This is one of our favorite lifestyle concepts. The focus on community, organic sustainable food production, and a simple sense of design is what makes this special retreat a unique vacation option.
Description
Located in a historic town and vibrant agricultural center of the Algarve, Community Culture Retreat is a 100-acre organic farm that produces figs, olives, apricots, oranges, pine, cork, and carob with an emphasis on green garden production. Formerly the ruins of an agricultural settlement, the farm’s urban core was restored by architect Pedro Ressano Garcia to reflect the Community Culture concept. Designed around two courtyards from previous construction, the site integrates agricultural scenery and pathways, updated with a focus on hospitality and gastronomy.
The architecture, both exterior and interior, invites contemplation and uses repurposed spaces and pre-existing materials to reflect new ways of inhabiting the contemporary world. The result is a formal and conceptual nod to the aesthetics and ethics of the ‘arte povera’ movement.
Community Culture Retreat has nine rooms with a mix of suites, doubles and twin rooms and sleeps up to fifiteen. There are four newly designed apartments comprised of three duplexes and one ground floor apartment that sleep up to ten guests. An ancient olive press area has been transformed into a library and hall for seminars, concerts and workshops. With no television, the house provides a reprieve from the outside world, but still offers an internet connection and technology for image projection and sound.
The newly designed Hamam is modeled after traditional Roman baths and is a relaxing respite offering a variety of spa and massage treatments and all natural regional aromatherapy products. You can find homegrown products and a selection of interesting items from different regions of Portugal at the on site store. Relax by the outdoor pool, participate in one of several annual harvests, or hike a vast network of nearby trails. There are also workshops offered on topics ranging from Wild Food to Bird Watching.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Completely catered from the on site restaurant including daily breakfast from 9am – 12pm featuring organic seasonal produce.. Partially unplugged, there is wifi in common areas plus use of a laptop if needed and image projection and audio systems. Library with books and videos. Daily housekeeping, personal care products and robes. Meeting room and wine cellar. Bicycle rentals through reception.
AROUND
Just under a mile away from the coast, and close to Guadiana river and the hills, Castro Marim dates back thousands of years and remains a quiet town typical of the Algarve region. The salt marshes and protected reserve lies between Castro Marim, Monte Gordo and Vila Real de Santo António at the mouth of the river, and is home to over 150 species of birds. On the Monte Gordo side of Praia Verde is the modern resort of Altura, a long stretch of beach that runs from Manta Rota to Vila Real. Head north and the landscape changes into green hillsides where you’ll find the sleepy town of Foz de Odeleite.
LOCATION
Castro Marim, Portugal. Nearest Airport: Faro International Airport (40 min)
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring through Fall
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Info & Rates
| Rooms / Houses | 13 Rooms (2 interior twin rooms, 1 twin room, 3 double rooms, 1 double superior room, 1 junior suite, 1 suite, 1 ground floor apartment and 3 duplex apartments) |
| Accommodate | 40 Total Occupancy |
| Restaurant / self catering | Friendly bar and restaurant with breakfast served from 9am-Noon. Bistro is open from 5:30pm -10pm and closed on Tuesdays. Complimentary cake and tea served at 5:30pm. |
| Kitchen | Kitchenette only in the apartments |
| Bed Type | Double and Single beds |
| Kid Friendly | |
| Pet Friendly | No pets allowed |
| Internet | Free Wi-Fi |
| Pool | Salt Water Pool |
| View | Countryside views |
| Rates | Rates starting at €70 per night. 2 night minimum stay in rooms and suites and 4 night minimum stay in the apartments. Please see rates table below. |
| Minimum Stay | 2 Nights |
| Notes | Breakfast is from 9am to 12pm and features organic seasonal produce. Hamam is open from 10am - 7pm. €12 per person per use or free of charge when booking any additional spa treatments. A selection of different kind of massages and treatments are available. Yoga classes every Tuesday and Saturday at 10:00am in a room lined in cork [Cork Box], free of charge. Please inform reception if you wish to join. If you are interested in other yoga sessions, please book at the reception (€20 per person - min. 2 pax). Minimum stay in apartments: 4 nights, in room and suites: 2 nights. Check in is from 3pm-8pm. Please let the hotel know if you are arriving after these times. Check out is noon. BOOKING CONDITIONS: A 50% advance payment is required to guarantee the reservation, paid by bank transfer or by credit card with the respective specifications of the customer. Failure to charge the advance payment within the time specified by the hotel, may lead to the cancellation of the reservation without notice. Booking Conditions: The guarantee of the reservation implies the payment of the amount indicated for that purpose, and should be proof of it to the contacts provided by the hotel. The credit card can be used by the hotel to charge the advance payment, the value of the accommodation, services provided or future services, cancellation fees, or losses caused during the stay. The hotel can always claim a credit card at check in. Booking Changes: Any change of reservation on the number of people may result in changing the type of accommodation booked and the additional payment associated with rebooking, subject to availability. Any change of reservation by inadequate accommodation facilities chosen for the number of people will be subject to hotel availability and the additional payment associated with rebooking. Changes requiring booking cancellations will be subject to cancellation policy. Cancellations: In case of cancellation, the value of the deposit paid will be in credit for a future reservation. If cancelled, modified or in case of no show occuring within 20 days prior to the date of arrival (later than 15:00 local time), then the total price of the 50% deposit will be charged. The hotel can establish other booking and cancellation conditions in special programs, including New Year’s program, or group bookings.
