We went to the beautiful city of Alcobaça, in the west of Portugal, to discover the Montebelo Mosteiro de Alcobaça Historic Hotel, the new unit of the Montebelo Hotels & Resorts group, a hotel chain with a growing presence in Portugal and Mozambique. My fascination with minimalism finds a new form of expression here, in a project brilliantly achieved by the prestigious architect Souto Moura, winner of the 2011 Pritzker Prize.
The hotel is part of a wing of the Monastery of Alcobaça, namely the former Cloister of Rachadouro, a unique space of singular beauty. Here we find a charming environment that breathes history, culture and comfort, an invitation to discovery and contemplation. Long corridors, divided into two floors, invite to the silence that once lived between four walls. Neutral tones convey an aura of peace and tranquility.
A well-deserved rest can be enjoyed in one of the 91 Rooms and Suites (in the Double, Twin and Family category), overlooking the cloister or the city, soberly decorated by the architects Souto Moura and Siza Vieira. We don’t find paintings on the walls or decoration with intricate details, but simple and useful pieces, where wood is the main raw material, for a comfortable stay and with some details that will surprise you.
With a unique historic atmosphere, the hotel also has versatile meeting rooms with natural light and stunning architecture and a monumental event hall where the former Monastery Library was located, as well as a Spa with treatment rooms, sauna and an amazing indoor swimming pool, where the stone arches contrast with the clear blue of the tepid water, reminiscent of ancient Roman baths.
The Montebelo Monastery of Alcobaça also offers a large restaurant with a gastronomy of choice where regional flavors of excellence and the mastery of convent sweets predominate. The elegant decoration is complemented by the uniqueness of the Vista Alegre pieces that make up the table and give even more life to the other dishes. Cod Carpaccio with pickled vegetables, Trilogy of mushrooms with gratin goat cheese, Lamb rice with chestnuts and mushrooms à la Chef Cristina Almeida or Tagliatelle with lobster are some of the tempting proposals that we owe you the pleasure of tasting. At the end of the meal, it is impossible to resist the apple puff pastry with vanilla ice cream and the Estaladiço do Mosteiro (with filo pastry, egg jam, almonds, walnuts and sour cherry ice cream. We paired all meals with Casa da Ínsua wines, an own production of the Montebelo Group.
This Historic Hotel in the Monastery of Alcobaça, one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal and classified as a National Monument and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is the perfect setting for a family getaway or with a group of friends. A refuge that is synonymous with relaxation, traditional regional culture and time to re-energize with quality, combining natural beauty with the art of hospitality.
By Carla Branco