History
It all started a few years ago, when we discovered Samoqueira beach and the Porto Covo area, with its magnificent beaches of turquoise blue water, and this whole region that has so much to offer us.
The landscape of beaches, reservoirs and their wheat fields with many cork and olive trees; quiet villages where people chat; the incredible Costa Vicentina Natural Park, which runs for a long stretch; and, in the background, the crackling beaks of the storks nesting high up in the trees, the cows and sheep grazing in the meadows?
After some years of planning, we finally launched our sustainable construction project of the Calmar house based on the traditional design of typical local farmers' and fishermen's houses. Classic designs, barrel-tiled roofs, lots of wood. The bedrooms and living rooms open up to the colorful fields and meadows of Porto Covo.
The atmosphere in the bathrooms is serene and the pools and outdoor showers allow you to enjoy the natural environment. No luxury, but guaranteed simplicity and respect for local architecture that are at the heart of this project, so that our homes fit in perfectly with nature.
Each of our houses is a fascinating project in itself, as they adapt to the seasons, providing coziness and togetherness in winter and coolness and tranquility in summer. Inspired by our lifestyle and travels, we make the well-being of our guests our top priority, so that each person fits in comfortably and feels completely at home. It is with this in mind that we are always on hand to share our knowledge with our guests and offer the necessary recommendations to make the most of their stay.
Project
Casa Calmar was designed and rebuilt on a ruin to be a boutique hotel to be used in all seasons, using sustainable practices. It consists of three independent houses (Cabana, Casa do Alpendre and Casa do Pátio) forming a tranquil refuge from the countryside in Porto Covo. Each of these houses has an exclusive heated swimming pool, and is surrounded by a landscaped garden with native species, in which stand out the cork oak and olive trees. On the horizon you can see the sea, the dunes, and the wild meadows where cows and sheep graze.
Most of the materials used to build Casa Calmar were reused from the old rural house, especially the stone threshold of the entrance door and the centuries-old straw roof tiles, still handmade by the old potter from Samoqueira. The houses, open to nature, are made of traditional masonry, clay roof tiles, refined concrete, and local wood ceilings. The architecture and interior decoration are simple and cozy keeping the spirit of the Alentejo country houses. The classics of Portuguese culture are in focus, such as pottery and basketry.
Casa Calmar is environmentally friendly! We value sustainability, so we use heat pumps in order to transform thermal energy into heat, thus making the houses very energy efficient. Rainwater is stored and reused in the irrigation of the outdoor spaces and the residual waters are treated.
The bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, and their living rooms are sunny, comfortable and open to the outside: a true invitation to relaxation and well-being thanks to their large individual terraces. In the Porch and Patio houses, an upper deck was installed to enjoy the magnificent sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, or simply to read a book. In the Cabin a bathtub was placed by the window so that you can see the extensive fields, where cows and sheep graze, and the sea on the horizon. The blue and yellowish tones are then reflected in the sea, in the dunes and meadows, the show is sublime! Renting a house in Porto Covo is a true experience!