ASerra Melides: Inside Philippe Starck’s New Project in Portugal
We travelled to Melides with Philippe Starck and Stéphane Delplancq for a first at ASerra.
Here's what we discovered.
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There are some projects that make more sense once you understand where they belong.
We recently travelled south to Melides to discover ASerra firsthand. Spending time on the site, walking through the landscape and hearing Philippe Starck and Stéphane Delplancq share the thinking behind the project gave us a much better understanding of what is coming to this particular corner of Portugal.
And while construction is still in its early stages, there is already something quite special about the place. Perhaps because, here, the landscape is very much the starting point.
What Is ASerra in Melides?
Set across 85 hectares in the Serra de Grândola, ASerra is a new hotel and residential retreat surrounded by cork forests, rolling hills and views towards the Atlantic.
The project brings together Philippe Starck, Stéphane Delplancq, CEO of Larfa Properties and Lisbon-based Atelier AAVV, with an approach that places nature at the centre of everything.
What struck us during our visit was the sheer scale of the land, and how little of it will actually be built on.
The idea is not to fill the landscape with architecture, but to create something that feels naturally part of it. Buildings will remain low, concrete structures will sit among the trees, and the surrounding vegetation is intended to remain a defining feature.
At the heart of ASerra, a small village will bring together a restaurant, spa, shop and creative studios, with plans for ceramic workshops, a local market, organic produce grown on the land and padel courts.
What we particularly liked about this concept is the idea of creating a community within the landscape, where there's as much emphasis on experiences and everyday pleasures as there is on architecture and design.
A place to truly embrace the slow rhythm of the Alentejo.
What Is Philippe Starck’s Vision for ASerra?
Starck has lived in Portugal for more than a decade, and his relationship with the country feels central to the project.
Rather than bringing an international idea of luxury to Melides, ASerra looks towards the land, materials and Portuguese way of living. Starck describes it as “a territory reserved for those who love the earth, designed to reconnect with the pulse of life.”
Visiting the site made that vision much more tangible. The cork forests and quiet landscape and Atlantic in the distance already create a sense of escape, despite being only around an hour from Lisbon.
It’s one of the things we’ve always loved about the Alentejo. No matter how many times we return, its openness and slower rhythm have an immediate effect.
Another detail we particularly appreciated was the attention given to Portuguese craftsmanship.
Starck is designing the interiors, including bespoke furniture, tiles and decorative elements created specifically for the project. Almost everything is being developed and produced in Portugal, working closely with local artisans and makers.
What Will the ASerra Hotel and Villas Be Like?
ASerra will include 25 independent hotel suites and 22 private villas, carefully distributed across the landscape.
Each suite will offer 70 sqm of interior space and a 90 sqm terrace, with 12 featuring private pools. The three and four-bedroom villas combine Atelier AAVV's architecture with interiors by Starck, conceived almost as “ship cabins emerging in nature.”
Why Melides?
Just an hour and a half from Lisbon, Melides offers a balance between accessibility, privacy and nature.
The nearby Comporta coastline, often described as one of Europe's longest continuous stretches of sandy beach, offers around 60 kilometres of largely uncrowded shores.
We particularly love the contrast between the Alentejo countryside and the coast, and it's this combination of tranquillity, space and proximity to Lisbon that makes Melides such an appealing location for a second home.
When Will ASerra Melides Open?
ASerra's hotel is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2028, while the private villas have been offered for sale off-plan since September 2026.
We visited at a moment when much of ASerra still exists as a vision, with the landscape doing most of the talking. Walking the land with the people behind the project gave us a glimpse not simply of what is being built, but of the ideas, conversations and decisions shaping it.
We left Melides curious to see how it will all come together, particularly the village that promises to make ASerra feel different.
A big thank you to the ASerra team for inviting us to discover the project firsthand, and to Philippe Starck and Stéphane Delplancq for sharing their vision with us.
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If you enjoyed this, you might also like our feature on Quita da Paz Eco Lodge and more features on interior projects.
