Hotel Highlight: Herdade da Malhadinha Nova
If you’re searching for a place where rolling cork oak forests meet world-class wine, breathtaking horses, and five-star cuisine, look no further than Herdade da Malhadinha Nova. Tucked into the golden plains of Portugal’s Alentejo region, this extraordinary estate is one of those rare properties that has everything, and does it all beautifully. It is a proud member of Relais & Châteaux, a prestigious collection of the world’s finest independent hotels and restaurants, and after four nights here, I understood exactly why.
For more on the broader region surrounding the estate, be sure to read my Alentejo Guide. And if you’re still in the early stages of planning your Portugal trip, head over to Lily Travel for more inspiration.
The Estate’s Story
Herdade da Malhadinha Nova is not a hotel that was built to look like a working estate — it is one. The Soares family transformed this sprawling agricultural property in the Alentejo into one of Portugal’s most celebrated wine and hospitality destinations. The result is a place that feels both deeply personal and impeccably refined. The land itself tells the story: thousands of acres of vineyards, olive groves, and native cork oak woodland, all working in harmony.
That authenticity is woven into every detail of the guest experience. This isn’t a resort that simply gestures at the surrounding landscape — it invites you to live inside it, whether you’re cantering through the vineyards on horseback, watching the enormous storks in the trees, or sitting down to a meal that grew in the estate’s organic garden.
Food at the Resort
The food at Herdade da Malhadinha Nova is nothing short of phenomenal. The kitchen leans deeply into the Alentejo’s agricultural identity with bold, honest flavors built on exceptional local ingredients and elevates them with a refinement that feels effortless. Each meal was an event in itself, from leisurely breakfasts overlooking the infinity pool with fresh fruits to cook-out style dinners to fine-dining Michelin recognized meals.
The estate’s own olive oil and wines appear throughout the menu, creating a sense of place you can taste in every bite. Whether you’re dining alfresco with views of the garden and the farm dog relaxing at your feet, or in the warmth of the restaurant’s elegant interior, the experience is intimate, unhurried, and memorable. I could write an entire article just about the meals!
The main restaurant at Herdade da Malhadinha Nova is a true delight. We went each night, and had fabulous, decadent meals each time. We dined outside with live jazz and the farm’s dog chilling out at my feet politely while we dined. The atmosphere was perfect – unlike anything I’d encountered before. A very sweet couple from the U.S. treated us to dinner to celebrate our honeymoon. They were excellent company and the kindest people – the wife rescued horses, so I immediately adored her.
Wine Tourism
Wine is central to the identity of Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, and the estate’s wine tourism experience is one of the highlights of any stay. Guests enjoy a complimentary wine tasting that showcases the estate’s impressive portfolio of Alentejo wines, each one a reflection of the land, the climate, and the family’s passion for winemaking.
The experience goes well beyond simply swirling a glass. A Land Rover ride takes you out through the property for a different perspective on the vineyards and the wider estate, followed by a guided tour of the winery. You’ll learn how the wines are made, from vine to bottle, and come away with a genuine appreciation for what makes Alentejo wines so special. It is the kind of immersive, behind-the-scenes access that turns a wine tasting into a lasting memory.
Another special thing about the wine here is the art on the wine bottle labels. Each label was drawn by the children in the family, and many of the labels feature animals from around the farm. It reminds you that this is a high-end family vineyard and every aspect of the wine-marking process – from growing the grapes to designing the labels, is done with real care.
Accommodations
When my husband and I checked into this resort, we were immediately blown away. Not only are the rooms absolutely stunning (and large!), but the customer service is superb. The resort team has you use WhatsApp to schedule activities, have wine delivered to your room – really anything you could possibly need. It’s so easy and seamless, I was truly impressed. I used this feature to schedule dressage lessons, spa appointments and more.
We stayed at the Country House, which is a beautiful building with a main seating area that has a self-serve bar, a fireplace and a dining table, along with couches and chairs for lounging. The building has a handful of guest rooms, two outdoor patios, an infinity pool and the spa is toward the back. The interior design is tasteful and authentic to the Alentejo vibe. The exterior landscaping is gorgeous and works naturally into the landscape. It was incredibly well done.
We fell in love with our hotel room. We stayed in a Junior Suite, which had two rooms and a large bathroom. The bedroom had a comfortable bed and was large. It was beautifully designed and very cosy. The second room was more living-room style, with large chairs for sitting in, a coffee maker and more. The bathroom had a large tub and sink area. It was far and away our favorite accommodation of the entire trip.
