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Characterful European Hotels

We pride ourselves on our knack for seeking out hidden gems in off-the beaten track locations. Characterful, often family-run and always with a warm welcome, these hotels act as portals to local experiences and lesser-known sights. Here are a round-up of our firm favourites.

Characterful European Hotels

We pride ourselves on our knack for seeking out hidden gems in off-the beaten track locations. Characterful, often family-run and always with a warm welcome, these hotels act as portals to local experiences and lesser-known sights. Here are a round-up of our firm favourites.

Craveiral Farmhouse

Alentejo, Portugal

Situated in the rural wilds of Portugal’s Alentejan countryside, Craveiral Farmhouse is a rustic chic collection of abodes with a palpable sense of sustainability which is very apparent when you stay here.

Boardwalks sit over native flora that connect the clusters of white-washed low-rise accommodation, which all come with well equipped kitchens and bathtubs, decorated in cork and olive wood. Families and couples alike cycle to and from the pool, spa, restaurant, pizzeria and farm – where a menagerie of animals await for petting or riding, plus the productive chickens who provide eggs for breakfast. A sauna and outdoor ice bath sit in the forest and nearby the ruggedly beautiful Costa Vicente has great waves
for surf lessons.

Don’t miss dinner at the al fresco restaurant for delicious rainbow-hued salads, pizzas and traditional stews. Life at Craveiral feels wholesome and eco-friendly.

Craveiral take their sustainability seriously and it’s interesting to see what that looks and feels like. We oved the generous welcome hamper of homegrown produce and staff were incredibly friendly. Craveiral has a homely yet stylish ambience with huge feel-good factor.
Craveiral take their sustainability seriously and it’s interesting to see what that looks and feels like. We oved the generous welcome hamper of homegrown produce and staff were incredibly friendly. Craveiral has a homely yet stylish ambience with huge feel-good factor.
Dexamenes is the perfect place to chill after a day exploring the nearby archaeological site of Olympia. Our favourite room is the Beach Front Wine Tank Suite, minimalist in design, with a huge shower and an amazing view.

Industrial chic Dexamenes Seaside Hotel is a bold restoration set within an abandoned wine factory, located on a wild beach in Greece’s off-radar western Peloponnese region. Suiting those that appreciate modern design, the hotel has been cleverly reimagined from the existing wine silos, allowing clean lines and geometric forms to create a contemporary style.

Dexamenes Seaside Hotel sits right on the beach, perfect for strolls on the sandy shore or swims in the calm Ionian Sea. Sunsets here are a joy, allowing you to close out the day peacefully before dinner in the taverna set within the engine room of the winery. Locally grown produce is skilfully fused to create classic Peloponnese dishes that reflect local culinary traditions, and there is also an impressive wine list as you might expect.

Dexamenes is the perfect place to chill after a day exploring the nearby archaeological site of Olympia. Our favourite room is the Beach Front Wine Tank Suite, minimalist in design, with a huge shower and an amazing view.

Dexamenes Seaside Hotel

Peloponnese, Greece

Industrial chic Dexamenes Seaside Hotel is a bold restoration set within an abandoned wine factory, located on a wild beach in Greece’s off-radar western Peloponnese region. Suiting those that appreciate modern design, the hotel has been cleverly reimagined from the existing wine silos, allowing clean lines and geometric forms to create a contemporary style.

Dexamenes Seaside Hotel sits right on the beach, perfect for strolls on the sandy shore or swims in the calm Ionian Sea. Sunsets here are a joy, allowing you to close out the day peacefully before dinner in the taverna set within the engine room of the winery. Locally grown produce is skilfully fused to create classic Peloponnese dishes that reflect local culinary traditions, and there is also an impressive wine list as you might expect.

Dexamenes is the perfect place to chill after a day exploring the nearby archaeological site of Olympia. Our favourite room is the Beach Front Wine Tank Suite, minimalist in design, with a huge shower and an amazing view.

La Fuente de la Higuera

Andalucia, Spain

Clasped by peaceful Andalucian countryside, La Fuente de la Higuera is hidden in the hills, just ten minutes’ drive from Ronda, surrounded by pointy pine trees, overflowing greenery and serene, sweeping valley views.

Suites are a highlight at La Fuente de la Higuera, generous in size and decorated in a grand yet comfortable style with fireplaces, sofas to sink into, rolltop baths and furnished terraces – the perfect spot to sample award-winning wines from the local bodega. Enjoy dips in the pool, hikes directly from the hotel or anticipate a starlit dinner on the terrace, with homegrown produce served with gastronomic elegance. The ideal long weekend or stop on a Malaga-to-Seville road trip.

We discovered Kavos Naxos back in 2007 and couldn’t wait to offer it to our Real Holidays customers. The combination of stylish living spaces and the convenience of your own kitchen paired with the attractive surroundings of this owner-managed resort make a stay here very special.

