Dá Licençia

The world is full of wonders and places waiting to be discovered. Beauty can be found in unexpected places. But some places are more magical than others. Dá Licençia, located in the upper Alentejo region in Portugal, is one of them. 

Only a few miles from the small town of Estremoz, known for its picturesque white buildings and narrow alleys and dominated by a 13th century marble keep, one finds Dá Licençia.

Formerly an old, white-washed farm, hidden among 120 hectares of olive groves and marble rocks but now transformed into a carefully curated hotel, it is approximately 90 minutes from Lisbon by car. 

The atmosphere of Dá Licençia is slightly surreal, as the elegance of the buildings has been juxtaposed with the natural simplicity of the Portuguese landscape. 

The perfectly circular pool is surrounded by citrus trees. 

Every evening, the sun sets over the gentle slopes that surround the hotel, while the distant sound of grazing sheep underscores the fact that this hotel is completely tucked away from the outside world. 

Getting here is not exactly easy, as the country roads around the hotel are both narrow and uneven. 

Already before checking in, you notice the careful attention to detail, as the walk from the parking space to the reception smells richly of thyme, the spice covering the small hill between the parking and the hotel. 

As there are only nine units (and parents are advised to not bring their youngest children), the hotel will never feel crowded. 

Two units even have small pools of their own. 

The soft and welcoming attitude is even reflected in the name, which roughly translates to “with your permission” and was originally a phrase used by horse-riders when they entered the area. 

The interiors are worth a special mention. Before moving to Portugal to open a hotel, one of the owners ran a gallery in Paris, where he sold selected pieces of art, furniture and craft. 

He became increasingly interested in the anthroposophical ideas of Rudolf Steiner and the application of this philosophy in furniture and interiors. Gradually, he began collecting anthroposophical furniture and items from Northern Europe, in particular Finland and Norway. 

Parts of this collection have been given its own space in the adjoining gallery a few hundred metres below the hotel, available for hotel guests to visit for guided tours. Also in the rooms and suites there are plenty of examples of excellent Nordic design. 

In addition, the layout of the bathrooms has been given particular attention, and the bathroom design is as functional as it is beautiful. 

Staying at Dá Licençia may be a feast for your eyes, calming for your soul and comfortable for your body, but it also includes a delicious breakfast, served in the main building, made from local ingredients and adhering to local customs. 

If you do not want to spend your days lounging by the pool, there are plenty of things to do and places to visit in the surrounding area, and the staff is happy to help make arrangements. 

The owners have considered all senses when planning their hotel, making a stay here a complete experience. 

Dá Licençia

Outeiro das Freiras, Portugal