“I always wanted Quinta da Comporta to be a place of gathering, sharing, where everyone feels at home”
Five years after the opening of Quinta da Comporta, Miguel Câncio Martins, architect and founder of this wellness boutique resort, talks about what motivated him and his expectations for the future of this space dedicated to the art of hospitality.
What do you consider the main source of inspiration for the design and architecture of Quinta da Comporta?
As this is a project I dreamed about for more than thirty years, what always inspired me was the place where Quinta da Comporta is located… The region, the local lifestyle so genuine and with its own rhythm, but especially that exact piece of land where our property now stands, facing the vast rice fields. What was once a communal space where people gathered for the rice harvest and processing, the threshing floor, remains the heart of Quinta da Comporta today. It is a place where the connection with nature is experienced in a unique way. The design and architecture of Quinta da Comporta reflect respect for the location, a desire to preserve the unique identity of Comporta, and at the same time, seek to recreate that sense of community. I always wanted the resort to be a place of gathering and sharing, where everyone would feel at home.
How do you evaluate the five years since Quinta da Comporta’s opening? Has the project evolved as expected?
The project has evolved very positively compared to what was initially planned. Being a “living organism,” it adapts to new trends, client demands, and new ways of living (and working) in the hospitality industry. Of course, I always believed in the success of Quinta da Comporta, dreaming that one day it would become a reference (as I feel it is today). But in fact, it exceeded expectations. It’s a very positive balance, but we approach each day with our feet firmly on the ground, never lowering our guard. We continue working to fulfill our purpose, overcoming every new challenge.
What were the main challenges you encountered during the conception and construction of the resort? How were they overcome?
Quinta da Comporta is a project born from an old dream. Comporta is part of my personal history, as a place I would come to with my family on vacation. I fell in love with the region and nurtured the dream of one day building a “home” here to share this passion for the place and lifestyle. This area of Comporta was, for many years, a private estate of the Espírito Santo family. Initially, the challenge was securing the possibility of creating on this exact site – many years were spent visiting the spot where the resort stands today, stopping under that tree [the weeping willow] – in an area in ruins, where there were barns housing agricultural machinery and empty warehouses. Over time, the opportunity arose. Then, during construction, most of the challenges were technical. Given the specific area – rice paddies with a high water table – we had to find technical solutions to ensure the foundation’s solidity. During the restoration of the buildings – many of which were severely degraded – we faced some difficulties, but they were always overcome through innovative solutions, using various technologies while maintaining a focus on sustainability and guest comfort.
How would you describe Quinta da Comporta’s architectural philosophy? What values or principles did you aim to convey through the project?
For me, the art of hospitality is a noble art that, unfortunately, is not widely developed or refined. I was determined to create a place that embodies this art of hospitality. Quinta da Comporta’s architecture was designed to maintain local authenticity (respecting traditional construction), preserving and telling its story while always adding comfort. Each space in the wellness boutique resort was conceived to allow guests to genuinely experience Comporta as a destination, rooted in a connection with nature in its purest form. Comporta has the perfect balance between nature and local lifestyle, making it the unique place it is. Quinta da Comporta doesn’t aim to alter this balance but to respect and honor it, ensuring its heritage endures. We do this by sharing our vision and mission with our visitors through memorable experiences that we hope inspire them to fall in love with this place as much as we do.
Sustainability is a central theme at Quinta da Comporta. Can you tell us a bit about the different solutions implemented and how they were integrated into the architecture?
My focus on sustainability was present from the first sketches and the concept for this hotel. In other projects, both locally and internationally, sustainability has always been an integral part of my work. As I always say, we may not be the ones to save the planet, but if everyone does their part, with what they can, while knowing we won’t be perfect, we will undoubtedly have a positive impact.