|
Rate Table - 2019
Low Season: March 1 - April 14, April 29 - May, October - December 29
High Season: April 15 - April 28, June 1 - July, September
August
CLOSED: January 2 - February
| LOW SEASON | Sun - Thur (1 Per) | Fri & Sat (1 Per) | Sun - Thur (2 Per) | Fri & Sat (2 Per) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Twin Room | €70 | €80 | €90 | €100 |
| Twin Room | €80 | €90 | €100 | €110 |
| Double Room | €95 | €105 | €115 | €125 |
| Suite & Double Superior1 | €115 | €125 | €135 | €145 |
| HIGH SEASON | 1 Person | 2 People |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Twin Room | €90 | €110 |
| Twin Room | €100 | €120 |
| Double Room | €110 | €130 |
| Suite & Double Superior | €145 | €165 |
| AUGUST | 1 Person | 2 People |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Twin Room | €100 | €120 |
| Twin Room | €110 | €130 |
| Double Room | €120 | €140 |
| Suite & Double Superior | €160 | €180 |
| *DUPLEX APARTMENTS | 1 Person | 2 People |
|---|---|---|
| Low Season | €180 | €200 |
| High Season | €235 | €255 |
| August | €280 | €300 |
| GROUND FLOOR APT. | 1 Person | 2 People |
|---|---|---|
| Low Season | €160 | €180 |
| High Season | €205 | €225 |
| August | €250 | €270 |
Includes:
Welcome drink, ecological breakfast (just for rooms and suites, not apartments), outdoor saltwater pool, hamam, WiFi, seasonal fruit, tea and homemade cake to snack, library and maps of walking routes. *Breakfast not included with apartment rental.
Extra beds:
Adult (+16 years old €50) Child(+3 up to 15 years old) €30 Baby cot Free (only available for double superior, suites and apartments)
Extra beds not available in twin and double rooms, up to 1 extra bed in double superior room, up to 2 extra beds in suite, up to 1 extra bed in junior suite, up to 2 extra beds in ground floor apartment, up to 3 extra beds in apartment duplex.
Booking Conditions: 50% advance payment required to guarantee the reservation, paid by bank transfer or credit card. The guarantee of the reservation implies the payment of the amount indicated for that purpose, and should be proof of it to the contacts provided by the hotel. The possible failure to charge the advance payment within the time specified by the hotel, may lead to the cancellation of the reservation without notice. The credit card can be used by the hotel to charge the advance payment, the value of the accommodation, services provided or future services, cancellation fees, or losses caused during the stay. The hotel can always claim a credit card at check in.
Booking Changes: Any change of reservation on the number of people may result in changing the type of accommodation booked and the additional payment associated with rebooking, getting such change subject to availability. Any change of reservation by inadequate accommodation facilities chosen for the number of people will be subject to hotel availability and the additional payment associated with rebooking. Changes requiring booking cancellations will be subject to cancellation policy.
Cancellations: In case of cancellation the value of the deposit paid will be in credit for a future reservation. If cancelled, modified or in case of no show occurs within 20 days prior to the date of arrival (later than 15:00 local time) then the total price of the 50% deposit will be charged. The hotel can establish other booking and cancellation conditions in special programs, including New Year’s program, or group bookings.
Reviews
5 Reviews
BoutiqueHomes Collection # 77948
There have been 104,206 page views for this property since it was first published here August, 2013
Back to Home Page or 26 more recommendations in Algarve
merjem, May 6, 2018
We were greeted by Elena and myself by the lovely owner who speaks impeccable French and who was wonderfully available in the absence of the manager. We highly recommend this peaceful, carefully landscaped place and the cuisine of the new Vitor chef is fantastic. To recommend but discreetly :-) merjem
merjem
Nancy Benioff, May 22, 2017
This boutique hotel is a wonderful retreat and the perfect place from which to explore the Algarve. The rooms are comfortable (wonderful beds) and delightfully designed. The attention to design detail and overall feeling of tranquillity throughout the “anti-resort” makes for an aesthetically pleasing and extremely relaxing holiday. The setting is amazing, and the gorgeous garden and walking path, combined with the peacefulness of the cork room, make for the perfect meditative start (or finish) to your day.
The breakfast was delicious and different every day…all homemade and seasonal, and often sourced from their garden and orchard. Avery member of the staff treated us with kindness and went out of their way to be helpful. They are a friendly bunch, and helped make our week easy and happy. Thank you. We will definitely be back.
Nancy Benioff
Golden, Colorado, USA
Anne Skyum, August 2, 2015
Very beautiful place, with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The staff was very helpful in telling about the best places to eat, the nice, secluded beaches etc – places we would probably never have found on our own.
Both in- and exterior is close to perfect.
Only minor downside was the restaurant which was not to our taste – would have preffered less elaborate food – but there are great places to eat nearby. Good breakfast though.
Anne Skyum
Kolding, Denmark
marielle, June 25, 2015
We stayed here last week and we had a very positive experience. There is a corkbox where they give daily yogaclasses which were great.
Also the rooms simply feel good. Food is amazing and the people are so relaxed and uncomplicated. We would surely go back.
marielle
France Bouchard, October 15, 2014
Our jouney to CCR was excellent. The best part was the food. The breakfasts are abondant and top quality, fresh from their garden and kitchen. Overall, even if we were the only guests on our last evening, they offered to serve us dinner prepared by their excellent chef. The location is very quiet and peacefull. The common area is cool, comfortable and a good place to chill. Thanks for the warm welcome.
France Bouchard
Boucherville, Qc , Canada