Colégio Charm House

The laid-back seaside town of Tavira, on Portugal’s Algarve coast, is the setting for Colégio Charm House — in the 18th century an aristocratic palace, in the 20th a Catholic boys’ school, and in the 21st, thanks to its family owners, a stylish and rather luxurious 20-room boutique hotel. It’s a mile or so from some fantastic beaches, but the hotel’s swimming pools — one central public one and a few smaller private ones — make a persuasive case for keeping it local.

Colégio’s rooms and suites pay tribute to history with rustic crafts and occasional antiques, but the overriding style is contemporary, eclectic, a bit bohemian, and always sunny. The old house’s architecture dictates some unusual layouts, and every unit is completely unique — but space is plentiful throughout, and the comforts are thoroughly modern.

Tavira itself is a charming little city, and the coastline is appealing for obvious reasons — the Rio Formosa Natural Park is full of wonders, and the Algarve in general is a fine destination for golfers. You’ll spend more time at the hotel than you may think, however; an abundant breakfast and a daily light lunch is followed by the Surprise Dinner, a three-course set menu crafted from market-fresh ingredients by the hotel’s chef, five nights a week.