When guests walk into the lobby of the newly opened Aethos Ericeira, they know they’ve arrived. “All you see is the ocean,” says designer Ala Zureikat, cofounder of Barcelona studio Astet. The 50-room property, the latest from hospitality brand Aethos, which prioritizes a positive and lasting impact on guests’ sense of wellbeing, is perched above the Atlantic Ocean on a soaring sandstone cliff along Portugal’s surf coast. “The hotel captures the essence of Ericeira as a surf destination,” says Zureikat. “The authentic materiality and color palette were inspired by the context.”
The formerly abandoned farm property was purchased by Aethos cofounders Jeff Coe and Benjamin Habbel, who wanted “to convert it into a hotel for affluent surfers,” Zureikat explains of the “incredible opportunity” he took on with Astet cofounder Oscar Engroba.
Because the project was a complete renovation of a pre-existing farm building, Astet Studio opened up the entrance to achieve a monumental lobby experience
Among its many offerings, the wellness-focused hotel includes Onda restaurant, a soon-to-open spa, saltwater pool, an in-house surf shop (along with individual storage for boards and suits), and hosts health and wellbeing leaders for various mindfulness activities.
Yet, the challenge was creating something that would satisfy guests throughout Ericeira’s two distinctive seasons. In summer, the seaside community is warm and bright, but in winter, it’s rainy, windy, and gloomy. Their solution was a balanced blend of materials. Warm woods, leather, and velvet mix with cool-to-the-touch marble and stone, which is most visible in the monumental lobby, which was opened up to frame the view. Here, slatted wood ceilings mingle with myriad furnishings, from comfy sofas to cane armchairs and upholstered ottomans. “We made sure the furniture and art selection were carefully curated to add a timeless feel to the hotel by mixing different styles and aesthetics,” Zureikat says.
A wood-wrapped desk marks reception, which doubles as an entrance to the surf shop
A neutral color palette of white and sand juxtaposes green and blue accents, all inspired by the natural surroundings and recalling the colors of the sand when it’s wet and dry. “We didn’t want to be too literal and use Portuguese tiles because that’s the first thing everyone associates with Portugal,” he says. “We wanted to achieve a more sophisticated twist to what Portuguese materials and interiors and architecture [typically] looks like, with the result that anyone coming from anywhere would feel happy, relaxed, and have a sense of belonging.”
Guestrooms, swathed in custom white oak furniture with brass details, exude the same subtle luxury as the public spaces but in a toned-down take. “It’s a more private, relaxing, and intimate experience,” Zureikat explains. Like the lobby, oceanside rooms were designed to maximize the view. In lieu of heavy doors and boxy partitions, Astet used a glass partition between the bathroom and bedroom (a wood and wicker panel allows for privacy, if needed), designed closets without doors, and clad the room door with a full-size mirror. “Wherever you are,” Zureikat says, “you always have a view of the ocean.”
This article originally appeared in HD’s October 2022 issue.
