Fantastic place for a serene break. The rooms are contemporary in design, the location is remote and peaceful, the owners are so considerate and accommodating... I cannot say a bad thing about the place at all. I WILL be going back for sure.

Come here if you want somewhere a little different, somewhere peaceful, somewhere stylish yet affordable.

No pool, no internet, no gym.... this is a place to switch off....

This hotel is certainly off the beaten track - it's 3km from the nearest paved road and surrounded by sandy fields. Swiss Balthasar Trueb (Balt) started this establishment as an ostrich farm (there's only one left and it's not on the menu), diversified into international animal transport for wildlife parks and then turned his hand to the hotel trade. He's been remarkably successful. The hotel is modern and minimal yet has a homely almost cozy feel. Rooms are split level with the bedrooms and bathrooms on a mezzanine above a comfortable lounge. There are comfortable sitting areas wherever you go and acres of tall windows giving great views over to the mountains at the edge of the plain. The set dinner, advertised as three courses, proved to be a succession of wonderful dishes accompanied by a succession of great local wines (included) - Balt believes in giving guests a panoramic view of the wines of the Alentejo region - we tasted at least five at each meal. Breakfast is a truly gargantuan buffet - fresh fruit, cooked meats, cheeses, eggs, hot pastries, etc. - all of the highest quality. A particularly nice touch is the offer of a complimentary drink on arrival - we arrived by bicycle so cold beers and wine were doubly welcome. Friendly and unobtrusive staff make this a five star experience without a trace of formality or pomposity. If you're lucky Balt will offer to take you outside to show you his telescope - he's an amateur astronomer so you will really see Jupiter and Mars - without a trace of light pollution!

Finding somewhere to stay in the coastal Alentejo was something of a trial, but we eventually found the Tres Marias which offered bed and breakfast. The majority of accomodation in this area is self catering and is aimed at people staying for a week or so.
Contact with Claudia via email was easy, and she sent us details of how to get to them. The Tres Marias is off the beaten track, down an unmade road and once you get there it is heaven.
It is signposted off the main road (the only road!) at Ribeira da Azenha The accomodation is simply superb, there are 6 individual "rooms" but that is an understatement. They are beatifully designed, each with a mezanine where the comfy bed and stylish bathroom can be found. Downstairs is a comforable sofa and our room even had a fireplace. Each "room" has its own terrace ovelooking the wonderful garden, field of sheep and the 2 ostriches (left over from when Claudia and Balz had an ostrich farm).
Balz was persuaded to cook dinner for us (we were the only guests, it being mid week and November) and this was the highlight of our week in the Alentejo. It was by far the best meal of the week, in the best setting, the best value and with the best company.
Breakfast was spectacular. We chose to eat out of doors and the service, choice of food and its presentation could not have been bettered. They even managed to play a Miles Davis CD over breakfast for one of us.
We cannot recommend the Tres Marias more highly.