THE MODERNIST, Faro
Where a beautifully restored 1970s apartment building celebrates mid-century design in the cultural heart of the Algarve.
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A faithful modernist restoration that celebrates the architecture and design language of the 1970s.
● Spacious design apartments that combine authentic mid-century aesthetics with contemporary comfort.
● One of Faro’s most distinctive boutique stays, offering an urban alternative to the Algarve’s beach resorts.
A Modernist Revival
THE MODERNIST offers a different perspective on the Algarve. Instead of coastal resorts and traditional villas, this intimate property embraces the city’s overlooked architectural heritage through the careful restoration of a 1970s apartment building in the centre of Faro. Rather than reinventing the building, the owners chose to celebrate its original identity. Clean geometric forms, generous balconies, terrazzo floors, and the restrained elegance of post-war modernism remain central to the experience, creating a boutique stay that feels authentic rather than nostalgic. The result is one of the Algarve’s most convincing tributes to mid-century design.
Design with Purpose
Every interior reflects a deep appreciation for modernist principles. Original terrazzo flooring, exposed concrete details, warm timber finishes, muted colour palettes, and carefully selected vintage-inspired furniture create spaces that feel timeless and quietly sophisticated. Lighting has been designed to enhance the architecture rather than compete with it, while carefully curated artwork adds personality without disturbing the overall sense of calm. The atmosphere is refined, tactile, and effortlessly livable.
Apartments That Feel Like Home
Rather than traditional hotel rooms, THE MODERNIST offers six generously proportioned apartments, each individually designed while remaining faithful to the building’s architectural character. Open-plan living areas, fully equipped kitchens, bespoke furnishings, contemporary bathrooms, and large windows create bright, comfortable spaces that encourage guests to settle into the rhythm of the city. Every apartment feels less like temporary accommodation and more like a beautifully designed urban residence. It’s modern hospitality through the lens of residential living.
A Rooftop Above Faro
The rooftop terrace provides one of the property’s defining experiences. Overlooking Faro’s terracotta rooftops, historic churches, and the lagoons of the Ria Formosa beyond, it offers a peaceful setting to begin or end the day. Morning coffee, afternoon reading, or a glass of Portuguese wine at sunset all feel perfectly suited to the relaxed pace of southern Portugal. Rather than dramatic spectacle, the rooftop offers atmosphere, light, and perspective.
Discovering a Different Algarve
THE MODERNIST also serves as an introduction to a side of Faro that many visitors overlook. Beyond the gateway to the Algarve’s beaches lies a city rich in architecture, local markets, independent cafés, galleries, and an emerging creative scene. The hotel encourages guests to explore its surrounding neighbourhoods, revealing Faro as a destination with its own identity rather than simply an arrival point for the coast. It is an experience rooted in culture as much as place.
Why it Works
THE MODERNIST proves that some of the Algarve’s most rewarding stays are found far from the beach. Through its thoughtful restoration, authentic mid-century interiors, and intimate scale, it offers a boutique experience that feels both highly personal and architecturally significant. For travellers drawn to design, urban culture, and hotels with a genuine sense of identity, THE MODERNIST remains one of Faro’s most compelling addresses.
