An Ancient Ruin Restores Exclusive Romance to Portugal's Algarve

This aristocratic manor was purchased in 1949 as a ruin by the present owner’s grandfather. It is believed that the original house was destroyed in Portugal's great earthquake of 1755. It was probably rebuilt by a wealthy farmer producing the famous Setubal oranges.

Now lovingly restored, many fine pieces from the original house are incorporated into lovely gardens and verandas which surround the house. The outbuildings are converted charming cottages with self-service kitchens. In the main house, five double bedrooms have ensuite baths.

Romantic gardens shade a large landscaped swimming pool, where visitors relax and sip the fine muscatel wine for which Portugal's Algarve region is famous. Recently expanded estate grounds are near a south facing coast full of small sandy bays protected from the northern afternoon wind – a reminder of what the Algarve was like before developers took over. To the west, past the nature reserve of Arrabida, is Cape Espichel and the wilder beaches and rocky shores of Portugal's Atlantic coast.

Quinta do Hilario is about 40 minutes from Lisbon, and many guests prefer to leave their cars on the south bank of the river and take a romantic ferry ride rather than face the capital city's furious traffic.

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