Philippe Starck has found what he considers his own corner of paradise in Portugal’s Alentejo region. Now, the French designer is channeling that affection for the landscape into ASerra, a new hotel and residential development in Melides with 22 private villas starting at $6 million.

Starck, who has lived in Portugal for more than a decade, says his connection to the country was immediate, but it was Alentejo that really stopped him in his tracks. “Alentejo was a shock, as it is one of the last places on earth that still has a sense of adventure,” he tells Robb Report. “Here, nature is at its fullest, at its strongest; only dunes, trees, and the ocean.” For ASerra, he says, “everything started from the land.”

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About one hour south of Lisbon, ASerra spans 210 acres of cork oak forest, rolling hills, and native vegetation. The development is led by Larfa Properties, with architecture by Lisbon-based studio AAVV and design by Philippe Starck, conceived to complement the existing landscape rather than detract from it.

That approach is especially apparent in the residences. Starck describes the villas as “ship cabins emerging in nature,” tucked into concrete shells, and warmed by wood and vegetation. “Each villa is a personal and deeply comfortable home,” he says. “For the ASerra villas, I wanted to create nests, intimate places where people would create their own journey in connection with the surrounding nature.”

The project will also include a 25-suite boutique hotel, a restaurant, a spa, a creative studio, a café, a pool, and sports courts. Villa owners will have access to hotel services including concierge, housekeeping, maintenance, dining, and curated experiences.

For Stéphane Delplancq, CEO of Larfa Properties, that mix is the point. “ASerra was created as a living destination rather than a stand-alone hotel or residential development,” he says. “The hotel brings a luxury standard of hospitality, while the villas establish a long-term community connected to the same place and values.”

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The concept is aimed at buyers looking for something quieter than a traditional luxury resort. Delplancq says Melides offers “vast protected landscapes, remarkable privacy, authentic Portuguese culture, and close proximity to Lisbon, all within an environment that remains remarkably untouched.”

The villas are being positioned as long-term residences, although owners can opt into a hotel rental program when they’re away. Sales are launching this month, with ASerra expected to welcome residents and guests in 2028.

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  Abby Montanez

  Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…

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