LUXURY HOTEL | CARMO ’ S BOUTIQUE
CARMO ’ S BOUTIQUE
By Jonathan Elms & Lucilia Guerreiro
My number for today ( apologies to financial journalist , Jeff
Randall ) is 834 . That ’ s the number of days it took the remarkable Maria Luisa do Carmo , and her equally impressive daughter , Raquel , to create Carmo ’ s Boutique Hotel . Just think of it ; in just 27 months ( 119 weeks ) they bought a site , designed the buildings , gardens and amenities , secured planning and funding , and built and furnished this spectacular new edition to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio . They call Portugal the California of Europe , but that schedule would have been remarkable for can-do America , let alone Portugal , not renowned for the efficiency of its institutions . The stories of development projects stuck in the mire of officialdom are legion , so you know at the outset that this one will be remarkable .
Dona Maria and Raquel are well-travelled women with a vision . They wanted to create something that would reflect the excellence and attention to detail that they had witnessed round the world , but in the setting of their beloved northern Portugal , with its unique ambience . So , Carmo ’ s is about romance , but also practicality . It ’ s about design , but uses furniture ‘ that makes you want to use it ’. It ’ s about quality , but , wherever possible , using Portuguese crafts and materials . So , for example , where a particular design was not available in Portuguese cotton , Egyptian was used instead . There is great individuality at Carmo ’ s , but with it , a homeliness that encourages you to mingle at table , share a drink , and explore the nooks and crannies that are full of charming touches .
Carmo ’ s is situated just outside Ponte de Lima , the oldest town in Portugal , in Minho province . Ponte de Lima is also reputed to have the only Camara ( council ) in surplus in Portugal , and this prosperity is reflected in its well-kept squares and streets , its lively restaurants and shops , and some of the best festivals held anywhere in the country . Ponte de Lima is also on the Caminho do Santiago , and on the Roman footbridge you can sense the pilgrims that journeyed over the centuries on their way to Santiago de Compostela in neighbouring Galicia . Park by the river , and soak in the atmosphere .
The hotel is contained in two buildings at right angles , separated by a walkway that is scented by climbing shrubs and local flora . The first contains the beating heart of Carmo ’ s , a unique salão , of which more later , three luxury suites on the first floor , and the Spa and Aromatherapy below .
34 | Summer 2012 | www . portugal-life . net |