Guests can lounge amongst orange trees and a water basin in the secluded courtyard of this dreamy Portuguese guesthouse by Jordi Fornells and Rolf Heinemann of Vora Arquitectura (+ slideshow).

Above: photograph is by Alexander Gempeler

The communal living rooms of Villa Extramuros open out onto the central courtyard and the dining room has a terrace that faces the surrounding fields and olive trees.

The five guest suites are located on the first floor and each have their own private terrace, two of which overlook the nearby Arraiolos Castle.

Floors and ceilings inside the building are concrete, while cork lines a selection of exterior walls and surfaces.

Furnishings comprise a mixture of designer pieces and traditional local textiles and objects.

Other attractive guesthouses we've featured include a series of cabins in Mexico and a guesthouse of furniture-filled caves in Sicily.

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Photography is by Adrià Goula, apart from where otherwise stated.

Here's a lengthier description from the hotel owners:

Villa Extramuros

The Villa Extramuros is located in Arriolos, Alentejo, at mid distance between Lisbon and Spain, and very close to Evora, member of World Heritage Cities.

In the heart of a preserved landscape of cork oaks and olive trees, and in a region rich of centuries of History and Culture, we invite you to come and discover a small villa-hotel of contemporary charm, immersed into nature.

Inspired by the traditional design of latin mansions and medieval convents, around a patio, the contemporary architecture of Villa Extramuros reflects the charms of villages in Southern and Mediterranean Europe.

Living spaces are hidden and protected from the outside in order to allow more privacy, but offer luminous views from inside.

Above: photograph is by Alexander Gempeler

Orange- trees, a fountain, sheltered and panoramic terraces, enhance the attractiveness of the building.

The internal fitting of our villa-hotel gathers raw concrete, glass and marble. The ground is of waxed concrete.

The decoration - carried out by the Parisians owners - is widely composed of pieces of designers from the 1950's to now (from Jean Prouve and Charlotte Perriand, to Marc Newson and Konstantin Grcic, going through Pierre Paulin, Joe Colombo, Jasper Morrison for example).

But it also mixes with remarkable pieces of local Alentejan handicraft (carpets, blankets, cork, bowls, tiles, etc). And with the ones of young contemporary photographers such as Edgar Martins or Adriá Goula.

Above: photograph is by Alexander Gempeler

The Villa Extramuros offers 3 standard rooms and 2 superior rooms, all of them with a vast private terrace.

Here too, cork, marble and waxed concrete are the base of a minimalist decoration, leaving the primary to the outside landscape through the windows.

All rooms are equipped with a large wardrobe, a minibar, a safe, and with air conditioning, satellite TV, iPod dock and Wi-fi access.

Superior rooms benefit from the most spectacular views over the castle or the countryside, from the largest terraces and from specific design furniture and dedicated attentions.

Above: photograph is by Alexander Gempeler

The bathrooms are spacious, arranged with rain showers in Estemoz marble and heating floor.

Natural lighting from the roof and indirect lighting with LED provide a smooth atmosphere.

Above all the Villa Extramuros invites you to cool down far from the stress of the city.

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But you can anyway choose to practice many activities:

- our infinite 15m long swimming pool, perfect for swimmers, surrounded by a large terrace with sun-beds among olive trees. There is also a small pool for children.

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- the park, of 5 hectares of olive trees and oaks, where you can walk, run, nap, read, exercise, watch birds and other animals, or even have a picnic.

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- Diverse sports, wellness or cultural activities can be organised for you on site or nearby, such as massage, gym with a personal trainer, visits to wineries and farms cross country bicycle rides, horse and carriage rides and boat trips and aquatic sports.