In terms of disclosure, I am a Platinum member of Starwood who manage this Luxury Collection property so I both travel a fair amount and am used to a wide range of hotels for both business and travel. This hotel sets very high standards across the board! For anyone seeking a relaxing, adult, serence and peaceful environment you would be hard pressed to find a more incredible setting then this converted convent dating back to the 14th Century. Complete with it's own preserved, ornate chapel it is gorgeous and full of wonderful surprises in terms of decor and architecture. However, for us it is the way in which the staff went out of their way to create special and unique memories that I found to be outstanding in this world of homogenous, by the book hotel service. Rather then the professional ease at which highly trained employees defer to their guests, here you will find a genuine passion for service (rarely ever motivated by tips as Portugal does not have a culture of service recognition in the way of say the U.S). One night, sat by the pool bar, the chef asked if he may cook a custom tasting menu for us - two hours later we had worked through an outstanding meal for the princley sum of seventy euros for the two of us! Another time we returned to find champagne, or the Portugese version of that, in our room just because...We took a wine tour courtesy of the hotel to find that a personal and private tour had been arranged at no charge other then for eating at the winery.....and so it went on. Regardless of these extras, what we found here was an attention to detail and willingness to ensure we had a great stay that was across the board. Other stuff: the hotel is an hour and a half from Lisbon. Regular luxury coaches travel to Evora for 11 Euros each, much better value then a cab. The hotel provides a free car service into the town of Evora and know all the local great restaurants. The hotel has a great pool and spa. We were fortunate enough to be in one of 5 suites, very nice. There are only currently 59 rooms in total with plans to go to 90 in the near future. Still, a lot of personal service and attention and you may well be the only couple in a bar or area of the hotel - bliss if you ask me. There have been a few comments on the breakfast cost, but given that eggs are cooked to order, the juice is fresh and the variety is great, I would say it is great value. (Free to Platinum starwood guests). Overall a romantic get away, with fabulous service and a wonderful historic town to explore. LOVED IT!!

Dès l'arrivée au Convento de Espinheiro, on comprend que le séjour dans cette hotel sera exceptionel. Le site est déjà remarquable, un site type "hacienda" d'une blancheur éblouissante, bordé par les orangers et entouré de champs ... un décor du Sud de l'Europe de carte postale .... A l'intérieur, le service et les prestations sont tout sauf monastiques ... Un service discret mais agréable, sans conteste digne d'un 5*, toute l'application en service du Groupe Starwood ... Notre chambre deluxe faisait environ 35m2, avec une vue sur la campagne de l'Alentejo. La chambre est extrêmement confortable, le lit est divin, la salle de bain extrêment pratique, une véritable chambre de luxe ! Le lieu est superbe, propre et très bien décoré; bien qu'étant plutot fan d'hotels design et moderne, cet hotel me laisse un souvenir exceptionnel ... Superbe Spa, piscine intérieure très agréable + sauna et jacuzzi. Le restaurant est très bon avec une très belle sélection de vins, et le bar de l'hotel ( pourtant souvent insipide ) est très original, les cocktails maisons parfait et le service de très bon niveau ... Au final un vrai must de sérénité au Convento de l'Espinheiro, une expérience assez unique, et bien que le prix soit un peu élevé ( environ 200 EUR la nuit ), cela reste raisonable pour un hotel de la marque "Leading Hotel of the World"

we stayed in a heritage room in the convent which we reached by a spiral stone staircase. the room was spacious and spotlessly clean. we had requested a quiet room and this was provided. apparently the room was where isobela had entertained her future husband , Prince Alfonso before they married. When we arrived we were given some local liquer and a booklet of the history of the convent. Then the porter took our bags and gave us a historical tour en route to our room. He was well spoken and knowledgable with good english, as had all the staff dealing with guests. The heritage rooms are the furthest from the spa and pool but closer to the restaurant and bars. Within days staff knew our names, a plus side to smaller hotels. we ate in the restaurant, bar and pool side, all were good. The club sandwhich is excellent value for money. We also booked a wine tasting. The somilier was interesting, knowledgable and spoke good English. The selected wines were superb and we took one to finish off by the cloister. i needed some sewing done during the stay, the hotel insisted that the maid attended to it, even returning my call to check the colour required before the maid arrived and what an excellent job she did too, far better than my attempt would have been. The attention to every detail in the hotel was superb. The pool was not extravagnt but had all that was required for a bit of sunbathing and swimming. the toilet by the pool (in a shed) was the smartest outdoor toilet i have ever seen. everything shone! the indoor pool, sauna and steam room are a quiet sanctuary. I can see why another reviewer was upset by the service, you can walk around the place without seeing another person, but i like that and they placed telephones on bars etc.. for you to call reception to send someone. Very highly recommend the hotel for a peaceful getaway.

Where does one start? We were on our honeymoon and upon arrival found the hotel to be a little peice of heaven on earth. The staff were helpful, the rooms immaculate and the service impecable. We got great recommendations: dinner at Liz (by far the best food we had in Portugal); and a private wine tasting at a local family-run vineyard. I highly recommend the convent rooms - wonderfully restored with all the mod-cons you would expect from a five star resort. Be sure not to miss the breakfasts - served in the convent cloister with the sweetest natural orange juice you will ever have - guaranteed! We happened to also be celebrating my wife's 30th birthday there and the team made it especially memorable. Thanks to the GM Denis and his incredible team our stay in evora was the best of all our hotels in portugal. Highly highly recommended.