The Area: In the quiet Sotavento (Eastern) Algarve, in Cabanas de Tavira, between the historic town of Tavira and Cacela Velha, a picturesque clifftop fishing village, and just 1.5km from the Formosa delta and the deserted beaches that are its best-kept secret.

The DNA: Pensão Agrícola is a hip b&b, set in a small farmhouse framed by orange, fig, almond and arbutus trees. Once owned by the Silva Gomes family, it was built in 1920 as a wedding present to the owners’ only daughter and it remained a working farm until 1970. After 40 years of neglect, the memories of those more prosperous times have been preserved and incorporated into the current architectural project. On the shady terrace guests can enjoy a delicious, generous breakfast, or take other light meals by the plunge pool (heated in winter). All comings and goings at are done under the watchful eye of Ernesto, the farm’s faithful guardian donkey, who – if invited – won’t hesitate to take a walk with guests.

Suite-Me-Up: The six bedrooms are all different: three are part of the main farmhouse and three lie in the garden. All have private patios. All the bathrooms have huge rain showers (no baths), under-floor heating and natural light with freestanding basins. Simple in feel, white shutters open to let in bright light, while white cotton-clad beds have woven brown rugs at their feet.

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 6 rooms (19-35m2) (205-377 sq ft) • hotel opened: 2016 • architecture & interior design: Atelier RUA (Lisbon) • bathroom amenities: Novo Saboaria ✅ free on-site parking • no pets allowed • 24-hour front desk