Along the low-rolling landscapes of Portugal’s Alentejo coast, Christian Louboutin’s story in Melides enters its next chapter. Since opening his first hotel, Vermelho Melides, in 2023, Louboutin has reimagined what a Portuguese country retreat can be. Now, two new villas La Salvada and La Maison des Bateaux, extend that vision beyond the hotel walls, capturing the same mix of artistry, comfort, and quiet escape that defines this corner of Portugal.
Set just ten minutes from the hotel and the quiet village of Melides, the villas channel Louboutin’s love of eclectic design and craftsmanship. Each is conceived as a self-contained space, rooted in the region’s wild beauty yet unmistakably influenced by his cosmopolitan sensibility.
La Salvada, designed by architect Tarek Shamma with interiors personally curated by Louboutin, is a two-bedroom retreat surrounded by meadows of wildflowers. Its pink, Moroccan-inspired architecture is playful and poetic, with high ceilings, arched doorways, and decorative tiles. The villa’s living areas flow from a skylit dining space to a cosy lounge, while a fully equipped kitchen can host a private chef arranged by Vermelho’s team. Outside, find a plunge pool and alfresco dining area, with a wood-fired hearth for cooler evenings. A trio of rooftop terraces crowns the villa, offering panoramic views across the Alentejo plains perfect for watching the sun set in total stillness.
A short drive away, La Maison des Bateaux takes inspiration from the nearby coast and the region’s nautical heritage. This whitewashed boathouse, trimmed in cobalt blue, sits quietly amid rice fields. Its two bedrooms and three bathrooms are rich with maritime references, from porthole-style windows salvaged from old ships to handpicked artworks drawn from Louboutin’s own collection. A flexible TV room can be converted into a third bedroom, while a wooden wraparound deck and daybed invite outdoor living. Hidden at the end of a garden path lies the villa’s secluded swimming pool a serene, sun-dappled escape from the world.
Guests of both villas enjoy a welcome basket of local delicacies and have access to the full Vermelho experience should they wish to connect with the hotel. Breakfast can be taken at Xtian Restaurant, while spa treatments, cocktails at Bar Vermelho, and use of the hotel pool are all available. Additional services include private chefs or butlers, concierge-arranged excursions, nanny services, and even personal shopping.
Rates begin at €2,200 per night for La Salvada (sleeping four) and €1,700 for La Maison des Bateaux (sleeping up to six).
