Chill out at a quirky country house in Portugal

Today's post comes with a feast of photos - Monte do Chora Cascas (Hill of Weeping Bark) is one of those places where you have to keep snapping! This stunning country house is situated in the relatively undiscovered Alentejo region in Portugal. It's set in beautiful gardens with amazing views across fields from the swimming pool terrace.

There are just six rooms (named after angels), and they're all beautifully stylish. Think colour-washed walls, four posted beds, and embroidered bedspreads. Instead of noisy air conditioning, there are ceiling fans, and shuttered windows to keep you cool. I visited in the hot month of September, and never felt the need for air-con.

Two rooms share a terrace (see photo below) and the others have a shared patio. There are so many outdoor spaces to enjoy though, that you don't really need a private space apart from your room. 

The day beds by the pool, for example, are the perfect place for an afternoon snooze, or to read another chapter of your book while escaping the heat of the midday sun.

The sitting room is the essence of cool - think comfortable leather sofas; wooden coffee tables; quirky chill out music, and design books to die for - a lovely space in which to have enjoy a pre-dinner drink from the honesty bar before heading out for dinner.

Speaking of meals, the only one available here is breakfast (local bread; cakes; jams and cheeses to die for!) but Montemor is only 2km away, and there are plenty of local restaurants to choose from. It's also a lovely place to explore by day or night. 

The highlight of the outdoor space at Monte do Chora Cascas is the swimming pool in the garden. It's open all year round (but bear in mind it's not heated), and there are loads of loungers and chairs in which to chill out. I booked two nights at the house for a special occasion, and it not only lived up to my expectations - it exceeded them. If you're looking for a place that oozes cool in which to chill out, then you won't go wrong booking a stay here. 

For more information, click here to visit the website.