At Quinta da Comporta, it was crucial to do everything within our power to minimize the environmental impact in this area of natural beauty. It all started with the design, the way the project was conceived, and the choices of materials and technical solutions. These were the foundation stones for creating a sustainable project. For example, we chose thick walls and raised floors in the foundations to enhance thermal insulation and avoid humidity, thereby reducing the need for heating or air conditioning as much as possible.
In the construction phase, we reused all the demolished materials for the foundations and landscaping and preserved the existing structures where feasible. We also installed solar panels, which generate the energy needed to heat all the water in the resort and provide electricity, and implemented water management solutions, like recycling greywater for irrigation to minimize unnecessary water use.
In our day-to-day operations, we make simple gestures that make a difference, such as minimizing plastic usage. We provide glass water bottles for guests, use local products in the Inari restaurant (many from our own garden), and have an entirely electric fleet for guest transportation within the resort and for internal team use.
How was it working with the team on such a large and complex project?
Indeed, a project is never the result of one person alone. I may be the face of it, as the founding architect, but making Quinta da Comporta a reality in just two years was a tremendous team effort. I must mention my father’s support, who contributed greatly as an architect as well, the engineers, João Canteiro, a project management expert, Inês Alves Ribeiro, who worked alongside me, Tereza Bordal (…). The entire MCM atelier team, and all the partners involved, from logistics to construction and manufacturing. I don’t want to leave anyone out, but I can say that Quinta da Comporta is the result of a collective effort from an absolutely extraordinary team, with whom I had the good fortune to share the realization of this dream.
How has the experience of creating Quinta da Comporta influenced your career and subsequent projects?
Quinta da Comporta was a major, major experience. The hotel matches what I had envisioned and what guests increasingly seek. It was truly my first signature project, as founder, architect, and designer. But every stage offers lessons and insights. I’ve learned a lot for future projects—whether in terms of details, organization, or simply decision-making. While staying true to authenticity, there’s always room to do better.
What sets the Quinta da Comporta project apart from other developments in the region?
Although there are other accommodation projects in the area, Quinta da Comporta stands out as the only wellness boutique resort of this size, offering unique services and experiences. Each concept differs for various reasons, but more than focusing on what sets us apart, I hope we can unite to build the “Comporta destination” in a way that stays true to its essence.
How do you view Quinta da Comporta’s impact on the local community and the environment over the past five years?
Respecting and integrating the local community into the project has been a priority from the beginning, even before moving forward with it. I always wanted to give back to the community what Comporta gives us. We are involved in several actions and initiatives that bring us closer to the community, and it’s important to us to contribute to the growth and improvement of their quality of life. We’ve worked on a project for a senior residence, pooled efforts to fund a new fire station in Carvalhal, and we’re currently working on a major project to build a church for the village, designed by me and funded by the hotel. We’re also committed to improving existing structures and creating a sports center, in addition to supporting local initiatives like village festivals and the sweet potato festival, which are so important to the local population. These are many small gestures that unite us and are fundamental to this daily exchange with the community. Regarding the environment, we believe that all efforts make a difference and that together we will continue our mission to preserve Comporta’s natural beauty.
How would you classify Quinta da Comporta within the luxury tourism landscape in Portugal in the coming years?
As an independent hospitality player, Quinta da Comporta focuses on quality, service, and constant innovation. We are not a large group and don’t aim to be. But we aspire to remain top-of-mind for guests and partners when they think of this concept of luxury based on simplicity, authenticity, and a holistic approach to well-being. In the coming years, we will continue along this path, always attentive to what’s happening around us and constantly seeking to improve our product and align with market demands.
What can we expect for the future of Quinta da Comporta?
Our goal is always to enhance the guest experience, and we believe we should do this by staying true to our sustainable hospitality vision, which seeks to provide true well-being for our guests. We’ve recently added more solar panels, and I would like to set a goal of one day achieving zero energy consumption from the grid. We are also committed to developing new activities, in the spa and restaurant, and creating other points of sale for our visitors. We have many plans and dreams yet to be realized, but we live each day in the present, and for now, what I really hope for is to continue welcoming you well.
