After the successful debut of his first Portuguese hotel in 2023, fashion maven Christian Louboutin has launched two magnificent private villas in the Alentejo countryside. Olivia Palamountain reports

Two years after opening Vermelho Melides, legendary designer Christian Louboutin has expanded with two new private villas, also set in Portugal’s wild Alentejo countryside.

Inspired by Vermelho’s eclectic and maximalist spirit, the villas, La Salvada and La Maison des Bateaux, are located ten minutes from Vermelho Melides, Louboutin's 13-room hotel. Both properties showcase the designer's personal touch in their interiors, marking an unusual expansion of a luxury fashion brand into boutique hospitality.

La Salvada represents a departure from traditional Portuguese architecture with its rose-hued, Moroccan-inspired aesthetic flowing throughout the two-bedroom villa. Designed by architect Tarek Shamma with interiors by Louboutin, the property features double-height ceilings and bedrooms set apart from the main building for privacy. The villa's crown jewel is a trio of rooftop terraces offering 360-degree views over the surrounding countryside.  La Maison des Bateaux takes a different approach, converting a whitewashed Alentejan boathouse accented with cobalt blue into luxury accommodation. The property's most distinctive feature lies in its three bathrooms, which incorporate windows restored from old ships - an innovative repurposing of maritime materials in residential design.The boathouse villa accommodates up to six guests across two nautically-inspired bedrooms and a convertible TV room, whilst La Salvada sleeps four. Both properties feature fully equipped kitchens, with guests able to arrange private chefs through the Vermelho team.The villas blend Louboutin's global design sensibility with Portuguese regional elements, including local art and pieces from the designer's personal collection. La Maison des Bateaux sits tucked amongst rice fields, whilst La Salvada is surrounded by wildflower fields, emphasising the natural beauty of the Alentejo region.
Guests have access to facilities at the main Vermelho hotel, including Xtian Restaurant, spa treatment rooms, and Bar Vermelho. Additional services available through the concierge include personal shopping, curated excursions, and beach club access - services that reflect Louboutin's luxury fashion background.The expansion represents an unusual trajectory for a fashion designer into hospitality real estate. Louboutin's venture into hotels follows other luxury fashion brands exploring experiential offerings. Rates start from €1,700 per night at La Maison des Bateaux and €2,200 per night at La Salvada, positioning them in the ultra-luxury segment of Portugal's growing tourism market.

The villas are managed by Marugal Hotel Management alongside the main Vermelho property, providing continuity of service across Louboutin's hospitality portfolio in the increasingly popular Alentejo region.