Our host provided excellent recommendations and even made reservations and menu selections. Overall very peaceful and authentic experience and the pool was amazing. Thank you Paul for the exceptional interlude.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Paul's farmhouse near Redondo. The house had everything we needed, was far enough into the countryside to provide a true glimpse of rural Portuguese life and yet close enough for day trips to several interesting nearby towns/sites. Communication with Paul was excellent. He provided several suggestions for places to visit all over the country and for restaurants in nearby towns to try that made our stay here one of the highlights of our trip. Paul offers a cork "walk" touring the surrounding countryside on foot to neighboring farms, and the nearest town that we found fascinating - so glad we did it. Only quibbles we have are relatively minor. Finding the house was a challenge. Turns out, the VRBO instructions had not been updated which resulted in some confusion finding the house but Paul was available by text/phone to help us through those issues. The beds are much more firm than we are used to but we slept just fine anyway. We also could never quite figure out how to keep the hot water flowing long enough for 2 back to back showers but we also managed none the less.

I wish I could have spent more time in Redondo. The property is easy to get to. Paul was great with communicating so we could get there easily. Views are beautiful from the pool; you can see all the way out to the horizon. There are a lot of sheep on the adjacent farm. Night sky is gorgeous. Very spacious house. Within a short drive are some surrounding towns if you feel like spending the day out. there is a grocery store within 5min drive. If you like gin try the Black Pig gin which is made in the Alentejo valley and not easy to find anywhere else in Portugal. Use some lemon from the lemon trees on the property and you have yourself an amazing cocktail.

We travelled to the farm as part of our driving tour through Portugal. We stayed for 3 nights on the farm and did day tours to the neighbouring towns. We really enjoyed our tour of the cork forest and the wine tasting with Antonio. He was very informative and we learned some very interesting facts about cork farming. We also enjoyed tasting wine after our tour of the cork forest and vineyards. We had a great dinner of local cuisine one night prepared by our host. Our stay was one of the highlights of our trip to Portugal and we highly recommend staying at the cork farm. Our hosts were very welcoming and friendly. Thanks again for a great experience!

Our stay at this working farm and vinyard outside Redondo was magical. We were greeted by Andrew and Margarida, brother and wife of the farmer Philliip Mollet as we drove into the courtyard. We stayed in the main area of this 250 year old farmhouse with living room, dining room, kitchen, and 2 bedrooms each with on-suite bath. The facility was well furnished inside and the outside area was magnificent. There is a large cobblestoned patio with two tables under shade structures (the sun could get very intense here). A short flight of stairs led down to the path to an infinity pool with an endless view to the Alentejo below. There was a room under the pool with WC facilities and a refrigerator with rose and white wines available on the honor system. We chose to have dinner on the farm our first night, and the fish casserole and other items were very good obviously accompanied by some of their wonderful wines. The farm proved to be an excellent home base for exploring the towns of Redondo and Evora as well as the eastern Alentejo towns of Monsaraz and Morvao which were stunning. We took a cork trekking tour of this working cork tree farm with Antonio the next day and learned about the interesting work of cork farming before we reluctantly left. We drank many of their wonderful wines at very fair prices. We could go on and on about this place but I would urge you to find out for yourself how truly special this house and farm is. We only wish we had booked for many more nights and we are sure we will return, hopefully for a much longer stay next time.

Our time on the farm and in the main farm house was one of the highlights of our travels in Portugal. Beautifully appointed with vintage pieces yet all the comfort of today. Our 4x4 tour of the farm and wine tasting were also great. However, what makes this experience so wonderful are Philippe, his wife and all the people who are there to ensure you have a wonderful vacation and you leave with a greater appreciation of this region of Portugal...

Phillip and his family were truly wonderful hosts and very informative about the area and local restaurants - their choices all exceeded our expectations . The main Farmhouse / Corkfarm has been decorated beautifully and the atmosphere makes you feel like the home that you never want to leave. Coupled with Phillips friendly personality this is the best booking yet on our round Portugal tour .

