Casa Mãe hotel review - Lagos, Portugal

It was a holiday to the sleepy seaside town of Lagos, in southern Portugal that prompted London-based friends and neighbours Christian Kraus and Veronique Polaert to set up their dream hotel.

Set within a sprawling stonewalled estate, Casa Mãe is arranged over a series of three different spaces: a 19th century house with five suites, a laid-back bar and a casual fine-dining restaurant;  a modern whitewashed new build with 22 guest rooms and Orta, a farm-to-table café; and – our pick – a trio of breezy bungalows fitted with outdoor showers.

The food is sourced from the property’s organic garden, while the stylishly pared-back interiors, by French designer Martin Blanchard focuses on Portuguese craft with hand-woven rugs by local wool factory, Mizette Nielsen; pots by ceramicist, Ricardo Lopes, that are used to store the Oliofora bath treats, and staff uniforms designed by local clothing brand La Paz.