Octant Évora

Eleven hectares of Alentejo countryside (Herdade do Perdiganito) - vast lawns, cork oaks, olive groves, and outdoor pools you can actually walk between without crossing a road. There are villas as well as rooms, which matters with kids: the villa setup gives you proper space and a private terrace. Stroller-flat throughout, low-density, very little noise. Bring sun hats - there's not much hard shade on the lawn at midday.

This is one of those rare places where you don't spend the day managing the trip. You just move through it. Spa, Alentejo wine programme, and a restaurant that takes its food seriously without being precious about it. Staff are quiet and present rather than performative. Évora itself is a 15-minute drive when you want a half-day out.

Choose a villa or a connecting two-room setup if you have small kids - the room categories vary, so confirm the configuration before booking. Travel cot and high chair on request. Blackout works in both rooms. The villa option in particular gives you a separate living space, which is the difference between a holiday and a long bedtime.

Car needed but only just - Évora is 15 min away on a good road, Lisbon airport 90 min. The hotel grounds are stroller-flat throughout. Pack repellent for evenings on the terrace in summer; it's countryside.

Simple, reliable, nothing complicated - works well with kids, no stress around meals. Breakfast included and very good. Restaurant is design-conscious but kid-tolerant, with simpler options on request. The wine list is the whole region in a book, which is reason enough to stay an extra night and arrange a sitter.

• LunchBotequim da MourariaTiny family-run spot - stay 30 mins or 3 hours, both work.
• ActivityAlmendres CromlechStanding stones older than Stonehenge in an open meadow.