Fodor's Expert Review Rio do Prado

"Eco-chic" is the phrase that best describes this award-winning hotel near the Óbidos Lagoon: here, wastewater is recycled, solar panels generate much of the power, and biting insects are kept at bay by amphibians in a pretty pond. Guest rooms are dotted around the landscaped grounds, half buried for insulation. Inside, earthy decoration—floors are concrete, premixed with chalk for a lovely, creamy effect—combines with contemporary design touches, as well as air-conditioning, plus a minibar, coffee machine, TV, and Wi-Fi. There's also an indoor fireplace for winter and a porch for long summer evenings—when reserving you can also request a fire pit for an extra €20 per day, though guests often gather around the common bonfire before dinner. Most vegetables and herbs served in the restaurant come from the hotel's own greenhouse. Borrow a book from one of the two mini-libraries, or make the most of the outdoor pool and bar, the small spa, and the free electric bikes.