Casa Brava
LOULÉ / B&B / TRIED & TESTED
Nestled in the Algarvian Barrocal, amongst the undulating landscape set back from the madding crowds of some of Portugal’s most popular beach resorts, a community of hoteliers are pursuing a quiet shift in the traditional perspective of their destination, swapping sand & sea for slowness & simplicity. Leaders of the movement are Marco & Julie Pinto, owners of Casa Brava; an ecological B&B with an organic vegetable garden, surrounded by unbroken thyme fields. Now consultants in sustainability & organic olive oil soap producers, the pair moved to Portugal from Paris five years ago to rebuild & renovate a crumbling farmers' ruin.
A set of three stone hideaways are re-imagined as they once were; former animal dormitories live on as private restful retreats filled with repurposed objects sourced from the region's flea markets. Soft, Portuguese linen in terracotta hues set the seal on a restful night's sleep & brass taps in bathrooms evoke memories of the past while exuding rustic contemporary elegance. Sun speckled terraces are dotted around the biological pool, filtered by plants & river stones & trimmed with humming lavender. Lazy mornings spent taking an abundant vegan & organic breakfast in the shade are followed by trips to lively market town, Loulé.
Images by Alex Reyto for Perfect Hideaway
Room Service
Location: Loulé, Algarve.
Price: Suites start from 80€ per night.
Highlights: The biological pool is inviting on the warmest of days, banked by self filtrating rocks & grasses.
Our favourite room: The Donkey room for the limestone rock feature in the shower.
Services: Breakfast is served daily & in-room massages can be arranged.
Designed by Marco & Julie renovated the property themselves.
Photography by Alex Reyto for The Perfect Hideaway.
The Neighbourhood: Casa Brava is just a five-minute drive into the market town of Loulé, where Casa Brava has a little store selling organic products & handmade soap infused with scents from the surrounding barrocal. Explore the old part of town before hopping back in the car to the beach, a twenty-five minute drive away.
Things to know: Casa Brava is focused on sustainable living, therefore only serves vegan sustenance & organic, natural wines.
Casa Brava is a member of the Design Escapes Club, tried & tested personally by us.
The Map
Casa Brava is located up in the central Algarvian barrocal, behind Loulé around a twenty-minute drive from Faro. Fly to Faro & rent a little car to take a road trip while finding some freedom while you’re there.
Download the Design Escapes Directory for local recommendations & to ensure you don’t miss out on any spots on your journey.