New York energy meets Alentejo calm at Quinta Camarena, a retreat born from the gutsy dream of Vera and Cam Camarena. After careers in global fashion and professional photography, the couple left the city’s relentless pace to embrace a life rooted in creativity, community, and sustainability. Their destination of choice, the lush greenery and wild beaches of Portugal’s Alentejo region.
The property, a restored farmhouse near the town of Cercal, was overgrown and crumbling when they first arrived. “It was the first one we saw, and we knew it was the right property for us,” Vera recalls. The valley layout, framed by two gentle hills, revealed hidden trails and secret corners, offering a sense of discovery that would guide the resort’s design. Over years of careful renovation, every element was considered from new hillside duplex rooms that open onto forested balconies, a lounge area that feels like a friend’s living room, and communal spaces that reflect a balance of contemporary polish and rustic charm.
The interior design has been curated entirely by the couple, and merges cement walls and wide glass doors with hand-painted tiles, bespoke wooden furniture, and Cam’s photography. Each room carries a unique identity with antique mirrors, traditional Alentejo doors with small windows; as well as natural light that softens modern lines. Sustainability is threaded through every detail. When the pandemic disrupted supply chains, Vera and Cam turned to reuse and repurpose, transforming leftover fabric, wine jugs, and wood scraps into furniture and artwork that are now central to the property’s aesthetic.
Location is part of the allure. The protected Costa Vicentina park, nearby beaches ideal for surfing, and the rolling hills of Alentejo provide a backdrop that feels expansive. Guests are invited to slow down, explore, and engage with the community for a more intimate experience.
Quinta Camarena stands as an ode to resilience and the joy of discovery. For Vera and Cam, the property represents more than a simple retreat, rather a destination where genuine hospitality and stunning landscape converge to offer the ultimate in disconnection.
Photography, courtesy Quinta Camarena Alentejo.
