Sublime Comporta Review

Sublime Comporta is an extraordinary destination, a barefoot luxury retreat lost amongst Atlantic pines and sandy landscapes of flowering shrubs and tall grasses. This 17-acre estate includes rooms, suites, and cabana-style villas with private pools. Wellbeing facilities embrace Sublime Spa, Sublime Comporta Gym, and active experiences such as bike rides, tennis, as well as horse rides along the broad sandy beaches. Sem Porta is the resort’s signature restaurant, while seasonal pop-ups include the Food Circle. On the shores of the Atlantic is the Sublime Comporta Beach, the perfect complement to this escape in the wild nature of Portugal’s magnificent coast.

The secret is out – Portugal’s magical stretch of Atlantic coast is now one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe – a favourite with A-listers and nature lovers alike. To truly capture the essence of this sun-splashed destination, stay at Sublime Comporta, the original destination and, as I can concur, the best. Afterall, it is here that the magic began. This is the epicentre of everything unique and remarkable about this destination, writes Andrew Forbes (The Luxury Editor).

A Village-Style Retreat Beneath the Pines

The resort feels more like a community. A rustic village hidden beneath the canopy of pine trees. Walking the sandy paths, one discovers a collection of wooden-clad cottages and bungalows beautifully designed with curated interiors of simplicity and laid-back luxury.

Upon arrival, one suddenly feels part of this Sublime village. I was welcomed by João and Neuza, who provided service that felt genuine and caring. They seemed like they could be friends, as they displayed that rare talent in hospitality where professional service feels warmly personal.

An electric buggy took me to my cabana villa overlooking the pine forest, part of a 17-hectare estate of pine and cork trees. This is the ultimate in privacy, with a living room, dining area, fully equipped kitchen, and guest bathroom. The indoor/outdoor fireplace added charm, while the 50m² deck beside the private pool is a dreamy space to feel connected to nature.

Adjacent to the main living area is a bedroom with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that immerse you in the pine forest. The bathroom is dreamy, with a large soaking tub by the window looking out onto twisted cork oaks. I was struck by the thoughtful in-room amenities – not just the expected luxury toiletries, but practical items like mosquito repellent, and aftershave cream, but also a pillow spray with geranium essential oil, as well as a shea butter, almond and tea tree foot cream.

The floor-to-ceiling glass windows were etched with storied and wise quotes that caught my eye throughout the day:

“Sublime are the trees under which shadow you always may survive” and “Sublime the thoughts that show you that you might lose track” – providing evocative thoughts that resonated with the extraordinary setting.

There’s a choice of villas, that thanks to their ingenious architecture can be configured as simply suites, or as 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-bedroom suites. There are also the sought-after bio pool suites that have decks that reach out directly to a natural swimming pool, seamlessly integrated into the natural lake.

Clubhouse Chic

At the heart of Sublime Comporta is a clubhouse-style main building – a place to socialise, drink and dine. The menus and cocktail lists bring the best of Comporta to life. I enjoyed fresh fish and local rice dishes, while bartenders crafted cocktails infused with herbs grown on the property.

There’s a style and flair here reflecting Portugal’s ever-growing confidence, bringing notes of London, New York, and Madrid to create a cosmopolitan experience that feels intoxicatingly unique amongst the beachside pine forests of Comporta.

Dining at Sem Porta

One of the many highlights of Sublime Comporta is dining at Sem Porta. The restaurant was designed to harmonise with its surroundings – elegant and sophisticated without feeling pretentious. During the cooler months, dining is cosy by open fires, while summer brings meals under the stars.

I was impressed by the commitment to local Portuguese flavours. Many ingredients came from their own organic kitchen garden, where they grow vegetables and herbs.

The team explained how they collaborate with regional producers and fishermen who maintain sustainable practices. One of the servers pointed out that this not only ensures the freshest products but helps preserve the land’s and sea’s delicate ecosystems, as well as the local economy.

The cooking was exceptional without being showy. Each dish captured the essence of Portuguese cuisine with a light contemporary touch. The flavours were clean and distinct, letting the quality of the ingredients speak for themselves.

Wine Tasting

There’s a wealth of destination experiences available both on and off the property. The wine tasting showcased Portugal’s viticultural diversity. I learned that the country has hundreds of different grape varieties and unique ‘terroirs’ from north to south. The sommelier had curated a small selection paying homage to the different Portuguese styles, from white, red and sweet.

Riding the Atlantic shores

Off property, one of the most spectacular experiences is horseback riding along the beach. I joined Cavalos na Areia for a trek through Comporta’s diverse landscapes.

My horse, Gaudi, was patient with my novice skills as we meandered alongside rice fields, then through pine-clad dunes, and finally reached the stunning Praia da Torre. The waves were spectacular, crashing against the shore while Gaudí took it all in his stride.

We tracked up through the dunes and then along beside the rolling waves of the Atlantic. Looking down the beach, I could see kilometres of pristine white sand stretching into the distance without another soul in sight. The isolation felt both serene and invigorating.

Beach Club Bliss

After riding, I visited the Sublime Comporta Beach Club, an exclusive restaurant and bar on the sand where hotel guests are guaranteed sunbeds, surrounded by the wild beauty of the deserted beach held its own special appeal.

Enjoy indoor and outdoor spaces, with the most popular being the terrace, with panoramic vistas of the ocean. Expect super seafood, from tiger prawns, teamed or grilled rock lobster to clams with garlic, olive oil and coriander. The fried baby cuttlefish are perfect with a chilled glass of wine.

Wellbeing

Later, back at Sublime, I stepped into the spa for a treatment. This space was simple, pared back and authentic. My therapist seemed genuinely at peace, which transferred to my experience. The treatment used natural elements, reflecting their philosophy that nature offers all the necessary components for wellbeing.

It’s amazing to consider that Sublime Comporta is just a little over an hour’s drive from Sublime Lisboa in the capital yet feels worlds away.

The combination of tranquillity and simplicity recalibrates the senses – it feels healing and nurturing.

As one of the quotes etched into the glass walls reminded me: “Very little is needed to make a happy life. It is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius

Sublime Comporta embodies this philosophy, offering just enough luxury with distracting from the unspoiled natural beauty that surrounds it.