Vermelho Melides
Christian Louboutin has masterfully crafted Vermelho Melides, an exquisite boutique hotel nestled in a small Alentejo village.
Vermelho is the brainchild of acclaimed designer Christian Louboutin who first fell in love with Melides over a decade ago. Returning year after year, he has transformed his fondness for the area into an extraordinary hotel.
Louboutin collaborated with architect Madalena Caiado and various esteemed artists and artisans to create his first hospitality project. Embracing Louboutin's signature colour, Vermelho, which means "red" in Portuguese, reflects the hotel's audacious spirit.
Entering through Vermelho's age-worn wooden doors feels like stepping into an art gallery adorned with the designers' eclectic collection of antiques, curious objects and art.
Each of the 13 rooms at Vermelho has been individually designed, providing a touch of Portuguese craftsmanship that makes it truly special. There are plenty of areas to unwind, such as the colourful gardens, a heated pool, the Indian Lounge, the excellent Restaurant XTian led by Chef David Abreu, and the adjacent hammered silver leaf Vermelho Bar.
Vermelho is one of those places that can only be fully appreciated through firsthand experience. We wholeheartedly recommend indulging in this hidden gem if it fits within your means.
Awesomeness
Vermelho is the first hospitality venture of Christian Louboutin.
Immerse yourself in a fusion of traditional craftsmanship, antique furniture, contemporary design and global artistry.
The attention to the smallest details is remarkable. Even the complimentary SPF lotions by the pool are thoughtfully coordinated with the colours of the towels.
The vibrant gardens with native flora, designed by Louis Benech.
Breakfast includes a basket of mouthwatering Portuguese and French pastries.
Bear in Mind
Due to tight building restrictions, the pool is smaller than envisioned. However, it's heated - a rarity in Portugal.
This is a place to switch off, but TVs are available on request.
All ages are welcome.
You might not want to leave.
Renowned Italian sculptor Giuseppe Ducrot was one of the artists given carte blanche by Christian Louboutin to adorn the façades of Vermelho Melides. Ducrot has created a Baroque-inspired décor with frescoes and mythological figures.
Our stunning bathroom featured a massive bathtub adorned with hand-made azulejo tiles from the renowned centuries-old Fábrica de Azulejos de Azeitão.
Vermelho's gardens, rich with local flora, offer the perfect setting for sun-soaked days by the heated pool—a haven crafted by French landscape architect Louis Benech, that blends into the Melides landscape.
We thoroughly enjoyed breakfast at Vermelho. Highlights included the array of Portuguese and French pastries that were brought to your table and the perfectly cooked a-la-carte eggs. Breakfast was delicious but also beautifully arranged, featuring tableware from Vida Dura.
Enjoy delicious meals at Restaurant XTian while seated on Maison Gatti's handcrafted chairs. Under the ownership of Alexis Dyèvre, Maison Gatti collaborated with Christian Louboutin to design the Vermelho chair, drawing inspiration from a 19th-century archival design.
Orfebrería Villarreal was commissioned to craft a hammered silver leaf bar for Vermelho Melides, showcasing the exceptional artistry of these Sevillian goldsmiths.
Vermelho collaborated with Klove Studio, a renowned Indian design studio, to bring the artistry of Indian craftsmanship to its reception area. The grandeur of the hotel's entrance is accentuated by a magnificent green and gold glass-blown mural chandelier handcrafted by local artisans.
PYMO's haute couture aesthetic shines in Vermelho Melides' Indian Lounge, furnished with Asymmetry armchairs and sofas in powdery hues.
Elisabeth Lincot's installation, Lagrima de Loros, graces an exterior hearth at Vermelho with glazed and colourful ceramic bird heads.
Q&A with Christian Louboutin about Vermelho Melides
Vermelho is a boutique hotel located in the serene village of Melides, in the enchanting Alentejo region of Portugal.
