An inspirational blend of modern, elegant architecture and the beauty of nature, Sublime Comporta is exactly what it says on the tin

Located in an area barely in the sights of the hotel industry, a small boutique hotel merges stunningly into its natural surroundings, characterised by umbrella pines, wild ­lagoons and dunes, and by vast rice fields. This is Sublime Comporta – Country House Retreat, and its name couldn’t be more fitting. Stood within an area of seven hectares in the village of Muda in Comporta, a little over an hour from Lisbon and close to the region’s most celebrated beaches (Carvalhal and Comporta), this country hotel was opened a little over a year ago by Gonçalo Pessoa, a captain of the Portuguese airline TAP and a fan of the region. Despite its short existence, this place has won worthy recognition nationally and even ­internationally.

­Designed by architect José Alberto Charrua, the hotel features two buildings and is split up into 14 rooms and suites – five of which are in the main building and the remaining nine in a secondary structure, 50 metres away. Bright and spacious, every room has a private terrace, ensuring the perfect communion ­bet­ween indoors and out. The hotel’s highlight is its 50sqm Owner’s Suite, the only accommodation located on the second floor of the main house, offering guests total privacy. In addition to the king-size bed, with its original headboard made from slices of tree trunk, the suite also features a sofa-bed, a fireplace, a hot tub and two private terraces with views over the surrounding landscape and outdoor swimming pool.

Another highlight is the palette of colours used in the ­deco­ration of the rooms. White and grey provide the atmosphere with a sense of calm and ­harmony, further inspiring relaxation. Decorative details don’t go unnoticed by visitors either. Some objects bear witness to the many travels made by the owner when working, providing the hotel with its unique personality. In the Sublime Spa, the wellness of every guest is key. Covering 150sqm, the facility includes a sauna, a steam room, a heated indoor saltwater pool and a treatment room.

And the surprises don’t end there. Attentive to the requirements of its guests, but also to the scant choice of restaurants in the region, the hotel’s owner has also invested in a restaurant. Chef David João, who has ­worked at Joachim Koerper’s Michelin-starred Eleven, does the honours in the Sublime restaurant, serving up traditional cuisine with contemporary, sophisticated presentation. Favouring regional produce, the young chef presents different tasting menus every night, comprising starters, four main dishes and a dessert. At lunch, the suggestions are of a lighter variety.