The intimate Amaria hotel in the heart of the Costa Vicentina is many things, but above all, it’s a love letter. It’s a nod to the name of the owner’s mother, and to the name of a nearby village, Maria Vinagre; it’s also a play on the Portuguese word amar, meaning “love.”
The place is simple and elemental, a small collection of structures inspired by the ruined farmhouses that once sat on this piece of land between Odeceixe and Aljezur. This is relevant because while ruins can be rebuilt, nothing new can be constructed on the land in the area, which is mostly protected as parts of the Costa Vicentina Natural Park in the fast southwest of Portugal—a haven for surfers, natural lovers, and the yoga retreat set.
A local architect followed a minimalist style—adding nothing more than is needed—that highlights the interplay with the land. Hundreds of new trees, cactus, and flowering plants have been planted to give Amaria some stunning natural surroundings, but nothing feels manicured or forced. The Atlantic is visible in the distance, particularly from the serene swimming pool, set on a platform beneath the main hotel, and the freestanding windowed sauna, which is perfectly sited for privacy and for sunset views.
The hotel consists of 11 suites of various sizes, all with private terraces, cozy Salamander-style stoves, and minimalist decoration, and one three-bedroom apartment, which works well for a group of friends or a family with teenage or adult children. (There’s a minimum age of 12.) A library and breakfast room serve as gathering places, and in summer there’s an open-air cantina with a pizza oven.
Breakfast is a lavish spread of local ingredients, like the neighbor farmer’s blueberries and artisanal honey from nearby beekeepers. Lunches and dinners can be arranged with advance notice, as everything is made to order and based on trips to the markets in Aljezur and Lagos.
There are complimentary yoga classes on a sunny platform twice a week during summer, and they can arrange private sessions or therapeutic massages at other times. The team is also prepared to recommend local restaurants, beaches, and activities, such as horseback riding through pine forests or dolphin spotting along the coast. The Rota Vicentina hiking trail passes directly in front of the hotel, allowing for some of the best coastal walking in Portugal.
For more information, visit the Amaria website.
Amaria
Monte Novo, Odeceixe
Algarve
Phone: +351 910 333 555
Email: contact@amaria.pt