When the fifth Duke of Palmela settled at the Esteval Estate in the mid-20th century, the property that is now the distinguished Hotel Casa Palmela already had centuries of history. Located in the heart of the beautiful Arrábida Mountains, less than an hour from Lisbon and very close to Setúbal, it’s an almost confidential haven where you can absorb the green of the forest and the scents of the Atlantic Ocean and the Sado River Estuary. Here, the mild climate lasts until November.

At Hotel Casa Palmela, family memories are alive. It is particularly fascinating to wander through the various wings to see the works of Maria Luísa de Sousa Holstein, the third duchess, one of Portugal’s most distinguished sculptors during the 19th century. Outside, the Moscatel vineyards attest to the family’s dedication to the noble grape variety of this part of the country.

The suites occupy the former aristocratic quarters of the main house. The guaranteed privacy extends to the Garden House rooms, the oldest building on the estate, and especially to each of the three sumptuous villas. These are the most exclusive spaces, designed in extreme good taste and with a 24-hour service attentive to every detail.

All around, there are worlds to explore. The wide mouth of the Sado River must be enjoyed on a private boat trip: Hotel Casa Palmela provides a professional team with a luxury vessel. The mountains can be discovered on bike rides, or on horseback, the most genuine way to enter this green treasure – note that we are in the middle of the Arrábida Natural Park.

Setúbal’s maritime gastronomy and heritage are just a few minutes away. The enjoyment of flavors happens in the nearby large wine farms or in visits to local cheese factories, notorious for the famous Azeitão cheese. All this can also be experienced in tasting sessions in the hotel itself.

Nearby, you can do your best shopping outside Lisbon: the Freeport outlet in Alcochete has the most reputable brands at unbeatable prices.

Everything is completed with mind and body care. The hotel is also a wellness retreat. Massage treatments use only natural products and there is yoga, stretching and pilates sessions led by professionals.

“Mother-mountain”, that’s how the great local poet Sebastião da Gama referred to the Arrábida Mountains. He couldn’t be more right about the warmth it provides, and where Hotel Casa Palmela endures, far from the contemporary velocities.