We regret not having more days at this beautiful serene location. Lovely pool area with a bar and washroom! Short distance from Evora. The hosts are lovely and the surroundings were gorgeous. We were lucky to be there for cork harvesting! The workers were very engaging and we enjoyed watching the removal of large pieces of cork. Lots of olive, lemon and apple trees. Many dogs, cats, sheep. We heard how the farm brings in black pigs and allows them to roam eating large quantities of acorns to help them gain upwards up 100kg. We enjoyed the wine produced with the grapes from the farm. The accommodations were beyond expectations including lots of dishes, cutlery etc for preparing meals. When we return to Portugal we will stay here again!

we had a marvelous time at the Herdade da Maroteira in Redondo. Everything about it is as described or pictured, but even better. The house was lovely and very comfortable, and the pool was most inviting. At night, the stars were so plentiful and bright! I don't know when I have seen such a full and beautiful night sky. We enjoyed trying the various wines made by the family. They were all excellent, but the Cem Reis Syrah was fabulous. We also ordered a meal one night which was delicious and sufficient for several meals-lamb from the Herdade with potatoes, salad, gaspacho and a lovely biscuit cake. Best of all were the people. Antonio greeted us when we arrived and could not have been more helpful. He directed us to the local grocery store, and just by chance, when we arrived for our first visit, he was there and assisted us with some local cheeses. He also took us on our tour of the cork forest and was extremely informative. Philip and Marguerita were very attentive and helpful in making suggestions for day trips and restaurants. Jezerel (?) in the office was very kind as well and even went to the trouble of writing out for us exactly what kind of Maria cookies to buy to make our own biscuit cake and printed a recipe off the internet for us. I cannot go without mentioning the wonderful dogs. They are an integral part of the operation and are ready to greet you in the mornings or upon returning and are mostly happy to go on walks with you. The house was a great base for visiting the other towns in the area as well as the Neolithic and Paleolithic ruins. I was there for 16 days and moving on to one of Portugal's lovely pousadas but was so sad to leave Maroteira.

This well kept property is a great get away. There is staff that cleans the grounds every day which makes for a pleasing environment. It's a working Portuguese Heritage farm, with tours available and a lot of touring which can be done in the area. The infinity pool was super!

We only had two nights, I wish it would have been much longer. We stayed in late September. The weather was still warm mid day, cool in the mornings. Perfect for a dip in the infinity edge pool in the heat of the day. We went to a delicious very local restaurant, there are a number of options close by. The kitchen was well equipped and we ate in our first night not knowing there were places to go close by to eat. Redondo has a large and a small grocery store, both about ten minutes drive. The farm house is delightful. Generations of wonderful books in English. A fireplace, AC and beautiful furniture. You are definitely staying in a family house. The bed we slept in was very hard, this may be a good thing or not depending on your preference. This is the only thing I would change. Joseph took us on an informative, exciting and comprehensive tour of the property. Recommended. Thank you Philip for a wonderful stay.

We were two couples staying at this property - enjoyed the wonderful views and pool after a day of seeing the sights and wine tastings. Loved the cork farm tour by jeep and the farms's produce (eggs, lamb). Accommodation was comfortable and had everything we needed. We look forward to our next visit!

This stay was one of our favorite places in Portugal. We took a tour of the property, including the cork farm. It was just fascinating and the guide was very knowledgeable. We were accompanied on the tour by the 6 resident dogs which just made my day. The pool was delightful and the night sky stunning. I would have given 5 stars, but we arrived after a long day of driving to find only a caretaker. The owner was travelling so we felt a little lost. The property is located a fair distance from any towns or restaurants and we did not have access to coffee in the mornings. There is a kitchen there. It is just important to know to bring everything that you might need. Given that, I highly recommend this property.

Herdade da Maroteira was a “destination” in and of itself. It’s a more than 1500 square foot farmhouse with authentic rustic charm. Philip and Marguerita were exceptional hosts. We swam and watched spectacular sunsets from the infinity pool, walked or hiked some of the many trails, took a bumpy Jeep tour through a 500 hectare cork farm, and actually watched the workers stripping cork from the trees. The house itself was spacious and well furnished, and the bed was comfortable. Everything was spotlessly clean. There were purple flowers and lemon trees outside our windows and a large private terrace with panoramic views. The World Heritage City of Evora was an easy 35 km away. We would definitely go back and definitely recommend it to family and friends. The pictures on the website - beautiful as they are - don’t do it justice. We also loved starting our trip in the Alentejo region in Portugal’s interior - less traveled but no less impressive than the big cities of Lisbon and Porto.

Beautiful part of original farmhouse with extensive views over the cork farm and vineyard. It is enormous and beautifully furnished with antiques. The lovely owners arranged a great jeep tour of the estate and super wine tasting. A great central location for visiting the lovely walled towns of the region. Super pool with views.

