Pa.te.os, brutalist architectural villas in Melides, Portugal

An Architectural Triumph in the Alentejo Landscape

Designed by renowned architect Manuel Aires Mateus, these four concrete sanctuaries on an 80-hectare estate near Melides were winners of the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Best Design and Architecture Hotel award. The brutalist structures frame ocean views and vineyards through immense sliding glass walls. Available to book individually or as a private buyout for up to 14 guests, the property features an infinity pool, bespoke services, and a signature scent by perfumer Lyn Harris.

Owners Sofia and Miguel Charters collaborated with Aires Mateus to explore the concept of the patio—an architectural device offering privacy and shelter. Concrete structures rise from the earth, acting as frames for the wild, ancient beauty of the surrounding cork oaks and pines.

Interiors rely on the touch of organic materials to create warmth within the concrete shells. Heated floors and hanging fireplaces anchor the living spaces, while designer furniture and organic linens add softness. Each house features invisible air purification systems and custom Bang & Olufsen sound, ensuring modern comfort never disrupts the visual silence. Bathrooms are sanctuaries themselves, often opening onto private, foliage-filled courtyards with outdoor showers.

The estate is an 80-hectare playground of biodiversity, featuring vineyards and bee hives. The central feature is the infinity pool, designed to blend into the horizon. However, the true magic lies in the private courtyards attached to each house, offering secluded sunbeds and dining areas protected from the elements. A "Pérgula" area allows for communal dining amongst the vines, cooked on an open fire.

What we love

There is a profound beauty in how the raw concrete structures frame the wild Alentejo landscape, turning every window into a living painting of cork oaks and ocean. We love the "invisible service" concept where breakfast arrives whenever you wake up, not when a schedule dictates, making this feel less like a hotel and more like a private sanctuary where time really slows down.

Layout

This vacation home for rent in Melides sleeps up to 14 guests. The property comprises four independent villas. House 1 (152sqm) features two en-suite double or twin rooms and interior gardens. House 2 (208sqm) offers three en-suite double or twin rooms, including one with a separate entrance. Houses 3 and 4 are intimate one-bedroom suites (85-95sqm) with sea or vineyard views. All units feature living areas and equipped kitchens. Guests can book individual houses or the entire estate for exclusive use.

Experiences

The property offers a farm-to-table culinary program curated by a Michelin-starred chef, with multiple menus and venues available, setting Pa.te.os apart as one of the region’s leading destinations for bespoke, high-end gastronomy.

Pa.te.os sources seasonal, organic and local ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Like an invitation to celebrate the Terroir of Alentejo, each meal is meant to be shared among friends and family. Gastronomy experiences are in the hands of chef Sergi Sanz: originally from Spain, chef Sanz’s cuisine is inspired by Mediterranean traditions while enhancing the purity of noble products.

On-site wellness includes yoga with a master yogi, sound healing, and cold plunges. Chef Sergi Sanz leads farm-to-table cooking classes, while the estate offers ceramic workshops and wine tasting. Nearby, explore the lagoon on horseback or take surf lessons on the Melides coast.

Good to know

The property is about one hour from Lisbon. Access involves a 2km journey on an off-road track; an SUV or 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended.

Individual house reservations have a minimum age policy of seven years old, but for guests booking the entire property, there are no age restrictions. Breakfast is included and delivered to your door.

Amenities & services

Infinity pool, air conditioning, heated floors, hanging fireplaces, Starlink wifi, Bang & Olufsen speakers, aesop toiletries, mosquito nets, wine fridge, daily housekeeping, breakfast included, chef services available, concierge

Around

Located a five-minute drive from the nearest beach and just 10 minutes from the village of Melides, the property offers seclusion with easy access to culture. Melides is currently the darling of the design world, attracting high-profile residents while maintaining its sleepy, fisherman-village charm. The area boasts the longest uninterrupted stretch of sand in Europe, perfect for solitary walks or surfing. Nearby Comporta (10 minutes) offers chic boutiques and beach clubs, but the immediate vicinity is about raw nature—cork forests, rice fields, and the mesmerizing Melides lagoon.