[New] Aethos

Ericeira

Aethos is designed to appeal to surfers with a taste for the finer things in life, though a passion for the waves isn’t a prerequisite for check-in.

When entrepreneurs Benjamin Habbel and Jeffrey Coe decided to create a high-end hotel in Ericeira – declared Europe’s first World Surfing Reserve in 2011 – they wanted to appeal to a specific demographic, drawn to the fishing village not for its idyllic whitewashed houses or delicious seafood, but for its world-class waves.

Unlike the majority of hospitality business owners in the small town 40 minutes north of Lisbon though, they weren’t after the typical “barefoot, backpacking surfers”, as Ala Zreigat, interior designer and co-founder of Barcelonabased Astet Studio puts it. This demographic is already well served with hostels and guesthouses, many even bring their own accommodation with them, setting up campervans in car parks, campsites and on cliff edges along the rugged coastline. Aethos was to cater to surfers who appreciated – and could afford – a more refined experience after their session on the open water.

With surfing such an integral part of the Ericeira lifestyle, Zreigat and Portuguese architect Luis Pedra Silva did everything they could to ensure guests feel connected to the ocean through the design of the property, capturing the textures, diversity and spirit of its surroundings. The first order of business was to open up the interiors of the building, which was originally conceived as a rehabilitation centre back in the ‘90s but has since sat unused. Where once there were segregating walls is now a double-volume lobby, with tall arched windows announcing the proximity of the waves immediately upon arrival. “There’s a sense of serenity when you’re in the lobby and looking out at the ocean through the huge windows,” reveals Zreigat. It is quite the welcome.

The designer also wanted guests to experience that connection to the water the minute they walk into their room, and so optimised views from the floor-to-ceiling windows – some dual aspect – allowing plenty of daylight to pour in.

“The rooms are airy, open and casual, and the furniture is minimal with no clutter,” he says, adding that glimpses of the surroundings can be seen from every angle; mirrored headboards reflect the ocean while the bathroom layout enables guests to shower with a direct view of the sea. “We looked to bring the views in and blur the lines between inside and out,” he continues. “All the views that you can see, even when showering, are the same as you would have if you sat on the terrace.”

As the best waves in Ericeira come when summer is winding down, the rooms and the public areas are designed for year-round occupancy. “One of the challenges was making the hotel work for every season, but we solved this by proposing a dialogue between cold and warm materials,” explains Zreigat. “We wanted it to feel fresh and cool during the summer and cosy and warm in winter.”

A laid-back yet elevated scheme defines the lounge area of the multi-purpose lobby; leather sofas and deep-pile rugs balance out cold stone floors, while white porcelain tiles contrast with a ceiling of natural fibre panels. “Wherever you are, you feel like this could be a summer or a winter setting,” Zreigat stresses.

Surf enthusiasts will not only appreciate the hotel’s individual storage for boards and wetsuits but can also tap into the expertise of surf conceirge Joana Andrade, the only Portuguese woman to ride the skyscraper-sized waves at nearby Nazare, who is on hand year round to deliver lessons to guests of all levels and offer tips on where to find the best waves.

Of course, surfing is not a prerequisite for a stay at Aethos. Habbel and Coe also want their property to be a gathering place for Lisbonites, locals and other travellers. Entrepreneurs can share ideas over the co-working table, and the entire property is designed to encourage socialising, from the pool with its enormous day beds to the lobby with its many different seating areas. The menu at Aethos’ restaurant, Onda – translated as wave – is also curated for sharing. Guests won’t forget the delights of Executive Chef Afonso Blazquez in a hurry; worth a mention are the smoked eel burger and cured mackerel with coriander puree. Dinner is also wont to continue into the night, spilling out onto the ocean-facing terrace.

The decision to create more of an upmarket offering was something of a gamble in this setting; Habbel and Coe could see that Ericeira was growing in popularity, but had no way of knowing whether that would translate into demand for the property they had in mind. Fast forward to the hotel’s opening in late summer 2022 and they needn’t have worried. Ericeira was ready.

EXPRESS CHECK-OUT

Owner / Developer: Limestone Capital

Operator: Aethos

Architecture: Pedra Silva Arquitectos

Interior Design: Astet Studio

Signage: Bindopor

Landscaping: Topiaris

Main Contractor: Novos Construtores

Project Manager: Massiv Bau www.aethoshotels.com

Proud to play our part in the conversion and restoration of some of London’s most significant hospitality projects

Clockwise from top: The OWO / Raffles London, Rosewood London, NoMad London, Kimpton Fitzroy and The Ned