Octant Évora, located on 27 acres within the UNESCO-listed city of Évora in Portugal’s Alentejo region since 2021, has opened its doors to the Perdiganito Reserve. Located amid the landscapes of Europe’s largest reservoir, the expansion project covers nearly 15 acres and offers new experiences for couples, families and children.
The first stop is the Land of Explorers, a space dedicated to the hotel’s youngest guests, designed to help them foster a deeper connection with nature. This area offers interactive experiences such as stargazing, a story tree, swings, wooden houses, hammocks, a rope bridge, a sundial and more. Enhancing the immersive natural experience, the hotel grounds also include an on-site farm where animals roam freely, encouraging children to observe and interact with them during their visits. In July and August, children can participate in dam tours, knot workshops, archery, pottery, ropes courses and yoga during the day. At night, guests can experience flag hunting, night orienteering and movies under the stars.
Adults can enjoy a variety of trails, each offering a unique way to experience the reserve: the Western Trail, leading to the adults’ area, is best for early morning tranquility; the Eastern Trail is ideal for capturing evening views; and the Lake Trail offers a scenic path along the reservoir, well-suited for leisurely strolls. Guests can find three wooden swing cabanas designed as resting areas, excellent for picnics, nature observation and even marriage proposals.
At the center of the Perdiganito Reserve is the 1,184-square-foot Water Dam Deck. It serves as a venue for picnics, weddings, safari breakfasts or casual lunches. Guests can order picnic baskets in advance to enjoy drinks and nibbles in the heart of the Alentejo landscape. The deck also has sofas and loungers to enjoy typical Alentejo siestas. Additionally, the hotel can arrange on-demand yoga and personal training sessions here. Further down the path, guests can find the 16-foot-tall Observation Tower, offering a unique vantage point across the Alentejo plains, and for observing the night sky.
Octant Évora recommends activities such as horseback riding, bird watching, exploring the Perdiganito ruins and savoring local delicacies. Additionally, guests can enjoy hot-air balloon rides or explore the surroundings by bicycle as well as taking part in an array of learning experiences on offer at the hotel.
Part of the boutique hotel collection Octant Hotels, launched in May 2022, and set just outside the UNESCO World Heritage city of Évora, the hotel has just 56 rooms, including three family rooms with bunk beds and private outdoor spaces with pools and gardens, and 16 villas for exclusive use. Facilities include five outdoor pools (including two for families and three adults-only), a gym, and a spa offering an indoor pool, sauna, two treatment rooms and a Turkish bath. At À Terra restaurant, seasonal dishes are prepared from locally sourced ingredients, many of which are harvested on-site from the farm, vegetable garden, olive grove and orchard.
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