In the village of Melides, Vermelho is Christian Louboutin’s highly personal interpretation of an Alentejo guesthouse, built around a hand-carved façade, tiled courtyards and gardens by landscape designer Louis Benech. Thirteen individually composed rooms combine Portuguese craft, antiques, frescoes and pieces drawn from the designer’s own collection, with colour used more like theatre than decoration. Xtian restaurant focuses on regional ingredients and traditional flavours, served on tableware made by local artisans. A silver bar, intimate pool and richly planted outdoor spaces continue the hotel’s dialogue between local workmanship, collected objects and Louboutin’s unmistakably exuberant eye.