Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa ★★★★★

Arriving at Évora means arriving in another culture, another climate, and another time. The Mediterranean lifestyle is firmly entrenched in this southern Portuguese town, yet there are remnants of its Moorish rule, remains of Roman temples, and of course, exquisite examples of Portuguese architecture. Évora is a vibrant university town, with a creative artistic and gastronomic culture. It moves confidently into the future while being considered one of the best preserved medieval towns of Portugal, and the finest example of the country’s golden age. On its outskirts lie mysterious megalithic monuments, some of the most ancient in Europe, which makes gazing out from the town to the surrounding Alentejo plains even more captivating. Within the city's ancient walls are some national treasures, among them our hotel, Convento Do Espinheiro *****.

Converted from a 16th-century convent, which lay at the heart of the city's religious and cultural life, this unique and outstanding hotel accentuates the beautiful architecture it has inherited through careful design. Some of the modern world's finest luxuries have been added, friendly and welcoming staff have been employed, and hey presto - it is now a first-class, memorable hotel. The whitewashed stone walls, arched doorways and manicured grounds make a stunning first impression. We arrived as the midday sun intensified the afternoon colours. As well as wrought-iron balconies, courtyards and cloisters, the contemporary additions to the building have been sensitively created and blend in harmoniously. All around, Mediterranean plants flourish. Olive trees, lavender and bougainvillea bring their colour, movement and scent to the stately grounds.

We checked into our Deluxe Room, I couldn't resist the allure of sleeping in such an old room with so many stories to tell. They were almost whispering from the walls, I believed I just needed to listen a little more attentively … The room was decorated to accentuate its history. It certainly captured something of the historical splendour of the hotel. Deep reds were interwoven with beige and gold in floral motifs and stripes. The colour scheme patterned the ornate headboard, the large draped curtains, and the intricate design of the rug. Mahogany antique furniture, a gold gilt mirror, elegant lamps and plush sofas finished off a regal-feeling room. There was a beautiful view of Don Sebastião from the window. Our bathroom had both a rain shower and a bathtub, with marble and wood features.

Walking around the hotel was akin to a museum tour, as the architecture was just so breath-taking. The Divinus Restaurant is located in the convent's ancient wine cellar. Dining on regional delicacies under the vaulted ceiling was a memorable evening. The cream serried curves stretched out above, with the ruby red of the chairs and the shining tiles of the floor made a striking visual impression. Our stay in both Évora and Convento Do Espinheiro was full of impressions like these – sensory stimulation that both relaxes the mind and encourages it to wander back to the times that created works of art so great that generations to come would still be enjoying them.