You don't know what catches you the most, that first, Charm House College : if the imposing facade that already from the outside allows us to intuit a great story behind it , if the charm marked by the elegance that radiates from each of its corners, or if it is the friendliness and hospitality of its staff , which makes you feel at home from the moment you walk through its entrance gate.
Although perhaps the secret lies precisely in the perfect blend of all these qualities, which added to the fact that this dream boutique hotel is located in the heart of one of the most beautiful places in the Algarve, Tavira , since —let's stop the stories— we all long to give ourselves a tribute as God intended when the well-deserved vacations arrive. And that, at Colégio Charm House, happens . Well if it happens.
But to understand it, the very first thing is to know its history in depth. The one that tells that in the XVIII century , to all those people who were part of the Royal Court, once they retired, they were given a piece of land somewhere in Portugal . When it was the turn of the king's cook, the site was granted to him, curiously, in Tavira, and he decided to build his own mansion on it: a majestic classical building It even had its own chapel.
You will want to live in this boutique hotel in the Algarve.
Over the centuries, the property was passed from generation to generation, until its use changed: From a family home, it was transformed into a boarding school. just for kids, and then, in a college for both boys and girls. And that was its function until well into the 1970s.
But then the school closed. Nothing else was wanted to do with that palace come unless it attracted so much attention in the middle of the city, so he was abandoned to his fate . Nature, over 30 years, did its thing – also the kids who sneaked into it to play – and took over the space. An increasingly decadent space, more deteriorated, and more forgotten. Until suddenly, José Carlos, Cristina and Marta appeared in history.
This couple from Lisbon and his daughter had already spent some years immersed in other projects in the Algarvian lee : in 2016 they decided to leave their jobs – their parents at a large computer company, their daughter at a pharmacy – to set up a boutique hotel on the outskirts of Tavira. They moved south and created, with exquisite taste, Conversas of Alpendre: with 13 rooms, in this case in a more rural setting , is another one of those oasis that catches without measure.
That was when they discovered the old abandoned school, learned about its history, and decided to buy it: what if they turned it into a hotel? They got down to work and started an arduous path full of a lot of work, not only physical, but also patience, since in the middle of the process the pandemic arrived and everything slowed down : permits, works and results.
A decoration that invites disconnection and relaxation.
After many comings and goings, stops and returns to the project, finally Last July 17, Colégio Charm House opened its doors . Barely a couple of weeks later, they were already putting up the "complete".
STYLE, RESPECT AND DESIGN: THE KEYS TO THE PROJECT
The soul of what was once this old building survives, and perhaps something has to do with the fact that the reform works have tried to respect its primitive structure as much as possible . The hotel has a total of 20 rooms spread over three different spaces , each of them with their own personality.
With a private parking area attached to the building, you only have to climb a few small stairs to find yourself with the pleasant terrace and access to a spacious room where the first thing that surprises is that, here, there is no usual reception: a huge work table gathers part of the team around their computers, which strive to serve guests and convey the essence of this unique place.
The welcome, as is tradition in this family business, takes place with a good piece of homemade cake —Always exposed at the reception and from which each guest can freely help himself whenever he wants— and something to drink. then it will play discover the rest of the spaces exquisitely designed.
And it is that behind the decoration of Colégio Charm House is Christina herself , owner, whose taste is so immense that we can't help but want to take every piece, every object, with us back home: shelves full of books and stacked old papers, inviting cushions, chandeliers or hanging chairs —in pieces!— on the pristine white walls.
Its pools are the tribute we deserve on vacation.
Here, what is worn is the singular: the different . There have been several companies that have advised in the process, such as Lisbon Things of the Earth : neutral colors, reminiscent of the earth, conquer common spaces with materials among which stand out wood and stone.
In a small room unfold tables with games of a lifetime made of wood for the occasion: a three in a row, some checkers or a chess tempt to spend entertaining afternoons. Next door, the bar area —the tableaus behind the bar are pure fantasy— gives way to the restaurant, where the undeniable protagonism falls on a wood-wrapped piano that causes a sensation among the guests.
For now, at their elegant tables, breakfast feasts are served — no time limit to take it : please, hotels of the world, write down— and light lunches : dinners are about to arrive.
FANTASY AT BED TIME
And now yes: let the party begin . The one that is cooked in each of the 20 rooms distributed throughout the hotel. On one side are the 12 that occupy the main building, which has been carefully renovated, taking care of every last detail. The stairs that give access to them are the original ones: built in stone , were experts from Sintra, dedicated to the conservation of its palaces, who were responsible for recovering them.
Each room is named after a woman —Ester, Vitória, Catarina…—, and each one of them is completely different from the others. The most acclaimed? Those built in a duplex format, and those that have —oh, my god— your own terrace with private pool.
But the personality of each bedroom is not only in these details: also the decoration makes the difference . Inspired, of course, by their past as a school, José Carlos and Cristina have gone to great lengths to find unique and design pieces that remind us of past times and that ambience each of them. Toys, old books, musical instruments... Catalogue.
But there is more, much more. because too the old chapel of the mansion has acquired a new life . Prayers are no longer heard in it, although the altar is preserved. Now they have been transformed into two beautiful rooms with names, of course, of angels: Saint Francis and Saint Gabriel.
Design and good taste are breathed in Colégio Charm House.
To top it off, the architects worked together with the owners to design a new part integrated into the main building whose interior is an explosion for the senses: 8 rooms with black walls in which the owners have poured all the inspiration acquired in their exotic trips throughout the world: here, the style breaks with what has been seen until now; here, the color commands. Anything else? You are right: most of them have direct access to the common pool.
A huge and elongated pool with black walls conquered by a good handful of swallows —we are in the Algarve, listen— painted on the wall, and with a very peculiar watchman : so as not to spoil the discovery, we leave it there.
But it's the atmosphere calm and inviting to relax , the one that governs everything in this Lusitanian corner where design, history and elegance go hand in hand. Hence the days at Colégio Charm House are longed for by many : for those who have had the opportunity to live the experience of staying in it —and wish to repeat it—, and for those who are willing to do so.
An original and different bet is that of this little Algarvian boutique hotel that, from now on, has conquered everyone.