From the same owners of Casas Caiadas, opened in 2020 the Open House, a guest house in the historic center of Arraiolos. Designed to live “an authentic Alentejo beyond the countryside”, the guesthouse is “an invitation to know a well preserved village, with history and tradition”, in the words of Mário Domingues, one of the owners.
The now large and very white building was abandoned, almost in ruins, “but with enormous architectural potential.” Located between two pedestrian streets and with two entrances, it also did not lack curriculum: at the beginning of the last century it functioned as lodging and more recently as a pastry shop – not any, but “the one that gave rise to the pastel of bacon, the most famous sweet arraiolos”.
Luís Pereira Miguel, the same architect of Casas Caiadas, was again called to sign
the recovery project, with the idea of “reopening the house to the two streets, hence the name, and recovering the social and commercial dynamics of the village”. Not by chance, to the four doors that already existed was added a fifth – the only risk is that the décor is so careful, and the pool on the terrace so inviting, that you may not feel like going out.
On the ground floor is the social area and the kitchen, on the top three bedrooms and a suite. In all the light and minimalist style prevails, with special pieces created for the place and signed by João Bruno – designer who has worked the wool of Arraiolos to make chairs, for example – and the artist Graça Paz, who reinterpreted the blue and arches of alentejo in a collection of canvases.
For a romantic retreat or a family getaway, the house can be reserved for the room or on a private basis, and in this case, it has capacity for eight people – ten, with a little way.