Beautiful swimming pools, sensational bedrooms and absolute peace: in the luxury vineyard hotel in Portugal, where you will be left on a cloud…

I felt it might be the skylight.

And it was.

Every time we travel as a family, I ask them – my partner and my six-year-old daughter – what their best moments have been.

After checking out of L’and Vineyards, a 3,000-square-foot, 32-suite Relais & Chateaux retreat southwest of Lisbon in the Alentejo region, my daughter handed over the controls for the remote control of the skylight above our large double bed as an award-winning moment.

The idea is to allow guests to look at the stars in bed.

Vine and Dandy: L’and is a vineyard hotel that produces its own very impressive wine and offers a range of wine-related activities

They were sadly absent during our rainy visit in October, but said she didn’t mind when she realized she could push a button and move something back and forth.

Meanwhile, our parents enjoyed the way the skylight flooded the room with light during the day. And a whole host of other facets of this attractive building.

There was the vastness of the bedroom with its Scandinavian-elegant furniture and chic bathroom; the enchanting black slate indoor pool and the beautiful outdoor pool; the striking whitewashed modernist architecture of the studio Promontório in Lisbon; the exemplary service and the excellent cuisine.

Ted and his family were accommodated in a luxury double room (above) which had a skylight for stargazing at night and flooded the room with light during the day.

Using the electronic sunroof was a highlight of the trip for Ted’s daughter

This image shows the chic foyer with state furniture and a tall fireplace

Sip, sip, hooray: Ted enjoyed “the pure tranquility of L’and with its vineyards, olive groves and more”

We also enjoyed the pure tranquility of L’and with its vineyards, olive groves and a small lake.

And then of course there was the wine. Finally, L’and is a vineyard hotel that produces its own very impressive wine and offers a range of wine-related activities.

We took part in a make-your-own-wine experience with L’and’s experienced head sommelier, Goncalo Mendes. In the hotel’s elegant tasting room, I competed against my better half in a competition to blend L’and wines made from Alicante, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional grapes into a personal version.

After a blind taste test, I was named the (now) winner, with my winning blend professionally bottled and corked at the hotel’s winery – a lovely touch.

L’and’s “magnificent black slate indoor pool” (above) is one of many features that impressed Ted

Ted and his partner took part in an experience where they could make their own wine with L’and’s expert head sommelier, Goncalo.

Winery: rooms at Scandinavian chic L’en start from around £352 per night

The drive to the hotel was a nail-biter for Ted, as he had to cross the 17km long Vasco da Gama Bridge (above).

A tour of the nearby historic town of Evora (above) is one of the activities L’and offers guests

Other attractive activities offered by the hotel include a visit to the hill citadel at Montemor-o-Novo – a national monument dating back to the 13th century; a hot air balloon ride; Stargazing in the Alentejo Dark Sky Reserve; and tours of the nearby historic town of Evora. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the settlement is surrounded by a ring of medieval walls, houses a Roman temple and is crowned by an imposing cathedral.

Even if you don’t do any of that, you’ll still have fun driving (or being driven) from Lisbon Airport to the accommodation, as both routes take you over incredible bridges – also known as the 17km long Vasco da Gama – bridge or the Golden Gate style Ponte 25 de Abril.

We mixed up the first one on the way out and the last one on the way back. Both were impressed: striking bookends for a property that, with or without stars, is a good option for a relaxing holiday.