A note about the estate: It is huge, so the staff take you to and from the hotel to dinner by Land Rover. You need to schedule the Land Rover via WhatsApp when you make your dinner reservation, but it’s super easy and convenient. They’re always prompt and on-time.
Activities
Horseback Riding
For any equestrian, Herdade da Malhadinha Nova is nothing short of a dream. I rode three times during my stay, each day on a completely different horse, and each experience was extraordinary in its own right. The resort has a stud farm that breeds and trains purebred Lusitano horses. There are stallions, mares in foal and youngsters all at the farm. The horses are very friendly and you are allowed to go out and meet them all. Even the stallions are extremely friendly and social. They seem to love people – they walk right up to you and enjoy the attention.
On the first ride, I was paired with a beautiful bay Lusitano mare for a leisurely trail ride through the vineyards. This was the first time I’d ever ridden a Lusitano, and I was so impressed by this mare’s relaxed nature, even as we passed farm equipment around the estate. It was a great way to take in the Alentejo landscape. It was a private, guided trail ride, which was the best way to learn about the estate and the stud farm. The mare had been bred and trained there, and had a successful dressage career.
On the second day, I had a dressage lesson on a Grand Prix dressage horse – a beautiful gray gelding. This horse was definitely the fanciest, nicest horse I’ve ever ridden. He was so sweet and patient with me. While I’ve had dressage lessons over the years, I am not a dressage rider. Most of my dressage lessons were on OTTBs that preferred foxhunting to dressage, so this was a unique experience for me. The trainer was excellent and we worked on everything from leg yields to shoulder-ins, and then with assistance from the trainer, passage and piaffe. It was so much fun, and a great introduction into another level of dressage I’d never experienced before.
My third ride was my favorite – I fell in love with the horse. This dressage lesson was on a Lusitano stallion and he was SO SWEET. He was this gorgeous gray and he was slightly smaller than the gelding from the day before – shorter through his back – so I had an easier time working on collection and transitions. He was younger and didn’t have passage and piaffe yet, but his canter was a DREAM. I wanted to take this horse home and I completely fell in love with the Lusitano breed.
The riding program at the estate is thoughtfully managed and caters to a wide range of experience levels. Whether you’re a seasoned rider looking to work with world-class horses or simply hoping for a gentle ride through the property, the team will match you to the right horse and craft an experience that feels personal. The barn is pristine, the trainers are highly skilled and the horses are some of the finest I’ve ever ridden.
Birding
The Alentejo is one of Europe’s finest birding destinations, and Herdade da Malhadinha Nova sits at the heart of it. We spent a great deal of time birding both on the estate itself and in nearby areas, and the diversity of species was remarkable. The combination of open farmland, cork oak woodland, and proximity to wetlands creates an exceptional range of habitats, and the wildlife reflects that richness.
For serious birders or curious beginners alike, this is a destination worth adding to the list. If you plan in advance and have a larger group, the resort will also arrange guided birding tours for you. Check out my Alentejo Guide to learn more about the other birding destination, the Castro Verde UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which does require a rental car to get to from the hotel, but is a quick, easy drive and well worth it.
Spa
During our visit, my husband and I booked a couple’s massage (using WhatsApp to arrange through the front desk – very easy). The M Wellness Spa is beautiful and conveniently located at The Country House, where we were staying. The massage was excellent, and afterwards we got to sit in a large tub with a bottle of red wine. There was also a door you could take to sit outside in a private area with views of the vineyard while you enjoyed your wine. It is well-worth a spa visit if you have the time.
Pool
We spent a lot of time at the pool at The Country House. It’s a beautiful infinity pool with gorgeous views of the vineyard beyond. There are plenty of cabanas and private seating areas to lounge in. You can also sit by the pool to have your breakfast and lunch. It was very quiet when we were there – we went before peak season (late May/early June) – so we basically had the entire pool to ourselves. It was pretty awesome.
My Overall Hotel Review
While I’ve stayed in many cool hotels over the years, especially during this 20-day Portugal trip, both my husband and I can easily say that Herdade da Malhadinha Nova is our favorite. It’s our favorite not only because the rooms are spacious and beautiful, the food is outstanding and the estate is gorgeous – it’s our favorite because the experiences here, like riding, birding, and vineyard tours, all made our stay incredibly unique and above and beyond anything we’ve experienced before. If the Alentejo is on your list and you have the budget for it, I strongly recommend staying at this resort.
Have questions about planning your own stay at Herdade da Malhadinha Nova or exploring the Alentejo? Visit Lily Travel for more guides and travel inspiration.
One Response