- Christian Louboutin has added two lavish private villas to Vermelho Hotel, his boutique hotel in Melides, located in the Alentejo region of Portugal
- It comes two years after the French footwear designer’s first foray into hospitality with the launch of the 13-room boutique hotel
- The villas are located ten minutes from the hotel and represent a departure from the Portuguese architectural style of Vermelho Hotel
- There’s the creative sanctuary La Salvada and nautical-inspired La Maison des Bateaux; both are two-bedroom villas, with the former sleeping four and the latter sleeping six
Proving the art of hospitality is not a mere fleeting phase but one that’s truly embedded in his soles, Christian Louboutin has launched two breathtaking private villas in Portugal’s Alentejo countryside.
Drawing from the maximalist spirit of the Vermelho Hotel, the duo of private villas take on a new form. While the 13-room boutique hotel employed hallmarks of Manueline architecture mated to Monsieur Louboutin’s idiosyncratic take on stylish eclecticism, the new secluded villas deviate from this architectural style with each space taking on a distinct aesthetic.
La Salvada is the result of a meeting of the minds between Egyptian architect Tarek Shamma with interiors by Louboutin, taking its cues from Moroccan architecture, executed with a deft touch and through rose-coloured glasses — literally, the villa is tinged in the pale pink hue.
Surrounded by wildflowers and accommodating up to four guests, the external architecture resembles that of a kasbah; a fitting aesthetic for what promises to be a fortress designed to facilitate art and quiet contemplation. Where the interiors at Vermelho Hotel were laced with extravagance and opulence, the internal spaces at La Salvada are crafted to inspire and soothe in equal measure. A soft, sandy palette is accented with flashes of red, emerald, and indigo, while locally crafted furniture and decor roots the space in place.
Meanwhile, La Maison des Bateaux is tucked within rice fields and sees a traditional Alentejan boathouse converted into a two-bedroom luxury residence that sleeps up to six guests. The whitewashed boathouse is punctuated with cobalt blue and incorporates nautical elements into its design — perhaps best seen in the bathrooms which incorporate repurposed windows from old ships. The maritime influence extends throughout the boathouse, with miniature boats on the walls, shell-cluster lamps, and a colour palette of cream, cobalt blue, and terracotta.
Both villas have a full kitchen with guests able to arrange private chefs through the Vermelho team. La Maison des Bateaux has an outdoor pool with a generously sized deck, while La Salvada is home to a compact plunge pool.
While both properties are completely secluded from the Vermelho Hotel—not to mention from each other—guests of La Salvada and La Maison des Bateaux are provided full access to facilities at the boutique hotel, including the on-site Xtian restaurant, Bar Vermelho, and spa treatment rooms, as well as additional services available through the concierge (think personal shopping, curated excursions within the region, and beach club access).
The villas are managed by Marugal Hotel Management, which also oversees Vermelho Hotel.
La Maison des Bateaux is priced from €1700/night (approx. $3060AUD/night), while La Salvada starts from €2200/night (approx. $3960AUD/night).
Words by Theo Rosen
