LUXURY HOTEL | CARMO ’ S BOUTIQUE
In the second , there are 12 further prestige rooms on two floors . All the suites and rooms are individually designed and furnished to an exceptional standard . The layouts are unique , and breath-taking , but they are functional , too , and never compromise practicality for effect . The attention to detail and insistence on quality is apparent in the construction , the furnishings and the fabrics , and you luxuriate in their sumptuousness . Moreover , the whole project has been designed and built to the highest specification , including the latest ecofriendly techniques .
In the Spa there ’ s a Ufuro Japanese bath , and an overflow heated pool . If you prefer , you can bathe in 100 % goats ’ milk or indulge in aromatherapy using 100 % organic essential oils . The atmosphere in this area is relaxing and calming , of course , but it ’ s also open and welcoming with clever use of light and colour , and no sense of enclosure .
Back to the salão . It is unique , and rather difficult to describe ; part reception , part bar and restaurant , and part sitting-room . That hardly does it justice , though , because it ’ s also part library , part gallery , part music room and part conservatory . It is truly the hub of Carmo ’ s ( the kitchen and work areas are to one end ), and does bring that feel of staying in someone ’ s home that is sought . You could spend your whole visit just discovering the books , pictures and craft work on display , but then you ’ d miss the wines , ports , and aguardentes . The furnishings alone demand your attention , but we must move outside .
In front , there are terraces with views across the Lima valley to the mountains beyond . Wonderful to sit here before and after the heat of the day to enjoy the fruits of Carmo ’ s cellar and kitchen . The gardens behind are bounded by vineyards . Within the grounds is a solar-heated pool , a display ring for horse and music events with a grass terrace for viewing . There are shaded areas for quiet relaxation , and a paddock in one corner for the Shetland ponies , visiting horses , and the occasional kid goat , which is not used to supply the Spa !
Carmo ’ s has its own horse-drawn carriage , and guests can ride down to the riverbank , and
enjoy the sights of the Eco-Via ( Green Route ). They can take in a vineyard , too , and with a picnic , maybe try their hand at catching the local lampreias ( eels ). Portugal is the home of the Lusitano horse , which can be seen and ridden at the local equestrian centre – Vale do Lima Riding Centre – which does an awful lot more than just teach riding , and is associated with the hotel .
Naturally , food plays an important role at Carmo ’ s . They seek to guide you through the regional variations of Portuguese cuisine , which is everywhere based on the natural bounty of sea and land . Portugal is rightly renowned for its fish , but its meat and poultry is often under-estimated . Most pork is still produced organically , and features greatly in northern recipes . Moreover , the abundance of fruit and vegetables is second to none , again because much of it is produced on small scale farms , using traditional methods . Taste and smell are the keywords here , not appearance , not that Portuguese produce bows its head to any in quality . Also , unique to the local area is Sidra Lagoas ( cider ), a match for anything produced in Somerset or Normandy .
36 | Summer 2012 | www . portugal-life . net |