Four of us stayed at the farm for 5 nights. We enjoyed the experience thoroughly. The accommodation is first rate with many elements that reflect the family's long history at the property. There is a tour of the farm given by Jose that should not be missed not only for the wonderful scenery but to learn about cork and the vineyard that is on the property. Our host was most gracious and did arrange for us to have two wonderful meals in nearby restaurants. Recommend highly for a very different experience.

As a returning guest what Can I say....I'll be back

We loved staying here. Originally booked the main farmhouse for 1 week and enjoyed it so much we extended our stay. Unfortunately, the main farmhouse was booked so we had to move to Til’s - also very nice. Still prefer the main farmhouse though. Owner’s, Phil and Marge, are warm and welcoming, and the dogs and cats are most amusing and fun. Great pool, beautiful views. Really enjoyed the Jeep tour of the cork farm. Highly recommend. Our guide, David, was a lot of fun and informative. Not only does the farm produce cork but is also in the business of wine making, which by the way is excellent. This is definitely a place to stay if you want to relax and enjoy the countryside and small villages. Well located for visiting nearby towns of Evora, Maroteira, Estremoz and Elvas. Our only complaint was the bed was a little hard but we did get used to it. Would still prefer a softer bed.

We had been following Maroteira for several years and finally were able to visit. Very nice in all respects. The house was comfortable and could easily handle four adults or a family. Our tour of the property with Jesu was wonderful and the dogs were a hoot! No words can adequately describe the space, the beauty and the quiet. Amazing. Would have liked some time with Philip but this is a working farm/business so it was not possible. We were a little surprised that there was no premium red available, the Cem Reis. One of the main reasons we chose Maroteira. Would like to return but for a longer visit.

We had a lovely stay and especially appreciated philip's red wines and the company of the dogs as we went on walks through the cork in Oak Forest. The jeep tour of the farm by Ze was fun and seeing the stripped cork. They've just added a beautiful pool with fabulous view, day trips were easy to 3 interesting cities . We appreciated the 1903 manor farm house for comfort and ambience, the family interaction was perfect too!

Never in my life had I had a better travel experience.

What a lovely way to travel to a place in time where sheep and cows and dogs and trees and a shepherd and the weather rule! Yes. There is internet. Yes. There is plumbing. But most of all, there is peace and quiet and beauty.

All five of us (60-yr old women from Minnesota) LOVED our stay at Herdade da Maroteira. The ranch is fascinating ! The owners and staff SO accommodating. The old farmhouse was clean, interesting, and fun to stay in, and the view is beautiful. We loved our jeep tour and wine tasting, and got wonderful advice for touring the area. We highly recommend staying here.

Nous avons passé une très belle semaine dans cette maison pleine de charme, spacieuse et confortable pour 4 personnes. La vue sur la campagne environnante est superbe et reposante. La maison est accolée à l'habitation des propriétaires, très accueillants, souriants et attentionnés en toute discrétion...merci encore pour la réservation du transport en bus et pour nos discussions très enrichissantes! Petite précision concernant la piscine: elle se situe à une petite dizaine de minutes de marche de la maison

This is a comfortable, old fashioned farmhouse on a farm which grows grapes for wine and trees for cork. Wonderfully sunny area in front of the house to barbecue and eat dinner, a great collection of books to read and good air-conditioning for when it gets hot in the afternoon. My daughter loved the swimming pool and the dogs.

We stayed in the farmhouse with 2 children (2 and 5). Lovely, characterful place to stay, well-equipped and very clean. Good space on the terrace for playing, with panoramic views. Mollet family very welcoming and helpful. Dogs very friendly and lively - might just be a bit too lively for little ones (or others) who are not comfortable with dogs. (Our two little ones loved them 95% of the time and were just a little bit over-awed by them on rare, brief occasions). Our 5 year old loved exploring around the farm. The estate's own wines are very fine and mummy and daddy loved exploring those. The area around has loads to see - castles, delightful medieval towns, markets, megalithic sites etc. Would heartily recommend.

