Sunny, white-washed vacation resort in Lagos on Portugal’s Algarve coast
Casa Mãe / Lagos / Algarve / Portugal
There is something kind of American to this hotel. Yes, I understand that might sound odd considering Casa Mãe is located in an old coastal village turned tourist hot spot on Portugal’s sunny Algarve coast. What I am referring to is that it feels like one of those full-service resorts that the Americans do so well. The kind of hotel where you check in and you don’t have to leave but still experience a exciting, jam packed vacation with pottery classes, cooking classes, a great shop (stocking clothes from favorite Portuguese brand La Paz) if you have forgotten anything at home, restaurant, yoga, gym - you name it. But before I go into too much detail, let me start from the beginning.
The story behind this urban seaside hotel is mostly down to a French woman named Veronique Polaert, a former investment banker looking to move into the hospitality industry. She stumbled upon an abandoned estate in a quiet back alley of Lagos and was totally smitten with the place. She had originally planned to buy a hotel in Marseille but couldn’t resist what Lagos had to offer. Veronique decided from the get go that she wanted her hotel to be a place of authenticity, with a close connection to local culture and food. And this was one of the guiding principles when creating this modern resort.
Case Mãe, which means Mother House in Portuguese, is made up of three buildings (or building types) with different vibes; boho chic, minimalist and vintage. There is a total of 34 rooms or accommodation options, is maybe a better way to describe it. We stayed in the main building with a view of the courtyard and beyond the city wall. Our room was really spacious and bright. The color scheme was different shades of white and neutral, sun bleached colors, all resting on the most beautiful floor tiles - of course sourced locally.
The hotel is leaning against the old city wall which is creating a sheltered courtyard, disconnected from the outside world. In here it is all about relaxed, breezy vacation mode with a soundtrack consisting of soft lounge music and the rustle of palm trees.
Welcome to Casa Mãe! Located in a narrow alley in the old part of Lagos.
The exterior of the building is covered in white painted panes inspired by the Moorish past of this region, creating an attractive geometric pattern. Accompanied by palm trees which gives the hotel a Miami look and feel.
The open lobby/bar area facing the back of the hotel. A good example of when modern meets traditional where the result is on point. And I love these local tiles.
Have I mentioned that I am a huge fan of floors? Love these tiles that I found in one of the public bathrooms of the hotel.
As soon as we arrived we were whisked to the patio in the back and offered something to drink as part of the check in routine. I love hotels that do this upon arrival. Can’t imagine a better way to say “Welcome!”.
The back yard/terrace. The hotel is sheltered by the tall old city wall which is a beautiful and historic backdrop.
M heading upstairs to check out our room…
…and this is what he found. Our room was spacious and bright, bathing in light. Different shades of beige and white in combination with some pops of color to bring in some life.
Pastel de nata, a local delicacy waiting for us in our room.
I say yes to refillable bottles for bathroom products. Please, all hotels. Take note!
Our own private balcony. These signature sun loungers were available in the hotel shop.
A slice of heaven.
The old Lagos city wall creating a back drop to the hotel. The rugged wall is a great contrast to all the white buildings.
Shapes, shapes, shapes. And palm trees.
The triangular shaped pool which was surprisingly cold, which is right up my alley.
The hotel is made up of a main building (where our room was) and several separate buildings for the traveller looking for even more privacy.
When walking from the hotel to the pool you’ll pass the produce garden where they grow a lot of what is served in the restaurant.
The breakfast is served a la carte and the food is super delicious.
The coastline outside Lagos is dramatic. There is a wooden walkway that makes your coastal walk a bit less adventurous but still just as scenic.
In many of the coves there are these small beaches, perfect for a swim in the wild Atlantic.
A 40 min drive from Lagos, on the West coast of the Algarve you’ll find several amazing beaches.. This wonderful beach, Praia de Monte Clérigo was our favorite.
A “busy” day at the beach. And yes, the water was fresh. Ok, it was cold.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are one of those travelers that like to stay at full-service hotels. If you want to check in and have everything at arms length where the service is attentive, the gardens kept in perfect condition and the cushions are fluffed, then this could be a hotel for you.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is how even though it is located in the centre of bustling (and somewhat touristy) Lagos, the atmosphere is still chilled and relaxed. Yes, there is sunny lounge music played at low volume throughout the day but other than that, it is calm. Until you exit the hotel and you realize what a treat to the senses this tranquil oasis is.
What not to miss when staying here is…
…to explore the part of the Algarve less travelled, the part facing the West and the vast Atlantic. This part of the country is only a short 30 min drive away and here you’ll find some amazing and fairly empty beaches. My favorite out of the ones we stopped at was definitely Praia de Monte Clérigo.
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Timber Cove, Jenner, CA, USA
Monastero Arx Vivendi, Arco, Lago di Garda, Italy
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