I've always separated expensive trips from truly luxurious ones in terms of experiences.

Anyone who follows me on social media will know that I prefer small, independent hotels that are the passion projects of entrepreneurs who are a bit crazy, I admit, but who see the stay as part of the experience of being in that specific destination.

In my opinion, Discovery Hotel Management in Portugal has found a balance between entrepreneurship, profit and keeping the soul and stories behind the properties. DHM is part of the investment fund that buys up distressed properties (of recent vintage, not decaying old palaces) in Portugal and brings them back to life. More than that: they imbue them with new life and a lot of Portuguese soul. It's more sustainable than building from scratch and the backstory makes the developments quite distinctive in terms of experience.

And so I became a fan of hotels like Douro 41, Vila Monte Farm House in the Algarve and Furnas Boutique Hotel in the Azores.

It caught my attention, however, when I heard that some of DHM's hotels were being rebranded as Octant [destination] and I went looking for more information.

The reason here is the creation of Octant Hotels, a new brand (of eight hotels) that highlights DHM's more design-oriented local hotels and adds a large dose of "freedom" to the members.

In the case of the Octant Évora, 24-hour services, including breakfast on demand at any time; the two outdoor swimming pools and the indoor heated pool can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The luxury also stands out in its kindness, empathy and efficiency, an environment where guests and staff are at ease and services and care really do take place at any time of the day or night, including a welcome ritual in the spa for arriving guests.

The involvement and commitment to local suppliers is another aspect I appreciate about this new hotel - 78% of them are based in Évora.

For the children, a pony called Mathilde, a pig called Bacon (it won't be) and a sheep called Rosemary are the sensations.

A family-run hotel that brings the Alentejo to life, with local flavors, wines, designers and colors.

Yet another novelty for luxury translated into unique, soulful and carefully designed experiences for those travelers looking for truly unforgettable moments of learning and living together.