Luxury Travel
Inside Christian Louboutin’s New Design-Driven Villas in Melides, Alentejo
28.01.2026
Christian Louboutin continues to shape Melides as one of Portugal’s most design-forward destinations with the launch of two exclusive private villas in Alentejo: La Salvada and La Maison des Bateaux. Following the success of the Vermelho Hotel, these villas extend the designer’s creative vision into intimate, art-led spaces that celebrate architecture, craftsmanship, and landscape in equal measure.
La Salvada | © Vermelho Hotel
Set among rice fields, pine trees, and Atlantic light, the villas offer a refined interpretation of luxury travel in Alentejo, where design and place are inseparable.
A New Design Chapter in Melides
Located just minutes from the village of Melides, the two villas were originally conceived as private residences, free from commercial constraints. This origin is evident in their character: deeply personal, layered, and quietly expressive. Each space reflects Louboutin’s fascination with global cultures, artisanal craft, and the raw beauty of the Portuguese landscape.
La Maison des Bateaux | © Vermelho Hotel
Rather than imposing a signature style, the villas engage in a dialogue with their surroundings, a key reason Melides has become a discreet hub for architects, designers, and creatives seeking authenticity over spectacle.
La Salvada
A creative Sanctuary
La Salvada | © Vermelho Hotel
Sitting amidst wildflowers and kissed by the Atlantic breeze, La Salvada is a 250 m² villa conceived as a reflective, almost meditative haven where inspiration takes form. Designed in collaboration with architect Tarek Shamma, the structure seamlessly interacts with its surroundings and offers panoramic views, framed by three rooftop terraces that capture both sunrise and sunset light.
La Salvada | © Vermelho Hotel
The interiors, designed and curated by Louboutin, are a thoughtful interplay of light, texture, and proportion, with two ensuite bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and social spaces that open generously to the landscape. The villa’s layout invites natural light to flood its interiors through a skylit living and dining area, blurring the boundaries between inside and out.
La Salvada | © Vermelho Hotel
Outdoors, a private pool, fireplace, and shaded dining areas allow guests to move effortlessly between interior and landscape, reinforcing the villa’s role as a design-led sanctuary in Alentejo.
La Maison des Bateaux
Rustic Poise Meets Coastal Calm
A short drive away lies La Maison des Bateaux, a villa that pays tribute to Alentejo’s architectural traditions while infusing them with Louboutin’s vibrant design sensibility. Described as a reinterpretation of a traditional Alentejan house, the villa’s whitewashed façade, expansive porch, and enveloping decking evoke a timeless sense of place.
La Maison des Bateaux | © Vermelho Hotel
Inside, the atmosphere is at once serene and richly textured. Two ensuite bedrooms, a living room, and a flexible TV room which can become an additional sleeping space offer accommodation for up to six guests. Three bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen complete the interior program, while furnishings include carefully selected pieces that nod to Mediterranean and nautical inspirations.
La Maison des Bateaux | © Vermelho Hotel
The exterior spaces — a generous sun deck, shaded lounge areas, and a pool framed by views of the iconic rice fields — celebrate the distinct geography of Melides. The villa’s design blends traditional rustic elements with thoughtful contemporary details, crafting a retreat that feels both rooted and refined.
La Salvada | © Vermelho Hotel
Across both villas, design functions as a narrative rather than a statement. Portuguese materials terracotta, tiles, wood, and textiles are paired with international influences and contemporary art, creating interiors that feel collected rather than styled.
Melides has quietly emerged as one of Portugal’s most compelling design and lifestyle destinations, attracting creatives drawn to its understated beauty and slow pace. Unlike traditional luxury hotspots, the appeal lies in restraint: open landscapes, architectural honesty, and a deep connection to place. Christian Louboutin’s villas embody this ethos. They do not seek attention, they reward it.
A New Benchmark for Luxury Villas in Alentejo
With La Salvada and La Maison des Bateaux, Christian Louboutin sets a new benchmark for design-driven villas in Portugal. These are spaces where architecture, interior design, and landscape exist in balance, offering guests not just accommodation, but an immersive creative experience. In Melides, luxury is no longer defined by excess — but by intention.
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