Villa Cinnamon

A Touch of Seclusion, Spice & Everything Nice near Melides

Nestled in the dune-pocked hills of Melides in the Alentejo’s natural splendor, this villa for 10 guests (two king rooms, one queen, and two double twins) offers a unique, globally-inspired ambiance. With a designer kick worthy of its spicy name, the spacious, five-bedroom/five-bathroom property was created for unwinding, bathed in bright colors and textures, with great amenities like an indoor gym, dedicated kids’ room, outdoor tennis court or indoor/outdoor dining zone.

A pool is a short stroll from the villa, seemingly immersed in the landscape and lined with sunbeds and made private by lush greenery. And around the house, shaded outdoor lounge areas and spacious indoor common zones transport guests via global furnishings into a kaleidoscope of color and pattern.

Around

Just a five-minute drive from the action at Melides, this property offers immersion in the Alentejo landscape, striking a great balance between seclusion and accessibility. The quiet Aberta-a-Nova beach is nearby, and the buzzier beach at Comporta is about 20 minutes’ drive. Troia Beach is a bit further, at about 35 to 40 minutes away. Horseback riding on the wild, golden beaches is a favorite local activity as is surfing, golfing and boat trips to Alcocer do Sal. Golf courses and kayak/SUP rentals are available nearby, too.

Some have said Melides is to the Comporta coast what Montauk is to the Hamptons or Cogolin is to St. Tropez—not as famous, but every bit as worth it. Hip global nomads have marked the modest community as a new favorite playground, riding in on the coattails of French designers, international architects, entrepreneurial urbanites, and modern art collectors and jetsetters. The village’s landscape differs a bit from others in the greater region due to the Lagoa de Melides, the rich lagoon that surrounds the community and contains a stunning variety of flora and fauna within the protected ecosystem. Waterbird habitat is abundant around Melides, and eels from the waterways make for a popular catch for local diners.

Rice paddies and cork fields create a unique oceanfront landscape and further inland, the higher altitude relief of the Serra de Grândola creates an area of footpaths and hiking trails, gurgling streams and a 19-kilometer circular route, the Vereda de Melides, designed for exploring the region on bike or foot. Pine forests rise from sandy knolls, hiding vacation homes worthy of design magazines, and the neighboring town of Comporta is zigzagged by shops, cafes, restaurants, and pretty outposts of the rich and famous. Design-conscious shoppers and patrons of the arts will delight in the burgeoning selection of galleries, studios, and carefully curated boutiques in Melides itself.

Location

Melides, Alentejo, Portugal. Nearest airport: Lisbon (80km)

Best time to visit

May to October