If you’re seeking a serene escape from the everyday, one beautifully immersed in nature + surrounded by peace, Comporta could be your next retreat from it all. Nestled along the stunning Atlantic coastline, the tranquil coastal village in Portugal, renowned for its untouched natural beauty + relaxed, bohemian vibe is on the verge of becoming one of the next once hidden gems to be transformed by the demands + desires of tourists seeking something previously untouched + pristinely charming.
The region, about an hours drive from Lisbon, is distinguished by its sprawling rice paddies, immaculate dunes, + endless stretches of immaculate golden beaches that seem to stretch on forever. Framed from the West by the deep + authoritative immense blue of the Atlantic, it’s unspoiled landscape creates the perfect get away for those who love the type of escape that not only allows for but encourages a full unwind.
We visited late May to early June; a birthday surprise from my husband upon which he caught me off guard with a stay at Sublime Comporta, a retreat that had been high on my wish-list since it’s opening in 2014 when it was just a small rural boutique. A wish-list hotel for good reason, Sublime is a destination in + of itself that literally doesn’t require you to leave for anything once you arrive in the exquisiteness of it’s perimeters. Exceeding our expectations by a mile, to explain it were it to possess it’s own personality, Sublime is that of a nonconformist, the cool younger sister who, considered rebellious + disruptive, swopped college for a life of travel without the guarantee of a secure job so as to follow her own dreams doing something cool + off the beaten track + who now, well guess what, is the one having the best time while people seek to mirror her every move + escape their ‘guaranteed’ conformist lives.
Amid all the cool, the true essence of Sublime is that it’s as respectful of its surrounds as one could be while also being incredibly chic. As natural as it remains, chic definitely leads the way here as it’s every element is considered, curated + polished for those who understand how design plays such an integral role in the way we feel in any environment. it is that personified. The interiors combine a minimalist founding with the warmth of something very personal, cultivating a sense of peace + a sort of familiarity one can only really sene when home. As part of it's unintentional cool, Sublime embraces a truthful practice of sustainable living, from the eco-friendly materials used in its construction to the local produce served at every meal + it’s clear it was built with a deep respect for, not only the land, but also the community upon which is lays.
We took finding peace quite seriously while there; taking full advantage of the the amenities available that all but spoke to us as a couple; working out in the beautiful gym with classes outside on the rooftop space, playing tennis + taking walks + long cycles in the grounds. A treatment in the spa with Ground, the Irish well-being brand I’ve loved since it began + founded by my darling friend Peigin Crowley in Cork + am so proud to see leading the treatment menu as the main collection of products on offer. Later, we would sit among one of the many spaces available within which to read, write, do some work on our laptops or simply just be. It’s a place like no other to find yourself simply being. We left the property just a few times, once of great note was to attend dinner in Xtian for my birthday. Xtian is the restaurant in Vermelho Hotel, the luxury boutique hotel just a short drive away in nearby Melides designed + owned by Christian Louboutin which was such a special evening + somewhere we’re return to without a second of hesitation.
Needless to say, we really could have extended our stay + would have in a heartbeat but as life called us back to the road, it was clear that upon leaving we departed with a knowing that Sublime + this part of the world would become one of our places, one filled with peaceful memories + so much space for the making of so many more.
Visit sublimecomporta.pt to explore more —