Melides is a quaint village located a 1.5-hour drive from Lisbon, in the municipality of Grândola. Here, you can experience the sleepiness of the Alentejo region, ideal for those seeking an authentic, off-the-beaten-track experience.
Firstly, we highly recommend checking out “Our Insider’s Guide to Comporta in Portugal”. And that isn't just because of the brief 20-minute drive that separates the two places. Melides is seen as the new Comporta, echoing what Comporta was like a decade or so ago.
Vermelho is situated in the heart of Melides village itself, offering a taste of authentic Portuguese life. Whitewashed houses line the narrow streets, elders play cards in local cafes, and farmers sell their produce at the weekly market.
A standout characteristic of Melides is its large lagoon (Lagoa de Melides) that cuts across the land and flows down to the beach and stretches of sand. The lagoon serves as an ideal spot for activities such as swimming, bird-watching, and picnics under the shade of umbrella pines. For a unique experience, consider exploring the lagoon via a stand-up paddleboard tour with Surf in Comporta.
Adjacent to the lagoon is the extensive Praia de Melides, a ten-minute drive south from Melides' centre. It's the most accessible beach in the area, with a spacious parking area, a restaurant and toilets.
When it comes to dining, there are a handful of local restaurants that serve traditional Alentejo cuisine, all perfectly paired with the region's excellent wines. Vermelho’s own restaurant, Xtian, under the guidance of Portuguese Chef David Abreu, provides an exceptional gastronomic experience featuring modern interpretations of traditional Portuguese cuisine. Moreover, Comporta has many great restaurants that shouldn't be missed.
Melides offers a tranquil, and off-the-beaten-path getaway. It's a place where you can truly unwind, immerse yourself in nature, and experience the relaxed pace of life typical of the Alentejo region. Just like Comporta, Melides is gaining popularity, so be sure to visit before it too becomes a well-known hotspot.
Wander through the picturesque village of Melides and admire its quaint cobblestone streets, charming church, rustic cottages adorned with blue facades, and lively local market.
Founded by Rui Freitas, Carolina Irving, and Christian Louboutin, Vida Dura is a charming store in the heart of Melides that curates handmade works by local and international artisans.
Another cute shop worth visiting is Noemina, selling colourful curated clothes and homeware.
Memórias do Barro is a charming small pottery museum. This space, formerly an old pottery workshop belonging to the last potter of Melides, has been transformed into a museum to keep the region’s pottery tradition alive.
For traditional Portuguese food head to O Fadista or Melidense in the centre of the village.
Melides' large lagoon (Lagoa de Melides) is a must-visit. This water body flows through Melides' pine forests, rice fields, and meadows, nurturing a thriving environment for the diverse flora and fauna. Since 2010, it has been designated a "nationally important protected area".
Melides beach.
Discover the small village of Comporta (29km), with its cool little shops and restaurants such as the Deli Mercearia Gomes, Lavanda, and Loja do Museu do Arroz, while spotting the nesting storks. Check out Our Insider’s Guide to Comporta in Portugal.
Vermelho Melides R. Dr. Evaristo Sousa Gago 2 7570-635 Melides Portugal
Location
Vermelho Melides is a five-star boutique hotel nestled in the village of Melides, situated in Portugal's Alentejo region. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from Melides beach and a 20-minute journey to the village of Comporta.
By Air
The nearest airport to Vermelho Melides is in Lisbon, a 90-minute drive from Melides. We highly recommend hiring a car to fully explore the region, with its breathtaking beaches and picturesque villages close by.
Lisbon (LIS) – 130km
Faro (FAO) – 194km
Porto (OPO) – 422km
© Photos by JO&SO except for the cover portrait of Christian Louboutin and the photo of the room featured in the interview, both courtesy of Vermelho Melides.
Please note that sometimes we use affiliate links and receive a small referral commission from sales, at no additional cost to you. Everything we recommend in our website is handpicked by ourselves and 100% because we like it. By booking through JO&SO you are supporting what we are doing, helping us to keep running the website. For more details read our disclaimer.
