Rooms + Rates
per night| Double room | from155 € |
| Suite | from185 € |
More about this accommodation on our blog
Backstage
3. August 2022
Finding balance barefoot in Olhão
Convento is located in the Algarve of Portugal, in the middle of the old town of Olhão, surrounded by narrow cobblestone streets. Convento is a place of tranquility and has a patio in which a fountain splashes quietly. The patio is reminiscent of a Moroccan riad and reflects the Algarve's Moorish past.
The whole house is bathed in a calm white, which is combined with a few splashes of color here and there: In the rooms, the white of the curtains and sofas harmonize with the honey-colored wooden floor. The rooms are spacious, flooded with light and have high walls. Only the two rooms on the roof terrace are a bit smaller with 23 m². Most of the rooms offer a view of the patio with the bougainvilleas. The guests who have one of the two terrace rooms see the sea or their own private patio. On the ground floor there is a sitting area that invites you to linger and a large roof terrace, which extends over several levels and allows sunbathing.
The hosts of Convento are Antje and Guillaume, who acquired the accommodation as a family project together with their sister and brother-in-law, Filipe and Eleonore. They were also responsible for the extensive renovation of the house. The four spontaneously decided to buy Convento to save it from demolition and decided later to turn it into a B&B.
Their vision is to offer a place of relaxation and the luxury to enjoy the simple things in life - the bright sun, the blue sky, a coffee, wide beaches and freshly grilled fish.
If you like, you can take a look backstage in Convento on our blog.
Characteristics
- Small charming B&B in the center of Olhão, an authentic little fishing village in the Algarve
- Wonderful view from the roof terrace of the white roofs of Olhão and the sea
- Seasonal homemade breakfast included
- Protected inner courtyard with a small fountain
- Markets, restaurants, bars and shops are within walking distance
- Guided hikes and tours possible (e.g. birdwatching in the Ria Formosa or discovering the Algarvian country side)
- Boat tours available to explore the islands and the Ria Formosa ecosystem
- Various excursion options and activities in the area: Ria Formosa nature reserve with the islands of Armona, Culatra and Deserta with their miles of sandy beaches (to be reached by ferry or water taxi), the cities of Faro and Tavira, and much more.
Sustainable
Convento blends in harmoniously with the cubist architecture of Olhão: a whitewashed building with a large roof terrace. The traditional construction around an open patio promotes air circulation. The thick walls of the original building were specially insulated again to keep the heat out. As far as possible, original materials were reused, bricks, stones, wood and the terracotta tiles on the roof terrace. Some pieces of furniture, such as the sofas in the rooms or the sun loungers on the terrace, were designed and made by the owners themselves. Other pieces of furniture are second hand and give each room its own special touch. The senhorinhas (small Portuguese armchairs) or the chairs of the dining table have been repainted and upholstered. All the companies that were involved in the renovation come from Olhão or the surrounding area. Local materials were used everywhere: from the wood for the wooden floors and beams to the azulejos (tiles) in the patio to the marble in the showers. The outer facade and the terraces are regularly whitewashed using the traditional methods.
Every morning, guests can look forward to a generous breakfast: fresh bread and rolls, often homemade cakes, cheese and ham or various egg dishes. The jams, granola and yoghurt are homemade. A platter of seasonal fruits rounds off the breakfast. The groceries are bought at the Mercado de Olhão, which is only a minutes' walk from Convento. The hosts pay attention to seasonality and are grateful that the Algarve offers a large selection of fruit and vegetables, including tropical fruits such as bananas and papayas. Silvia, one of the employees, supplies the property with fresh eggs from her own chickens.
Two team members from the region work at the Convento. The hosts attach great importance to the compatibility of work and family life.
The property places great emphasis on reducing waste: instead of offering plastic bottles with water, guests will fi nd glass carafes with fi ltered water in the rooms, which they can refill at any time. In the honesty fridge you will fi nd wine, beer and cava as well as glass bottles with fi ltered water to avoid plastic bottles. Leftovers are fed to the employee's chickens. Coffee capsules are deliberately avoided and ground coffee is used instead. Cooling is provided by natural ventilation and ceiling fans instead of waste full air conditioning. Convento uses ecological products for cleaning.
The hosts offer oil and Thai massages, and yoga classes can be booked on request. On the roof terrace, the pool invites you to cool off. The large terrace offers sun loungers and seating on different levels and is ideal for sunbathing while admiring the Ria Formosa Natural Park..
Features
- B&B with 9 rooms and suites
- Breakfast included in the room price
- Patio and roof terrace with pool
- Oil and Thai massages
- Yoga lessons on request
- Bike rental can be reached in a few minutes
- Children aged 13 and over are welcome
Testimonials
On the Eastern side of the Algarve, Olhão has long drawn artists from all over Europe who come for its beautiful light and views over the Ria Formosa. The serene Convento is hidden down a side street and comprises nine rooms over three floors around a central patio open to the blue skies.
The main aim in life is the achievement of tranquillity and contentment. Thus, with the fluff and detritus of life stripped away, to find yourself in Olhão is to find yourself. By travelling here you’re encouraged to leave your self behind and get closer to yourself, for Olhão is not just a place to come to, it is a place just to be.