At dawn, the rays of the sun embrace the Guadania river, which marks the border between Portugal and Spain, before snorting in the Atlantic Ocean, not far from there. On your balcony, you never miss the spectacle of this little-known corner of the Algarve which waves to its Iberian neighbor. Built in 1926 by Manuel Ramirez, an entrepreneur who made his fortune in the fish industry, the Grand House is the oldest and most iconic hotel in the historic town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio. With its Belle Époque architecture and its paintings in French that adorn the walls of its thirty or so rooms and suites, there is a bit of our country in this recently renovated 5-star hotel, which joined the Relais & Châteaux banner last year. .

A beautiful staircase in blue and white shades (only the red is missing) guides you to a bright bedroom and a large comfortable bed next to which is discreetly placed, on the bedside table, a smartphone which serves as a high-tech concierge and allows you to surf the web or call worldwide. In the evening, you walk past a period library before tasting one of the many Portuguese wines served on the hotel's roof, unless you prefer to sip a cocktail to the sound of the grand piano on the bar's mahogany counter speakeasy in the Grand Salon, on the first floor.

It's dinner time and the German chef Jan Stechemesser serves you seasonal local cuisine - the menu changes every quarter - and knows how to adapt to your desires of the moment (vegetarians will have happy surprises) in you. discovering new flavors. The sun turns off the light on the horizon, while you savor the sweet treat made from almonds and carob, which are widely cultivated in the region.

In the surrounding area, there are no overcrowded beaches, large shopping centers or water parks, but an authentic and charming region, which mass tourism has not distorted. The hotel offers its guests many activities, such as a guided tour of the city, a horseback ride on the beach or around the salt marshes of Castro Marim and even a snorkeling session with… tuna, we talk about it obviously here fish. Golfers will find what they are looking for in the proximity, about twenty minutes by car, to the number one course in Portugal: the incredible Monte Rei *, designed by Jack Nicklaus. Without forgetting the two 1 holes of Quinta da Ria and Quinta da Cima, classified among the most beautiful golf courses in the Algarve.

Frank Crudo

* https://swing-feminin.com/golfez-en-algarve-monte-rei-seul-au-monde/

https://grandhousealgarve.com/