Gandum Village

White and clay-colored facades can be glimpsed through the greenery of olive trees and cork oaks, the scent of flowers and herbs fills the air and you can hear sheep bleating in the distance. When you reach Gandum Village in the southwest of Portugal, named after the babbling brook that winds its way across the grounds, you really do feel as if you’ve arrived in a tiny village. Three apartments and 18 double rooms have been created in the beautiful buildings, one of which has an arcade, emulating monastic architecture. The rural hotel offers sweeping views over the Alentejo countryside and the historic walls of the castle of Montemor-o-Novo. After more than ten years of decay, Martina and João started breathing new life into the farm in 2018. They were already working on the topic of sustainability when they met at university. The abandoned estate in João’s home country was the perfect place for the two of them to develop their idea of an ecovillage that would also inspire others. The existing building was carefully renovated and original materials were reused to preserve its original character. A new building was constructed using the traditional rammed earth method. The design is the perfect balance between nature, functionality and creativity. Each room combines natural tones with vibrant color accents. The hosts attach particular importance to Portuguese design, which they complement with the lightness and clear lines of Nordic interior labels. However, the domicile is not just something for the eye, but can be enjoyed with all the senses—in a hammock by the pool, on a walk through fields and meadows or on the terrace of the “Provenance” restaurant with homemade creations such as beetroot croquettes with goat’s cheese or acorn cake with hazelnut and carob cream. This is what vacation bliss tastes like!

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The philosophy of Gandum Village: “Living well, with purpose and in harmony with the planet”
• The promotion of craftsmanship and the local community. Much of the furniture was custom-made from local materials by carpenters in Portugal, including craftsmen from Montemor-o-Novo. The pastel bathroom tiles and the pretty tapestries are also made in Portugal.
• The cloister-inspired architecture of the new building complex creates a calm and timeless atmosphere.
• The colors used reflect the Alentejo: The beige and brown of nature, combined with strong tones that convey energy and vibrancy.
• The architecture harmonizes with the landscape, especially through the use of old construction methods such as rammed earth walls, a traditional method in the Alentejo region, and the use of natural and recycled materials such as cork, lime and wood.
• The beautiful planting of the facades and pergolas, which not only looks great, but also provides shade
• The farm-to-table restaurant “Provenance”, a wonderful place for al fresco dining. This is where Alentejo tradition meets Mediterranean cuisine. The chef picks produce straight from the garden and uses it to create fascinating dishes.
• The breakfast buffet! Wholemeal and spelt bread, cheese, cold meats, jam—all home-made or from regional producers. The melons, pomegranates and oranges are from the garden, the eggs from free-range chickens. Instead of using sugar, they sweeten food with honey from their own apiary.
• A pool and two smaller pools are a tempting way to cool off; the Barragem dos Minutos and Santa Susana reservoirs are just a 20-minute drive away and the beaches of the Atlantic coast are just an hour away.
• Children are happy here. They can play to their hearts’ content in the fenced grounds, having fun playing table tennis, table soccer and soccer. There’s a playground, visits to the farm animals or an open-air cinema.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• A total of 18 modern and minimalist double rooms and three apartments belong to the farm, all of which have a private balcony or terrace.
• The apartments are 26 to 54 square meters in size, can accommodate two to six people and have a kitchenette with a microwave, fridge and kettle.
• The 18 rooms in the monastery-style building are 35 square meters in size and combine modern comfort with rustic charm and authenticity.
• Included in all accommodation: Air conditioning, high-speed WiFi, and safe and subtly scented natural care products from the Portuguese label 8950.
• The hotel’s own restaurant offers breakfast (included in the room price!) as well as a lunch and dinner menu and snacks, offering many vegetarian or vegan options.
• The hosts have set up a food lab in a former garage, where they process the fruit and vegetables they harvest themselves.
• There’s a co-working space and meeting rooms on the premises—offering a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere for anyone working remotely.
• Solar panels provide energy in Gandum Village and the crops are grown without pesticides or mineral fertilizers. With more than 50,000 newly planted trees, the project is helping to restore natural landscapes and biodiversity.
• In future, guests will be able to offset their own carbon footprint by planting trees. Workshops to raise awareness of environmentally friendly lifestyles are also planned.
• Many excursion destinations are nearby, such as the Unesco World Heritage city of Évora or the capital Lisbon, which is around an hour away.