National Geographic Highlights A-Mar-Ello Hotel as a Gateway to the Alentejo Coast

A recent article published in the travel section of National Geographic Spain invites readers to discover Santo André, one of the most peaceful and unspoiled destinations on Portugal’s Alentejo coast. At the heart of this experience, the publication highlights A-Mar-Ello Hotel Praia Santo André, Tapestry Collection by Hilton as an ideal base for exploring the region’s beaches, dunes, lagoon, and local cuisine.

Surrounded by the Natural Beauty of Santo André

While destinations such as Comporta, Porto Covo, and Vila Nova de Milfontes attract large numbers of visitors during the summer, Santo André offers a quieter way to experience the Portuguese coastline, and the National Geographic Spain team didn't miss it.

Praia da Costa de Santo André stretches for approximately five kilometers toward Melides and forms part of a continuous 60-kilometer expanse of sand between Tróia and Cape Sines. With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and an almost untouched landscape on the other, the area is particularly appealing to travelers looking for tranquility, nature, and a slower pace.

On windy days, the moderate Atlantic waves also create favorable conditions for surfing, bodyboarding, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.

Between Dunes and the Santo André Lagoon

The hotel is surrounded by one of the region’s most distinctive natural landscapes. The Santo André dune system features a rich mosaic of coastal vegetation, which can be explored through wooden walkways designed to protect this fragile ecosystem while providing access to different areas of the beach.

Nearby, the Santo André Lagoon forms part of a 5,250-hectare nature reserve and provides a habitat for an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. According to the information highlighted by National Geographic, the reserve is home to 272 bird species, 31 mammal species, more than 200 types of butterflies, 52 fish species, 15 reptile species, and around 600 species of vascular plants.

Flamingos, spoonbills, herons, and cormorants are among the aquatic birds that can be observed in this protected area, where fishing traditions such as xávega have also supported local communities for generations.

A-Mar-Ello: A Relaxed Stay by the Atlantic

Located just a few steps from the beach, A-Mar-Ello Hotel Praia Santo André, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is presented by National Geographic as a recommended starting point for discovering the region.

The four-star hotel features 44 rooms and welcoming common areas designed around the colors and materials of the surrounding landscape. Wood, wicker, natural textures, and contemporary details create a relaxed atmosphere closely connected to the character of the Alentejo coast.

Views of the ocean and dunes reinforce this relationship with the destination, offering guests a peaceful setting in which to rest, reconnect with nature, and experience a lesser-known side of Portugal.

Salgo Brings the Region to the Table

National Geographic also draws attention to Salgo, the hotel’s restaurant, where the Atlantic coast and the agricultural traditions of the Alentejo come together.

The menu is led by Miguel Rocha Vieira, Executive Chef at Ace Hospitality Management and the Portuguese chef with the most Michelin stars earned throughout his career. In Salgo’s kitchen, Chef Pedro Lisboa brings this vision to life through dishes inspired by the fishing communities and farmers of the region.

Among the restaurant’s signature proposals are arroz malandrinho with monkfish and shrimp, shrimp açorda, fish massada, slow-cooked veal, the catch of the day, octopus à lagareiro, John Dory fillets, and steamed sea bream.

Through fresh seafood, local ingredients, and traditional recipes interpreted with a contemporary approach, Salgo complements the hotel experience with an authentic expression of the destination.

The feature in National Geographic’s travel section positions A-Mar-Ello Hotel Praia Santo André, Tapestry Collection by Hilton as more than a place to stay: it is a gateway to the landscapes, flavors, and peaceful rhythm of one of the most pristine areas of the Alentejo coast.