Rooms with views: Five hotels in Alentejo

Pousada de São Francisco

Located in a former 13th century Franciscan convent in the centre of historical Beja, this is Alentejo's most atmospheric pousada. The hotel hides behind thick white-washed walls, and the stone-flagged reception area opens out onto the echoing hulk of the old convent chapel. Long, deserted corridors wind around a quiet courtyard and lead off to the old nun's cells - today's guestrooms. These are small but comfortable, with green armchairs looking out onto orange trees. The cavernous restaurant has vaulted ceilings and serves excellent local cuisine, including honey-roasted lamb and sticky doces conventuais desserts. In the garden is a palm-shaded swimming pool and tennis court.

Pousada São Francisco, Beja (00 351 284 313580; www.pousadas.pt). Doubles from €130 (£93) including breakfast

Hotel Refúgio da Vila

This 1830s manor house has been converted into a peaceful little hotel, overlooking a cobbled square in the tiny town of Portel. The 30 bedrooms are spread between the original house and a modern, village-like addition in the gardens. Pay the premium to stay in the old house, where rooms are accessed by a grand marble staircase and have beautiful vaulted ceilings, some with original stucco and frescoes, parquet floors and antique furniture. The stone-flagged restaurant serves hearty local fare, which guests can reproduce in the cooking school, housed in the original kitchen. Ingredients are sourced from the walled kitchen garden, filled with citrus trees, vegetables and herbs.

Hotel Refúgio da Vila, Largo Dr Miguel Bombarda, Portel (00 351 266 619010; www.refugiodavila.com). Doubles from €91 (£65) including breakfast

Vila Galé Clube de Campo

Set in rolling farmland, this is a mix of rural retreat and family resort. The 81 rooms have simple, summery décor (lots of blues and yellows, and terracotta floors), and are clustered around a large outdoor pool, with beautiful views of the countryside. This is a good choice for families: the surrounding olive groves and vineyards are criss-crossed with mountain biking and horse-riding tracks. There's also minigolf and tennis, a restaurant and new spa with indoor heated pool. Summer BBQs and bull fights (the bulls aren't harmed) are held in the amphitheatre. Groups can take part in cooking lessons, or wine tastings and tours.

Vila Galé, Herdade da Figueirinha, Albernoa (00 351 284 970 100; www.vilagale.pt). Doubles start at €70 (£50) including breakfast (minimum stay of three nights)

Casa do Terreiro do Poço

Owned by the gregarious João Ferreira, this new hotel is full of exotic antiques and quirky finds from João's far-flung travels. The rooms span several old farmhouse buildings, set on a quiet green in the centre of the marble town of Borba. The décor mixes Portuguese fabrics with Javanese headboards and African sculptures, and contrasting reclaimed azulejos tiles with local stone. Some rooms have kitchenettes and private verandas; those in the main house have original frescoes. Leafy courtyards link to a small pool and colonial-style breakfast room. João plans painting courses this summer.

Casa do Terreiro do Poço, Largo dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra, Borba (00 351 917 256 077; www.casadoterreirodopoco.com). Double rooms start at €70 (£50) including breakfast

Convento do Espinheiro

Lording it over the countryside outside Évora, the 15th century Convento do Espinheiro is Alentejo's most luxurious offering. Open just under a year, the buildings had an €18m (£13m) refurbishment, with a modern annex housing most of the 59 rooms and the ESPA spa. A highlight is the beautiful, pink marble chapel, which was a place of pilgrimage for Portugal's monarchs. The new rooms are on the small side, but are plushly furnished and overlook eight hectares of gardens and olive groves, with an outdoor pool. Breakfast is in the cool colonnades of the old cloister; the restaurant is in the dimly lit wine cellars.

Convento do Espinheiro, Apartado 594, Evora (00 351 266 788 200; www.conventodoespinheiro.com). Doubles from €216 (£155) including breakfast