Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel Portugal
The Cooking and Nature hotel is a quaint getaway for travelers and families who are looking to be catered to in a cozy environment. Situated in the town of Alvados, Portugal this hotel has reimagined the relaxed family getaway.
Taking full advantage of its natural surroundings and quaint town, the hotel welcomes you to embrace Portuguese culture with locally inspired dishes, designs, and amenities. Breaking from the traditional hotel room, each guestroom is draped in exquisite detail, inspired by a choice film. Upon check-in, guests are given a copy of their movie and shown the Honor Bar which is stocked with Portuguese wines, coffee, and soft refreshments which are a welcome reprieve after a day in nature.
Whether venturing out for the day or choosing to take advantage of the ample indoor & outdoor lounges, this hotel has gone the extra mile to encourage visitors to unplug and reconnect.
ROOMS
While whimsical movie-themed rooms may be the first thing you notice, the details go beyond the decor.
Delivering plenty of room for a family, this spacious room offered the same tranquil nature view that can be found throughout the hotel. With a private balcony and outdoor shower, the hotel’s relaxing atmosphere follows you throughout your stay. Even in the wintertime, the balcony’s majestic views invited us to spend the evening outdoors amongst the region’s rolling hills while the children slept quietly inside.
Thanks to the well thought out design, even time in the room felt like quality family time, allowing us a space to play during the day and reconnect in the evening.
ACTIVITIES
With a nearby town, endless outdoor adventure, and private cooking classes, we did not experience a dull moment during our stay.
For the family
Keeping the kids entertained while allowing us to relax was important for us.
The kid’s playroom was stocked with board games, colored pencils, and paper all within a comfortable hangout area. The pool was also kid-friendly, offering a shallow wading pool that gave our 3-year-old the confidence to introduce her baby brother to the world of swimming. This presented a perfect opportunity to capture adorable footage for the grandparents from the nearby full-size pool.
Outdoor exploration was easy, calling us throughout our trip. Well marked paths and an option for guide-led trails meant that the kids could experience new surroundings and enjoy a small adventure in a safe environment.
While cooking classes are available for couples, we took advantage of the family cooking class that allowed our little ones to make homemade pasta (their favorite!), “orange” soup, and a sweet cream custard dessert. The prices were very reasonable and the experience was one of a kind. Having this be one of our meals in the hotel, it was a special experience to go through the full preparation and cooking process as a family.
For Mom & Dad
The spa offers some relaxing packages that go hand in hand with the hotel’s surroundings. We recommend taking advantage of this before heading home.
Free bicycles allowed for quick travel to the local town and on nature trails.
FOOD
With “Cooking” in the name of the hotel, we arrived with high expectations.
Our first meal there confirmed their chef’s dedication to both the presentation and taste of each dish. Relying on locally sourced ingredients, the food was filling, flavorful, and a true experience. Having made the meal ourselves gave a new angle and appreciation to our daughter for the tastes of even the most simple dishes.
Breakfast had many food options that catered to adults and kids, allowing each of us to choose our favorites.
If you are looking for recommendations outside of the hotel, their incredibly helpful staff can guide you to some local favorite restaurants to enhance your visit.
WHAT WE LOVED
- The hospitality and energy of the hotel matched the natural surroundings of this beautiful escape
- Activities were family-friendly
- The Honor Bar was great for adults and children alike
- An eco-friendly hotel that never missed an opportunity to showcase its natural surroundings
IMPROVEMENTS WE’D LIKE TO SEE
- The bikes were a great option to get around. We’d like to see child seats added so they can be enjoyed by the whole family
