The Area: A unique location set amongst the wetlands and salt pans in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, Moinhos das Marés is located at the edge of the village of Fuzeta (often spelled Fuseta as well). The private grounds of the salt pans can be accessed with a key from the hotel and hold flocks of flamingos. A 10 to 15 minute walk will bring you to the harbour where ferries and private water taxis bring you to unspoiled beaches.
The DNA: Portuguese owner Margarida and German husband Jens are locals. Margarida’s grandfather acquired the tidal mill in 1920. Although it never functioned as such, several worker families from the salt company lived in the building until the 1990s when it was completely abandoned. In 2006 plans commenced to restore the ruin and it took 10 long bureaucratic years to come into fruition. The restoration was done using traditional techniques and local laborers. Everything reflects the magic of the Eastern Algarve without being overly rustic or traditional: whitewashed walls reflecting the sunshine and bright light, local stone and tiles and the omnipresent wetlands with the tide coming in and out. In the restaurant, the former millstone still can be admired.
Suite-Me-Up: Rooms too are in a similar aesthetic as the architecture and overall design. Mainly decorated in white, they come with (heated) tiled floors, a flat-screen satellite and a mini refrigerator with free bottled water. We suggest leaving the TV as it is, switch off the air conditioning, and open the windows to the sound of the tide coming in and the seagulls squeaking. Rooms number 4 and 5 are the largest and share a patio with a privacy screen and creek views. Combined, these make a great family apartment. Room number three has no terrace, but has views and the rooms number 1 and 2 have a small terrace in front of the entrance door (all rooms have private entrances).
✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 5 rooms (18-25m2) (194-269 sq ft) • hotel opened: June 2016 • architecture: Travângula ✅ free on-site parking • no pets allowed • wheelchair accessible