Maroteira turned out to be everything we had hoped for and more. We were looking for a place where we could centre ourselves to explore the Alentejo and yet have a quite base to relax on the days when we just wanted to chill out and read books. The farm house is about a mile from the perimeter of the farm on a private road which winds up through cork trees. The only sound to be heard is the occasional tinkling of goats bells. The beautifully furnished and extremely well equipped stone built house is well over a hundred years old and it is easy to imagine life when the only transport was pulled by a horse or donkey. The house was very clean and its construction ensured it was always comfortably cool even when the outside temperature was baking hot. The nearby small town of Redondo has a small supermarket locked in a 1960’s time warp where essential supplies can be obtained. A large, modern, more customer orientated supermarket can be found thirty minutes’ drive away on the outskirts of Estremoz. The roads in the Alentejo are well surfaced and completely deserted of vehicles making driving a real pleasure. Philip and Margarite are excellent hosts always ready and willing to help with advice when needed but equally quite happy to leave their guests to their own devices, if that are what they want. The wines produced by Philip are very good with the red being excellent, make certain to try some. We are looking forward to staying at Maroteira again in the future.

March is not the warmest time but we appreciated Philip's central heating and unlimited supply of logs. The view is magnificent and the farm is full of interest,cork trees,vines,sheep,goats,hens,not to mention five friendly dogs. No shortage of lemons and oranges either! Too cold for the swimming pool but beautifully situated away from the house but not too far to walk. There has not been the enormous amount of building development in the Alentejo that exists in some places in Portugal. Traffic is minimal by our urban standards and all the historic locations can be reached easily without getting lost in the suburbs. Philip and Margarite were as helpful and friendly as they could possibly be and we look forward to going back.

My wife and I stayed here in October 2010 and had the best time. It is off the beaten track but easily accessable to lots of world class attractions ie Avora, monoliths 2000 years older than stonehenge, largest man made lake in Europe and more. But the best bit was when Philip took us on a farm tour and explained about the cork trees, the black pigs and the winery. The accommodation was sensational and really comfortable. I would highly recommend this farmhouse for a self catering holiday where you can fall in love with the real Portugal.

We have been regular visitors to Alentejo over many years and this was our second visit to Herdade de Maroteira, this time staying in the farmhouse rather than the cottage. Despite the chilly and wet weather we enjoyed revisiting this peaceful and idyllic location. The farmhouse is beautifully furnished and presented, giving a real sense of traditional country estate life, although it felt rather big for just the two of us! – overall the cottage has a more cosy atmosphere for a couple. The spring wildflowers were fantastic once again and we never tire of this beautiful landscape with its cork oaks, traditional villages, castles, colourful birds and wide-ranging views across rolling countryside. Phillip & Marge are thoughtful and welcoming hosts and on our previous visit Phillip helped translate when we needed new tyres in Evora, which was much appreciated. This is a great place for a relaxing stay in a lovely setting where you can really feel part of traditional rural Portugal.

Dear Margrete, dear Phillip, we have been searching a farmhouse away from tourist centers and the seaside. Your destination is a wonderful farmhouse for families and it is a perfect location to discover the nature, cities around. Your warm welcome was excellent and there was no different between you and our home. The next supermarket is only a few minutes away from your house and you find all necessary goods for breakfast, lunch, dinner, toilet articles and everything you need. If we asked for recommandations our something else you were always present and feed us with all needs. So we had dinner in a lot of different restaurants in the surroundings. The best recommandation we got is from our sun (13 yrs.) "dady once a day after my study I will invite you all to this fine restaurant in Estremoz". Believe me, we'll do it and come back to enjoy dinner once again. It was very well that our little daugther played with your toyes. By the way the photos has given a real view / impression about all the rooms. If you searching for a fine calm country side destination I think this framhouse is the best choice you can find. Mikel

We have just returned from a two week stay at this wonderful Alentejano farm house and we will carry the memories forever. The house is spacious, well equiped, and boasts a lovely outdoor area with a view that is "to die for." The location is remote but, at the same time, easily accessible to many wonderful destinations such as Evora, Estremoz, Vila Vicosa, Moura, Serpa, Arraiolos, Marvao; the list goes on and on. A highlight of our farm experience was the tour of the vast property. We learned about cork harvesting, raising pigs, the vineyard much more. Though these experiences were wonderful, the most memorable part was time spent with the owners. Margarida and Philip helped make the stay very special. They are interesting, caring, and always there to help and we left feeling that we made friends who we will always think of and care about. It was always special to spend time with them, their two children, and the farm dogs whom we grew attached to. If you are looking for a comfortable haven where you can rest, explore, and see the true beauty of Portugal, this is the place!