Set on a 72, hectare property in the hills overlooking the Atlantic, Arolla Melides is being shaped as a place for those who seek beauty in simplicity. A community drawn not by spectacle, but by the quiet, grounding presence of nature. Here, in a landscape that still feels untouched, time stretches, ideas breathe, and life returns to its essential rhythm.
It's a place for people (families, individuals, couples) who value authenticity, design, and stillness, a place to gather, to reconnect, and to belong.
Melides
Tucked between the wild hills of the Serra de Grândola and the Atlantic Ocean, Melides is one of Portugal’s most quietly captivating coastal villages, a place where nature, culture, and community still hold their original shape.
Just over an hour from Lisbon and minutes from Comporta, it feels worlds away: a working village by the sea, where farmers, fishermen, and artisans move at their own pace, and authenticity is lived rather than curated.
The surrounding landscape unfolds in striking contrasts: olive groves, cork forests, and rice fields leading to the serene Melides Lagoon, home to flamingos, herons, storks, and over 180 bird species. From there, the land opens onto 60 km´s of golden sand cliff-backed beaches untouched by crowds and made for stillness and slow mornings.
Still something of a well-kept secret, Melides is emerging as one of Portugal’s most sought-after destinations for high-end, design-led living. Its appeal remains understated: nature-first, authentic, and quietly refined, a place where ideas take root, always close to the sea.
Thoughtfully arranged across the natural contours of the hillside, the Arolla masterplan is designed to foster both seclusion and community. Every element is placed with intention, ensuring that architecture remains secondary to the landscape itself.
The Project
On a 72 hectare hillside estate just above the village of Melides, Arolla is shaping a new kind of coastal retreat. The property offers views over the ocean, the Arrábida mountains, and the rolling vegetation that define this stretch of Portugal's western coast.
Rooted in the belief that simplicity is the highest form of sophistication, the project embraces the natural rhythm of the land. It is a place designed for presence, for privacy, and for a lifestyle grounded in wellbeing a form of understated luxury where nature quietly leads.
Over the coming years, the site will evolve into an environmentally forward, design-led retreat of, subtly integrated into the contours of the land to ensure openness, intimacy, and a deep connection to the landscape. The project includes 130 Suites, complemented by shared spaces such as a restaurant, bar, spa and generous outdoor terraces. Interiors will be developed in collaboration with Portuguese design studios and architects, using local materials, textures, and craftsmanship to honour the traditions of the region.
Melides itself remains one of Portugal's most quietly coveted coastal enclaves, protected by strict regional building regulations that preserve its natural landscape and limited development potential. This lends the region, and Arolla within it, a sense of timelessness and long-term value for owners who seek beauty, privacy, and authenticity.
Master suites
Junior Suites
Windmill Reception
Main Hotel Welcome Area
Bar & Restaurant
Spa, Wellness & Gym
Eco Explorers / Adventurers (Kids Club)
Yoga Platform / Deck
Vegetable Garden & Food Forest
Composting & Regenerative Recycling Area
Pools
The Villas
An exclusive community of 2 Unit and 3 Unit Villas, each designed for those who seek quality living rooted in nature, authenticity, and understated elegance. Conceived as private retreats, the villas balance generous indoor–outdoor spaces with thoughtful layouts that support both intimacy and togetherness.
2 Unit Villa · Junior Suite
Designed as a private retreat with generous indoor–outdoor living, the Junior Suite villa offers layered spaces for rest, flexibility, and a close connection to nature:
Gross Construction Area - 128 sqm
Usable Area - 177 sqm
Terraces and Decks - 44 sqm
Roof Garden - 48 sqm
Master Bedroom with ensuite - 38 sim
Living Room - 56 sqm
Mezzanine multi-function space - 24 sqm
Outdoor Bathroom - 10 sim
Plunge Pool (optional)
3 Unit Villa · Master Suite
Designed as a private retreat with generous indoor-outdoor living, the Master Suite villa offers layered spaces for rest, flexibility, and a close connection to nature:
Gross Construction Area - 162 sqm
Usable Area - 211 sqm
Terraces and Decks - 80 sqm
Roof Garden - 48 sqm
Master Bedroom with ensuite - 38 sqm
Living Room - 56 sqm
Mezzanine multi-function space - 24 sqm
Kitchen Unit - 34 sqm
Outdoor Bathroom - 10 sqm
Plunge Pool (optional)
5 Unit Villa · Executive Suite
5-Unit Villa · Executive Suite
Designed for families or shared living, the 5 volume Villa combines both a junior suite and master suite, offering generous proportions, multiple private spaces, and expansive outdoor areas that invite connection and privacy in equal measure:
Gross Construction Area - 291 sqm
Usable Area - 388 sqm
Terraces and Decks - 124 sqm
Roof Gardens - 96 sqm
Two Master Bedroom with ensuite - 76 sqm
Two Living Areas - 112 sqm
Two Mezzanine multi-function spaces - 48 sqm
Kitch Unit - 34 sqm
Two Outdoor Bathrooms - 20 sqm
Plunge Pool (optional)
Ownership & Community Experience
Arolla offers the opportunity to become part of a long-term vision shaped around nature, shared values, and a genuine sense of place. More than ownership, it is an invitation into a considered community - one that values simplicity, discretion, and a slower, more connected way of living along this still-authentic coastline.
Owners benefit from professional full-service villa management and thoughtful hospitality that takes care of every arrangement, from daily services and maintenance to activity planning and local experiences. Whether arriving alone as a couple, with friends or as a family, life at Arolla is designed to feel seamless, personal, and deeply grounded in the rhythm of the land.
To preserve intimacy and foster connection, villas are supported by a dedicated Villa Manager. Acting as a quiet anchor between owners, the land, and the wider Arolla community, they ensure each stay is effortless - responding to individual needs while facilitating shared moments, curated gatherings, and meaningful access to the region’s culture and nature.
To register interest, we invite you to complete the enquiry form "Become and Owner".
Arolla Melides is intentionally designed as a low-impact, high-value destination - one where nature leads, architecture listens, and life unfolds in harmony with the landscape.
Arolla Construction
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Sustainability is not a feature of Arolla, it is its foundation. The project is built on an ethos of environmental stewardship, low-impact construction, and regenerative thinking, ensuring that the land is not only preserved but strengthened.
- Environmentally Progressive Construction
- Advanced engineered-wood systems (CLT)
- Screw-pile foundations to avoid heavy ground disruption
- Green roofs that support biodiversity and insulation
- Solar technology targeting 50% of energy needs
- Ultra-efficient water systems, including vacuum toilets and filtration systems reducing consumption by up to 90%
- Natural, ethically sourced materials prioritized throughout
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Buildings positioned to protect existing trees, topography, and natural sightlines
Collaboration with architects who honour Portuguese culture, materials, and craftsmanship
Strong commitment to sourcing from local farmers, fishers, and artisans
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Integrated composting and regenerative recycling areas
Food forest and vegetable garden supporting closed-loop practices
A Community & Conservation Levy added to each night’s stay, directly supporting local associations and environmental initiatives
Melides awaits your stay...
Arolla is a community shaped by shared values - simplicity, authenticity, and respect for place. If you would like to explore becoming part of this community, please complete the form below, our team will be in touch shortly.