When Frank and Véronique Persyn were looking for a position to embrace the undeniable lives of hoteliers, they chose an unusual corner of the Algarve. Its very sublime bed and breakfast, Farmhouse of the Palms, is located in the hills near the quiet town of Sao Bras de Alportel, about ten miles from the beaches for which southern Portugal is famous.
The couple, bankers who felt they had spent part of their lives travelling between Brussels and their local Antwerp, chose Portugal for their original simplicity and hospitality. Frank tells the story of the hotel’s early days, around 2015, before foreign travelers still arrived with Google Maps on their phones. Visitors got lost in the hotel and asked someone in Sao Bras (5 km), then that person, instead of just giving in, was delivered to him in his own car, said “follow me” and then strayed from his path. to accompany the arriving guest.
Another thing that excites the domain is its history: when the Algarve operated with agriculture that with tourism, Sao Bras was the richest position in the region, largely thanks to the production of cork. These days have been left behind, but many of the wonderful houses of the estate still exist.
The palm estate – translated from the original call, Monte das Palmeiras, after the old gardener who had cared for the post for decades told them that converting the call of an unfortunate space – is one of them. At the time, it was the home of a rich circle of family members who produced wine.
A member of this family, now in their 80s, still lives nearby and enjoys spending and visiting the space of his childhood. He calls the component of the complex where the Persyn live “casa nova”, the new space. He calls the construction where visitors sleep “house velha”, the old space. It is not known precisely how old it is, some portions appear before the great earthquake of Portugal in 1755.
During its renovation, the Persyn created a kinship dream, a fresh taste of furniture superimposed on whitewashed walls and hand-placed terracotta floors. Most of the pieces come from local markets and close by artisans. Veronique chooses them with a keen eye for the endearing.
The result is modest and very livable, either in the seven giant suites (including two in the old stables), with their artworks fostered through the Algarve fishing industry, and in the usual rooms and libraries. The outdoor spaces are no less beautiful, complete with aromatic fruit trees, an un luxuries landscape and a dining terrace under the olive trees. (A homemade dinner is presented twice a week, as well as a daily breakfast).
Sounds good, too. There’s a satisfied silence. Otherwise, there is the song of birds or the sound of flowing water: Veronique was encouraged through the Alhambra and created water games to give a feeling of freshness to the warm summer of the Algarve.
Of course, you can rent a car and move on to the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. Or the captivating of Tavira and Olhao. But above all, the Farm of Las Palmas is a laziness position. There is hot water in the dark blue pool, shaded patios, swivel sun loungers, hammocks and even an extravagant four-poster bed (and mosquito net) on the ceiling of one of the suites.
Sleeping under the stars, if you wish, will make it a suitable bed, rather than a component of the equation. The other component is breakfast. They do it well, too. It’s a quiet, angely event, with a regululating procession of fruit juices, smoothies, the same things in the morning (cakes, fruits) and a treat like strawberry pancakes or a grilled sandwich made with local cheese. They make their own marmalos angeles from the fruit trees of the property.
It’s especially the time for the Persyns to join their guests. “It’s our job, but it’s also our hobby and our love,” Veronique says. “We get our power to share with people.”
Frank adds: “The credit of being a hotelier is to see everyone at their best. When we had jobs in the workplace, no one was happy. Here, unless it rains, everyone’s happy.
I have been an award-winning editor and editor for 18 years, adding several as an editor at ForbesLife, and have written in over six hundred luxury articles.
I’ve been an award-winning editor and editor for 18 years, adding several as an editor at ForbesLife, and have written about over six hundred destinations and luxury hotels in 97 countries (and more). I know the difference between what is expensive and what deserves its maximum price. I am insightful, but I am not stocked, and I appreciate the hard paints that come with reporting and making luxury items. (I also wrote about this). I have shared this wisdom with readers of Forbes, Departures, Count Nast Traveller, Robb Report, Afar, National Geographic Traveller, Islands, Hemispheres, Brides, Modern Bride, Luxury SpaFinder, Well – Good and other publications. In the call of lifestyle journalism, I got a tattoo in Bora Bora, bit me through a masseur and flew on a small aircraft on 3 continents.