Great Plains: De Lemos Guesthouse, Portugal

When it comes to deciphering a future trip, the accommodation is often secondary to the destination. Alas, the De Lemos Guesthouse and winery in Passos do Silgueiros in North Portugal is a destination in itself. The space, owned by wine brand Quinta de Lemos, was designed by architectural supergroup Carvalho Araújo, the geniuses behind boundary-smashing structures including the Casas de Agua project in Brazil. Inspired by the ‘beauty of the linear rhythm of the vineyards’ the space is intended to be a haven for wine enthusiasts to sample and enjoy an array of vintages. This somewhat unusual design impetus is reflected most literally in the many Great Plains of the building, both inside and out, and the inbuilt winery and bottle storage.

The sinuous design traces the rocky lines of the landscape beautifully, creating a feeling of being at one with nature. Not in a passé tree-hugging kind of way, but bending to a very modern need to be immersed in unspoilt, untouched terrain. The boundless flat roof is designed for guests to take walks upon and admire the view – a design feature that genuinely excites.

More wine lover’s paradise than guesthouse, De Lemos only houses three guest bedrooms. Even inside the building, the majority of the space is given over to its great plains; the dining room, a broad swimming pool boasting far-reaching vistas over the vineyards and of course, the wine showroom. Ultimately, it is the sense of terrain-honouring expanse that makes this guesthouse-come-winery so special. For your next trip, The Manual highly recommends indulging in your favourite vintage and trading ocean views for the rocky, rugged vineyard panorama that surrounds this idiosyncratic shelter.