Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel: a sustainable boutique hotel in tranquil Alvados
What a sight! I stayed here during my trip from Porto to Lisbon. I thoroughly enjoyed the peace and quiet, the charming decor, and the natural surroundings. Looking for a unique and sustainable boutique hotel in Portugal? The Cooking & Nature Emotional Hotel in Alvados is a hidden gem nestled among centuries-old olive groves. This extraordinary hotel combines luxury, nature, and gastronomy in an inspiring way.
Staying Overnight in a Cinematic Setting
The Cooking & Nature Emotional Hotel offers 12 unique rooms, each with its own theme inspired by famous movie classics. From romantic to adventurous settings, each room tells a story. Thanks to the intimate atmosphere and attention to detail, a stay here feels like a special experience, completely in harmony with nature.
Serras D’Aire e Candeeiros Nature Park: Hiking and Biking
The hotel is located on the edge of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Nature Park, a paradise for nature lovers. From the hotel, you have a beautiful view of the rolling hills and olive groves. We enjoyed a fantastic e-bike trip using GPX routes. The area is perfect for:
- Hiking past impressive limestone formations and caves.
- (E-)biking along quiet roads with breathtaking views.
- A visit to the Alcobaça Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just a half-hour drive away.
Fine dining and relaxation at the Cooking and Nature Hotel
The charming little village of Alvados is small and authentic, with a few restaurants and amenities about 10 km away. A culinary must-try is The Nest (which also offers accommodations), a fine-dining restaurant just 200 meters from the hotel. Here, you can enjoy refined dishes prepared with natural, local ingredients.
Do you really want to unwind? The hotel offers a variety of wellness options, such as:
- Massages and yoga classes—perfect for making your stay even more relaxing.
- Seasonal cooking workshops where you learn to cook with local ingredients.
- Pottery workshops led by artist José Siphioni (check out his Instagram!).
Meditative Walk in Nature
Sensory Walk & Nature Bath: Would you like to enjoy mindfulness in a natural setting—alone, as a couple, or as a group? Then take a meditative walk in Alvados, which combines mindfulness, yoga, and a tea ritual featuring traditional herbs from the Serra d’Aire e Candeeiros. An experience of connecting with nature to reduce stress and foster a moment of introspection, engaging all the senses with the four elements of nature: conscious breathing, practicing freedom of movement, and guided meditation. Advance reservations are required, subject to availability and for a fee.
Sustainability at Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel
Sustainability is at the heart of Cooking & Nature. The philosophy of the Cooking & Nature hotel is to foster environmental, cultural, and social awareness with the goal of creating a more sustainable world. The hotel earned Biosphere – Sustainable Lifestyle certification in September 2023 and was even named Portugal’s best sustainable hotel in 2024. This means that the hotel actively contributes to:
- Environmentally friendly initiatives, such as energy-efficient facilities and waste reduction.
- Cultural awareness, through collaborations with local artists and artisans.
- Social sustainability, by supporting the community and local entrepreneurs.
Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel: A Unique and Sustainable Experience
The Cooking & Nature Emotional Hotel is the perfect place if you want to combine peace and quiet, nature, and luxury with a sustainable lifestyle. Whether you’re coming for an active vacation, culinary delights, or pure relaxation, this hotel offers it all.
Would you like to book a stay? Be sure to make your reservation early, especially if you have a specific room or activity in mind!
Tip: Combine your stay with a road trip through Central Portugal and discover even more hidden gems in the region!
Read more here about my road trip between Porto and Lisbon.

About the accommodation
- 12 rooms
- In the heart of the Serra d’Aire and Candeeiros Nature Park
- 1 hour from Lisbon and 2 hours from Porto
- 12 unique rooms with a special atmosphere
- Restaurant and Cooking Classes
- Pottery Workshop with José Siphioni
- Alcobaça Monastery, a half-hour drive away
- Hiking and Biking Excursions
- Wellness, yoga, and massages
More information about sustainable accommodations in Europe
Please check availability with the property. The owner will respond as soon as possible.
Sustainability
- Built with sustainable materials and architectural design
- Cork Cladding at Cooking Hotel, Wooden Construction at the Nest
- Natural Heating and Temperature Control
- Preserve all flora and fauna during construction
- Solar panels, heat pumps, and photovoltaic panels for electrical energy
- Zero-Plastic Policy
- Water Reuse
- Eco-friendly cleaning products
- Zero-Waste Policy in the Kitchen
- Supports the local economy by purchasing local and regional products and services from the Serra de Aire e Candeeiros Nature Park
- Co-development of ecosystem projects in Serra de Aire e Candeeiros to conserve the forest and the red-billed jackdaw, which served as inspiration for the construction and design of one of the apartments in the Nest
Service
- Swimming Pool
- Wi-Fi
- Pets allowed
- Restaurant
- Cooking Workshops
- Wellness
- Massages and yoga classes available upon request
- Pottery Workshop (by request)
- Airport transfers are available upon request
- E-bike rentals with GPX routes
- 6 hiking trails, with a guide upon request











