Santiago Hotel sits on a hilltop in the historic town of Santiago do Cacém, a modernist white building surrounded by gardens, with views across the rolling Alentejo countryside and up to the medieval castle above the town. It’s a relatively compact property – 35 individually decorated rooms – but it punches well above its size when it comes to character and experience. Rooms are finished in light whites and blues with touches of local craftsmanship throughout: cork, basketry and Alentejo marble feature in the décor, and every room has a private balcony with views over the town. Sunset Rooms come with their own private terrace and garden seating – worth requesting if you’re planning a few days. There’s an outdoor pool, a gym, a chef’s garden and free parking on site.

Food is taken seriously here – it’s genuinely central to what the hotel does, rather than an afterthought. The À Terra restaurant focuses on authentic Alentejo cooking, prepared over wood-fired ovens and grills, with local and regional wines to match. The breakfast buffet is consistently praised and sets you up well for a day on the course. The hotel also runs a Cooking Academy with hands-on workshops – bread-making, traditional Alentejo recipes – if you’re travelling with non-golfers or want something different on a rest day.

For golf, the hotel works closely with Terras da Comporta, about 30 minutes away, home to the award-winning Dunas Course designed by David McLay Kidd, and the recently opened Torre Course from Sergio Garcia – two very different layouts and a strong reason to extend your stay to four or five nights.