Independente Comporta

Comporta is rightfully celebrated for its wild natural beauty: the town sits on a stretch of the Alentejo coast where rice paddies and pine forests border white-sand beaches. The area’s best hotels, like the newly opened Independente Comporta, were specifically designed to complement its unusual landscapes. The hotel is set back from the sea in the quiet countryside, and its design was inspired by the layout of a traditional Portuguese village, with whitewashed villas outfitted by local artisans. To further encourage a communal atmosphere — a skill perfected by the owners, a team of brothers, at their urban hotels in Lisbon and Porto — Independente Comporta has a large saltwater swimming pool and bar, retro-inspired fire pits for after-dark gatherings, and a pair of lively restaurants that attract a stylish local crowd.

Rooms are simple and silent, featuring hand-crafted ceramics, colorful textiles, and woven rugs made in the region. All feature private terraces with daybeds and views of the gardens or the pool. Light-filled villas offer more space and extras like private pools and fireplaces. The breakfast spread has an Alentejan twist, and an open-air pizzeria serves snacks and cocktails poolside. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Maroto, is worth planning an evening around, even with plenty of other good dining options nearby.