Travel & Leisure

A hotelier at heart

The creator of the iconic red-soled shoes welcomes us to his personal haven in the country he retreats to between travels. As he develops a constellation of vacation homes along this cherished coastline, Luxe Magazine takes you on a private tour of Vermelho, his favorite destination. Much like his private residences, we are immediately captivated by his architectural signature: exuberant, ornamental, a bold blend of styles and eras in Portugal.

Vermelho: bold architecture

The Manueline-style hotel building was designed by Lisbon-based architect Madalena Caiado.
“To be where I should be. Here and now. And that’s in Melides!”
Christian Louboutin’s voice is melodic, composed, and sincere, imbued with simple authenticity.
His very first boutique hotel is a reflection of himself: colorful and pure, daring, infused with art and culture, shaped by elegance and the people he’s met around the world. Vibrant colors intertwine with aquatic and azure blues.

A peaceful escape

Located south of Lisbon, Melides is a charming Alentejo village on the edge of the Atlantic. Opened in spring 2023, Vermelho (“red” in Portuguese) welcomes aesthetes into the designer’s nomadic yet rooted universe.
“I realized that building a hotel is a fantasy many people share: a space that’s yours — but not entirely — with a different kind of responsibility, one that’s thrilling.”
The hotel was imagined as a guest house for lovers of art and culture. The original idea? A seaside restaurant — something Melides lacked — where Louboutin had already built several retreat spaces. Convinced by the town’s mayor, the project grew into a full hotel.

“This is my refuge. I can change my pace, with infinity right in front of me. And the huge advantage is being close to Paris, with everything I love depending on where I turn: countryside, mountains in the distance, and above all, the sea. As someone born in Brittany, I love waves, the Atlantic, strong climates. The ocean soothes me.”

Local craftsmanship, personal collections, and travel souvenirs

The signature red of Louboutin’s famous pumps runs like a thread through the ceramic floors, window shutters, and linen fabrics.
A fan of Portuguese architecture — “somewhat intricate, even childlike, yet rich in detail and disciplined in its lack of discipline” — he wanted to open his first hotel in an off-the-radar destination.

“In Portugal, time and space slow down, become gentle, melodic... Between the magnificent light and the endlessly kind people, this country holds incredible potential for varied, remarkable crafts — azulejos, colorful ceramics…”

Rooms with hybrid style

From the rare beauty of the tiled floors to eclectic furniture and art objects, each of the 13 rooms has its own soul. Baroque opulence and palatial exuberance unfold in both the rooms and the shared spaces.
His signature? A hybrid style with a strong taste for decorative arts: handcrafted frescoes, antique furniture, auction-found treasures, and unique art pieces. Eclectic, wildly imaginative, Vermelho surprises, charms, and inspires with its originality — an architectural gem with a décor rich in cultural crosscurrents.

Xtian restaurant: a remarkable culinary experience

Xtian (pronounced Christian) is the embodiment of the hotelier’s baroque lifestyle.
Gastronomy takes center stage at Vermelho, where Portuguese chef David Abreu, formerly of Lisbon’s Four Seasons, delights guests with local treasures. Octopus, cod, lamb — sourced from nearby producers — are beautifully paired with sweet confit tomatoes and roasted peppers.

“The food here is fabulous! I’m allergic to fish, thankfully not to shellfish. I could spend two months eating Portuguese cuisine and never tire of it.”
The Vermelho restaurant mirrors its cuisine: fabulously flavorful and joyfully decorative.

Monique Delanoue