Just under an hour from Lisbon is where you’ll find Immerso. From the outside, it looks like a restaurant, but walk through the building and the ocean-front hotel, which intentionally blends seamlessly into its surroundings, emerges.
The Hotel
Set in a valley, this is definitely a destination hotel, as there’s not much else around, but that’s the beauty of it. Swim, spa, hole up in your room and read a book: this is a laidback retreat, and guests come here for that. The hotel has sustainability at its core, and uses natural materials, concrete, and muted tones. Interiors are an eclectic mix of textures, fabrics, and pieces from mostly Portuguese artisans, with inspiration from land and sea. Some of the leather feels vintage and there’s streamlined decking throughout.
The Vibe
Blustry ocean meets contemporary chic. People are mostly here to be active, so the dress code is post-surf casual – fleece and big jumpers – and as this is a microclimate, there are throws at every turn, in case you need one.
The Rooms
Here it’s all about the views, so splurge for a room that allows you to see the sea. Décor is simple, with nature being the main focus. Materials include wood and rope, rattan, tiles and crisp cottons. Highlights include rooms with terraces, which are perfect for private sunsets, and standalone tubs.
Restaurants/Bars
In collaboration with Alexandre Silva, of the Michelin-starred LOCO restaurant in Lisbon, Emme focuses on Atlantic-based cuisine, which means seafood, produce, textures, and aromas are all derived from this area, with a large Portuguese wine list to accompany. There’s also a more casual dining space outdoors that’s open in the summer, and focuses on wood-fired and charcoal-grilled dishes.
Highlights
The vibe here. It’s refreshingly slow. If you’re a surfer, good spots are just a short drive away, and they have a good store on site should you forget anything (sunglasses, board, poncho, sunscreen).
Anything Else
They have a small spa with a steam room, sauna and a few treatment rooms. There’s also a gym, outdoor pool and yoga platform, and you can rent e-bikes. Look out for their special nights, too, including open-air cinema and bonfire nights.
