![]() There is a second 20 by 60 with a roof and bordered with a box hedge. Then there is the outside Carriere which has Olympic dimensions (60mx30m) an excellent surface and a seating area for viewing. The indoor arena is a good size with a super viewing gallery. Dressage Lessonsįor the riding lessons there are 3 arenas available. We saw Diogo’s favourite, now retired stallion in the paddock enjoying life. Diogo is sensitive to ensuring the horses are happy so they have paddocks for relaxation time. Most were from their breeding with a couple of other lesson horses. Diogo proudly took us into each stable to introduce them. The horses were in their stables all calmly munching their hay. Another example of traditional and modern blending perfectly. The stables are a good size in barn stabling, a spacious tack room with modern and Portuguese traditional tack clean and well displayed…. To get to the stables we crossed the sloping courtyard with peacocks and exotic planting. The sun sets from here are spectacular.Īfter our hotel tour we were itching to see the horses and the riding facilities. Which is surrounded by the boulders so you have the blend of the grey of the stones and fresh aqua of the pool, you can swim while enjoying stunning panoramic views. The more public areas are also well designed consisting of a bar, restaurant, plenty of outside seating and a really cool rooftop swimming pool. The perfect place to relax after riding with a glass of lightly sparkling vinho verde. I was delighted to see the balconies even have outside showers and comfortable furnishings. Best of all each room has a private balcony looking out the landscape and a lake. They have super bathrooms with glass dividing walls and excellent showers. I loved the bedroom suites which are very modern in design with comfort and ease to move around. For me the word ’boutique’ suggests something very small, chic and limited to a certain area but here you feel you have the boutique-ness of modern styling and individual space but you also have a feeling of so much more space available to you and there is. On the their website it’s described as a boutique hotelīut I would describe it as something a bit more than that. Despite being a dull day, the grey clouds actually added to cool chic image and drama to the landscape colours. However Lena can barely sit to drink hers, inspired she is immediately busy with her camera with so much to capture she’s off. Coffee and tea is served in very trendy colourful china. He whisks us off for a coffee and chat on the patio before a tour around the farm. He a handsome man with a big friendly smile and sparkling eyes. Diogo de Lima Mayer greets us in the courtyard. It all flows together organically blending perfectly with the surrounding countryside. Diogo de Lima Mayer, the owner, and the interior design by Margarida de Lima Mayer, his wife. The main house and Equo resort architecture is designed by Arq. The white and blue farm buildings are a blend of a traditional Alentejo farm and modern design. ![]() ![]() We arrived along a dirt track between the impressive boulders through an arched entrance. At night the sky is a bed of bright stars made brighter for the absence of excessive light pollution. The views are wide open landscape with an expansive sky. There’s a spiritual quality of times past and lingering thoughts what may have wandered the lands then. ![]() In the spring it’s an array of bright flowers which eventually turns to shades of greens and greys giving an almost modern Architectual feel. Vast grey boulders, ancient cork old trees, holn trees, vine yards and long grasses. The property is in the heart of typical, almost prehistoric looking landscape of the Alentejo. ![]() The resort is situated 7 km from Arraiolos at their stud farm (coudelaria). Monte Velho means ‘Old Estate on a Hill” and there are remains of an ancient Roman Settlement at Monte Velho Resort. Their aim is to breed a small amount of ‘Sport Lusitanos’ each year – learn more about their stud in our breeders section. They have a breeding philosophy a little different from most breeders and it’s proving to be a huge success producing top horses. It is a family owned business with a number of activities and at the fore front is their Lusitano Horse Breeding. It opened two years ago and has never looked back, successfully growing at a fantastic rate. Is one of the most stylish riding holiday destinations I have ever seen. ![]()
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