Inside Christian Louboutin's Luxurious First Hotel In Portugal: Red Soles, Meet Red Floors - Yanko Design

"Christian Louboutin was driving through Portugal after getting treated at a local hospital following an accident when he spotted Melides. The small village, tucked between forests and a sprawling lagoon, caught his attention in a way that would change everything. He bought a fisherman's house there shortly after and eventually moved his atelier to the area. By 2019, his connection to the Alentejo region had grown so strong that he decided to open his first hotel."

"Vermelho opened in 2023, taking its name from the Portuguese word for red, a nod to both Louboutin's famous shoe soles and his embrace of local culture. He worked with architect Madalena Caiado and interior designer Carolina Irving to create something that feels more like a private villa than a typical resort. The 13 rooms are arranged around courtyards and gardens, with shared spaces that naturally bring guests together. Each room sits behind custom Baroque doors made from hand-worked American ash with pewter and enamel handles."

"Italian artist Giuseppe Ducrot created ceramic installations that wrap around the building's exterior in baroque-inspired frescos and decorative figures. His work isn't just stuck onto the walls; it's woven into the architecture itself, making it feel like it's always been there. Louis Benech designed the gardens to work as outdoor rooms, keeping everything feeling intimate rather than sprawling. Inside, no two rooms look the same."

Christian Louboutin discovered Melides after an accident and subsequently bought a fisherman's house, relocating his atelier to the Alentejo region. By 2019 he committed to opening a hotel, and Vermelho launched in 2023. The hotel takes its name from the Portuguese word for red, referencing Louboutin's iconic soles and local culture. Architect Madalena Caiado and interior designer Carolina Irving shaped a villa-like layout of 13 rooms around courtyards and gardens. Giuseppe Ducrot created integrated ceramic exterior installations, and Louis Benech conceived intimate garden 'rooms.' Interiors feature antiques, patterned textiles, handcrafted surfaces, custom tiles by Fábrica de Azulejos de Azeitão, and bespoke fittings.

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