2019 onwards Monte Saraz has new owners, who will no longer offer accommodation services.
Apart from the elegance of its traditional architecture, Monte Saraz offers the comfort found in any modern residence (such as central heating). It includes the Casa de Lagar (the main building) where breakfast is served, containing the two suites, and four small separate farmhouses, furnished and decorated in a rustic Minimalist style, with the occasional example of ethnic art collected by the proprietor, Marc Lammerink, during his numerous journeys.
A privileged space, in which to rest far away from the confusion of the city, the estate (‘Monte’) is surrounded by bird-song and by the renown olive grove of Pega. The houses give direct access to gardens dotted by ponds covered in water-lilies and to a citrus fruit orchard, which invite you to take your time relaxing, sunbathing, reading at your leisure, with perhaps only an interlude to bathe in the refreshing swimming-pool.
At night, you can have dinner under the starry sky, close to the swimming-pool, having as scenery the illuminated medieval castle town of Monsaraz and, as musical accompaniment, the chirrups of crickets and cicadas.
Casa de Lagar ('House of the Olive-Oil Press')
Spacious, yet hospitable house, with the owner in residence. Each hidden corner displays Marc Lammerink’s taste for detail and for arts and crafts. In the winter months breakfast is served in his large sitting room, although the doors are always open to anybody who wants a friendly chat. At this time of the year, the fireplace is always lit; an invitation to sit, read and socialise in the armchairs around it.
The room, decorated in warm shades of yellow and red and examples of craftsmanship from all over the world, mixes the old with the new, giving it a cheerful and homely atmosphere. The enormous kitchen maintains the original vaulted ceiling, as well as the rustic marble benches, where old utensils and fresh products of the region are available, just like in old times.
Suite Forno, Duplex and Suite Fonte
Double rooms with private bathroom and WC, heating and TV. These are decorated in shades of red, giving them a warm, intimate ambience. Two suites with a mezzanine with an extra bed are located on the east and west wings of the Casa do Lagar (main building), giving direct access to the lake and the swimming-pool. Another one is located down the Casa da Fonte and has its own garden and private entrance.
Casa da Nora ('Noria House')
Separate building decorated in rust and terra-cotta tones, it contains a fully-equipped kitchen, bathroom and a big, main room with the traditional 'Alentejan' fireplace and TV. It is possible to accommodate an extra two persons on the sofa bed. In the double bedroom, white and yellow prevail, which is just as peaceful as the view of the private garden and the noria ('Nora') belonging to the farm that once stood here.
There is another bedroom (Quarto Borboleta) with two separate so-called Dona Maria beds and a private bathroom. This bedroom can also be separately entered.
Casa da Horta ('House of the Vegetable Garden')
The Casa da Horta is a typical farmer’s house from the nineteenth century. It consists of a fully-equipped kitchen with vaulted ceiling. One of the two double rooms is decorated in blue tones and the other is completely white, each having access to a private bathroom. The house also contains another room in case of need, which means up to seven people can stay here. The room, with an old fireplace and TV, gives access to a patio perfumed by the rose garden opposite and is protected from the sun by a leafy vine trellis - the ideal space to get lost in a good book.
Casa da Nogueira ('The Walnut Tree House')
This independent house has recently undergone restoration. Sited around a green and purple garden, with an enormous amphora and covered by the old walnut tree. It contains a room (with TV)overlooking the garden, a big double bedroom, private bathroom with closet and a small, fully-equipped kitchenette. It is possible to accommodate an extra two persons on the sofa bed. The house is right next to the main swimming-pool shaped by the arches of an old olive oil press.
Casa da Fonte ('Fountain House')
This separate and quiet house with two floors was built recently, observing the architectural traditions of the Alentejo. It is located next to one of the gardens and close to one of the fountains of Monte Saraz. This gives the house a particularly relaxing atmosphere, which the decoration in green merely accentuates. On the first floor we find the large living-room with a fireplace, the kitchen and a double bedroom. It is possible to accommodate an extra two persons on the sofa bed.The bathroom is on the ground floor. Suitable for more romantic souls, the Casa da Fonte enjoys a superb view of Monsaraz and the orchard, surrounded by the eternal murmur of the fountain, flowing just alongside.
One of the suites (‘Suite Fonte’) is also located on the ground floor and can be rejoined with the house.
Casa do Forno ('The Oven-House')
After the restoration in this house is now an ample common space room located, where often breakfast is served or sometimes workshops are held. It is fully equipped including internet access (‘wireless’). The place is sited around an aromatic herb-garden and a rose garden. The big space is decorated in warm shades of yellow, covered with nice pieces of wall tapestry and other examples of craftsmanship from Africa and Latin America. The 'alentejan' fireplace gives it a warm atmosphere. Another entrance leads to a private garden where lemon trees abound.
The house also gives access to a double room, with mezzanine separate bathroom and entrance (‘Suite Forno’).
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