The island of Naxos has been a Real Holidays favourite for some time. With its golden beaches, lush mountainous interior, a pretty harbour and lost-intime villages, the largest of the Greek Cycladic isles is easy to love.

Within walking distance of the azure waters of Agios Prokopios beach, the resort of Kavos Naxos is a collection of stone cottages, apartments and villas, all coming with shady, vine-covered terraces and sea views, decorated in soothing Cycladic white tones. The hotel’s pool is great for cooling off and we highly recommend sunset cocktails, watching the sun slide into the sea as you sip an icy mojito. Spend the evening in Naxos Town, wandering its cobbled streets before dinner at a taverna in the harbour. Greek island life at its best.

We discovered Kavos Naxos back in 2007 and couldn’t wait to offer it to our Real Holidays customers. The combination of stylish living spaces and the convenience of your own kitchen paired with the attractive surroundings of this owner-managed resort make a stay here very special.

Kavos Naxos

Naxos, Greece

The island of Naxos has been a Real Holidays favourite for some time. With its golden beaches, lush mountainous interior, a pretty harbour and lost-intime villages, the largest of the Greek Cycladic isles is easy to love.

Within walking distance of the azure waters of Agios Prokopios beach, the resort of Kavos Naxos is a collection of stone cottages, apartments and villas, all coming with shady, vine-covered terraces and sea views, decorated in soothing Cycladic white tones. The hotel’s pool is great for cooling off and we highly recommend sunset cocktails, watching the sun slide into the sea as you sip an icy mojito. Spend the evening in Naxos Town, wandering its cobbled streets before dinner at a taverna in the harbour. Greek island life at its best.

We discovered Kavos Naxos back in 2007 and couldn’t wait to offer it to our Real Holidays customers. The combination of stylish living spaces and the convenience of your own kitchen paired with the attractive surroundings of this owner-managed resort make a stay here very special.

Locanda Rossa

Tuscany, Italy

Framed by the endlessly picturesque rolling hills of Tuscany’s coastal Maremma region, Locanda Rossa is located near sandy beaches and the medieval village of Capalbio. A restored farmhouse, Locanda Rossa is wrapped by acres of olive trees, creating a bucolic idyll where relaxation beckons. With two pools, a spa and hammam, a wine bar and tennis court, there’s plenty to entertain couples and families, plus the rustic farm-to-table restaurant is a wonderful display of garden-grown vegetables and traditional Tuscan dishes, which you can learn to cook with the chef in a cookery class.

Nearby are medieval villages to explore, birds to spot on Lake Burano and vineyards to taste local wines.

The service here is a standout for us - warm and sincere. We really felt at home at Locanda Rossa, relaxed and carefree - we could happily have stayed much longer in this peaceful part of coastal Tuscany.
The service here is a standout for us - warm and sincere. We really felt at home at Locanda Rossa, relaxed and carefree - we could happily have stayed much longer in this peaceful part of coastal Tuscany.
Masseria Montelauro is a dreamily authentic Puglian property – we love the rooms that are located in the original farmhouse which have vaulted ceilings and lots of character, looking out onto the flower-filled garden and pool.

Located in the Salento region of southern Puglia, family-owned Masseria Montelauro is well placed to explore the classic Puglian beachside towns of Otrano, Gallipoli and Baroque beauty Lecce as well as the glorious sandy beaches of the area. Yet the traditional farmhouse, set in peaceful countryside is very much a lure in itself. Surrounded by olive and orange groves, the historic farmhouse with large pool has undergone a meticulous restoration and the creamy stone walls and barrel vaulted suites give an atmospheric sense of place. Layered on top of this is classic Apulian hospitality from breakfasts of freshly made focaccia and fresh fruit, aperitivo by the pool to crafted lunches and dinners showcasing local ingredients and family recipes.

Masseria Montelauro is a dreamily authentic Puglian property – we love the rooms that are located in the original farmhouse which have vaulted ceilings and lots of character, looking out onto the flower-filled garden and pool.

Masseria Montelauro

Puglia, Italy

Located in the Salento region of southern Puglia, family-owned Masseria Montelauro is well placed to explore the classic Puglian beachside towns of Otrano, Gallipoli and Baroque beauty Lecce as well as the glorious sandy beaches of the area. Yet the traditional farmhouse, set in peaceful countryside is very much a lure in itself. Surrounded by olive and orange groves, the historic farmhouse with large pool has undergone a meticulous restoration and the creamy stone walls and barrel vaulted suites give an atmospheric sense of place. Layered on top of this is classic Apulian hospitality from breakfasts of freshly made focaccia and fresh fruit, aperitivo by the pool to crafted lunches and dinners showcasing local ingredients and family recipes.

Masseria Montelauro is a dreamily authentic Puglian property – we love the rooms that are located in the original farmhouse which have vaulted ceilings and lots of character, looking out onto the flower-filled garden and pool.
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