About this hotel
General information
Vermelho is a small hotel in the village of Melides on the Alentejo coast, conceived as a tribute to Portuguese craftsmanship. There are just 13 rooms, each decorated differently with its own palette, frescoes, rare artworks, antique furniture and hand-painted tiles made by local artisans. The façade carries hand-carved work by an Italian sculptor, the doors were made by carpenters from Granada, and the bar counter of hammered silver was made to order by silversmiths.
The interiors are bold and maximalist, yet the mood is intimate and domestic: quiet music in the wellness area, gardens planted with local flora, an Atlantic breeze drifting in from the coast. The Xtian restaurant cooks with Alentejo produce and serves it on tableware made by Melides craftspeople. Beyond the rooms in the hotel itself, Vermelho offers two private villas set in the countryside near the village. The hotel is a member of Relais & Châteaux.
Location
Melides sits a little inland on Portugal’s west coast, between the hills of the Serra de Grândola, south of Comporta, in a landscape of vineyards, rice fields and forest within easy reach of wide Atlantic beaches. Lisbon is around 1 hour 30 minutes by car, heading south on the A2 motorway; the hotel can arrange private transfers from Lisbon airport and the surrounding area.
Spa
Vermelho’s wellness space pairs stones that once adorned old churches with modern skincare technology. Treatments are tailored to each guest and built around two houses: the Swiss brand Valmont and the Ayurvedic Kama Ayurveda. A complimentary yoga class is held every Saturday morning, and private sessions can be arranged on request.
Sports & leisure
The hotel has a pool and bicycles for hire, and the concierge arranges a range of outings nearby:
- horse riding from the dunes to the water’s edge along the coast, for riders of every level
- golf on the Dunas and Torre courses on the Comporta coast, through the hotel’s partnership
- a guided walk through Melides village, bike tours and nature walks across the rice fields to the Melides lagoon
- birdwatching at the Santo André lagoon
- wine tastings and winery tours in the Alentejo
- private yacht charters from Tróia along the Alentejo and Arrábida coast
- picnics prepared by the chef and excursions to Évora
For children
To keep the atmosphere calm, the hotel does not recommend stays with young children. The coastal horse rides the hotel arranges are suitable for children too.
Restaurants & bars
Xtian serves creative Portuguese cooking built on seasonal Alentejo ingredients and produce from the local market, presented on handmade tableware from Melides; by day it is a relaxed bistro, by night a candlelit dining room. The intimate Vermelho Bar is open day and evening for cocktails at its silver counter, small plates and fireside conversation. Room service runs around the clock, and breakfast can be served in the room.
Swimming
The hotel has a pool, and the wide sandy beaches of the Atlantic are a short distance from Melides. Both villas have private pools of their own.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Rooms
The hotel has 13 rooms and suites in five categories, each individually designed with frescoes, handmade tiles and pieces from a private collection. Two private villas near the village, each with its own pool and kitchen, are also available with hotel services.
Each room has air conditioning and heating, soundproofed windows, a rainfall shower, Kama Ayurveda toiletries, Frette linen and towels, a minibar, a Nespresso machine and kettle, a safe, Wi-Fi and telephone, bathrobes and slippers, a hairdryer and magnifying mirror, with a television on request.
Vista Verde
A south-facing first-floor room filled with light and looking out over the gardens. The bathroom has a generous shower or a bathtub, and the furnishings come from a private collection.
Vista Verde with balcony
A twin-bedded room with its own private terrace overlooking the hotel gardens. The bathroom has both a shower and a bathtub.
Vermelho Junior Suite
A spacious junior suite with a large terrace above the gardens and a shower or bathtub. Each has its own character, with Portuguese craftsmanship, collector’s furniture and individual artistic touches.
Jardim Português Junior Suite
A junior suite with a private terrace opening straight onto the colourful gardens. Floors are laid with hand-painted Alentejo tiles, the bathroom has a bathtub, and the wardrobes are finished with French latticework.
Matinha Suite
The hotel’s most exclusive suite, with hand-painted frescoes on the walls, a lounge with a traditional fireplace and a private terrace.
La Salvada
A private villa for 4 guests set among wildflowers, with two en-suite double bedrooms, each with its own entrance, a light-filled living area beneath a skylight and a fully equipped kitchen. Outside are a plunge pool in the garden, an outdoor fireplace and a rooftop terrace with 360° views over the rice fields and the ocean.
La Maison des Bateaux
A traditional Alentejo house for 4–6 guests, with two en-suite double bedrooms, a living room, a TV room that converts into a third bedroom, three bathrooms and a full kitchen. Heated floors, a fireplace, a wide porch facing the rice fields and a private pool with a sun deck complete it.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.