Set on the edge of the Ria Formosa lagoon, Casa Modesta is a rural hotel with a distinct contemporary Portuguese edge. Owner Carlos Fernandes named the property after his mother, Modesta Maria, who grew up in the original 1940s house built by his grandfather, a local fisherman. Re-imagined by Fernandes’ sister, Vânia, the once-humble home now features nine beautiful rooms with en-suites and a patio and share a common dining room and lounge. The interiors are minimal and unfussy with stunning vaulted brick ceilings and traditional terracotta floor tiles complimented by Canadian cedar furnishings and cork and brass accents. The hotel’s garden provides fresh organic vegetables for the kitchen, while a range of spa treatments are also available, using the natural properties of the local olives, almonds and algae. This rural hideaway is ideal for those that want to slow down and experience authentic culture in the stunning environment of the nature reserve.
*images by Joao Carmo Simoes