Informed by the modernist architecture of Portugal, an expansive beach house contrasts beautifully with the rugged coastal landscape of the Algarve. Built 40 years ago, it was designed by the legendary Portuguese architect Francisco Keil do Amaral, behind many prominent projects involving the urbanization of the Algarve and the urban plan for the Tróia Peninsula. His portfolio also includes monuments such as the original Lisbon Airport and Lisbon Exhibition and Congress Centre, and in 1962, he won the Valmor Prize for a Lisbon family home called the Silva Brito House.

BentoBox was carefully brought into the 21st century by a local who felt the property was grace emanated, and tells us, “I reformed the villa as minimally as possible, making it the most functional and to my own taste, while preserving what I imagined to be the author's concept.” While bringing it up to date, he also upgraded it to modern standards in terms of energy efficiency.

This light touch can be experienced throughout this entire villa in the Algarve, with four bedrooms (two are en suite) and three bathrooms, accommodating up to nine guests. Snuggle up near the suspended fireplace in the living room, furnished generously and cozily with a Smart 65’’ TV with Netflix and cable. Enjoy meals in the dining room for up to 10 people, preceded by aesthetically-pleasing meal prep in the kitchen with its handsome Siemens appliances and robin’s egg blue SMEG fridge.

On the lower ground floor, there are twin sofa beds, a 50” plasma TV, and a games room with a darts board. You may also pluck a book from the 300 title-strong library.

If the weather is wonderful (and the Algarve region is known to see at least 300 days of sunshine a year), alternatively you may seek out the covered terrace area with lounge space and an outdoor table for 12 people. Days spent splashing around in the swimming pool and sweating it out in the free-standing barrel sauna will contribute to a deep relaxation.

BentoBox Villa is part of the Pinhal da Marina resort, set with gardens and pine trees and offering amenities and services that BentoBox guests can also enjoy, from bike rentals to Petanque and tennis courts.

In sum, this is a place for comfort, luxury, and rest, rendered in the mind of an important Portuguese architect. 

AROUND

Shrouded in privacy and quiet, Bento Box Villa also keeps you in close range to the action of the Algarve. It’s an 11-minute walk to the Vilamoura Marina, and within 800m of Vilamoura Beach. A restaurant and supermarket are less than a kilometer distance from the villa.

Less than 30 minutes away, Faro is the capital of the Algarve and celebrated for its concentration of Southern European architecture, with about 500 buildings constructed between 1940 and 1980. Walk the city and marvel at these landmarks, with their geometric tiles, concrete exteriors and minimalist gilded doors. The city's marina and historic old town plazas are part of its charm and it's well positioned to some of the best beaches along the coast and directly adjacent to the beautiful Ria Formosa Preserve and Ilha Deserta. Ten kilometers southwest lies Praia de Faro, a stretch of sand accessed by a bridge that offers sunbathing, restaurants and cafes.

The 16th-century walled town of Lagos is under an hour west with stunning cliffs, sweeping headlands and Atlantic beaches and a combo of modern sprawl and picturesque history. The resort town of Portimao is also less than an hour west on the bank of the Arade river and the Moorish town of Silves is a little over thirty minutes to the northwest.   

LOCATION: within 800m of Vilamoura, Faro, Portugal. Closest airport: Faro (25km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring through fall