Lua Nua - an eco-friendly gay hotel in southern Portugal

Lua Nua is a boutique guesthouse for men with a clothing-optional pool immersed in lush nature, located a few miles away from the beautiful, pristine beaches of the Costa Vicentina in southern Portugal. This eco-friendly hotel uses water from a well that is heated with electricity from solar panels. Organic waste is composted, eco-friendly amenities are provided to guests, and their cleaning products are chemical-free. Mr Hudson talks to Franck, Marco and Christophe, owners of Lua Nua, about the history of the guesthouse, the guest experience, and some of their favourite places in southern Portugal.

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Tell us a about the history of Lua Nua

This quinta (that is Portuguese for a country estate) to us is a magical place: the first time we visited it, we were immediately carried away into another world. You can feel the energy of the wild nature surrounding you and the serenity of being in a secluded yet vibrant environment. We knew this would be the perfect place to disconnect from our hectic routine and reconnect with ourselves, the people around us and nature. And this is precisely the experience that we want to offer you an experience created by gay men for gay men.

“We wanted to create a space where people could disconnect from their hectic daily life and reconnect with others and themselves”

What does Lua Nua stand for?

Lua Nua means Naked Moon. Naked, because we wanted to create a space where you are free to be as you feel like, and the Moon… well, you will understand when you see the breathtaking night sky, clear of clouds or light pollution and scattered with plenty of stars. Alentejo is famous for its “stargazing quality”.

Tell us about the three of you

We are Franck, Marco and Christophe, from France and Italy. After living in many different countries (including ten years in Rome) and travelling around the world, we decided to settle down in Portugal 6 years ago.

What makes your property special?

We wanted to create a space where people could disconnect from their hectic daily life and reconnect with others and themselves, and we are continually working towards this goal. That’s why we organise dinners a few times a week, an opportunity to enjoy good food, get to know the other guests and make new friends from all around the world.

But what makes this place unique is its setting: Lua Nua is surrounded by lush nature in a secluded and picturesque 16h land, close by the Atlantic Ocean and the most pristine and fascinating beaches of the Portuguese coast. Our clothing-optional pool offers total privacy.

“We think we have a good sense of what our guests expect from a place like ours”

Why is your property so popular with the gay community?

Lua Nua is a place for men in the middle of nowhere. It’s popular with the gay community because it’s unique! Coming to Lua Nua feels like being at a friends’ house for a vacation but with all the comforts and perks of a fancy accommodation.

How do you keep up with changing customer expectations?

That was something that we were worried about when we first started, but, as we are travellers ourselves too, we think we have a good sense of what our guests expect from a place like ours. Constant but discreet attention, a warm and friendly but still private environment… we’ve had the most diverse types of clients, but these always seemed to work.

How important is design these days as part of the hotel experience?

Design is one of the keys to offer the best experience possible to our guests. Lua Nua has been designed in collaboration with DC-AD, an architectural studio based in Lisbon.

Our rooms are individually decorated and designed to offer you comfort and privacy. All the rooms are ensuite and feature a private terrace. The central part of the house is a common area where guests can meet and enjoy time together when they feel like it.

Our 14×5 swimming pool, treated with UV and salt to ensure an excellent quality of water, has been designed to be entirely embedded in the beautiful landscape surrounding the property.

Do you have plans for another project in the future?

Sometimes we think about what will be next, but for now, we are fully committed to making Lua Nua the best place for your vacations. We still have lots of ideas to make your stay unforgettable.

But we will keep you updated when something new is on the way.

What makes the South of Portugal such a great destination?

Well, you have to come and see for yourself. You could see pictures online, but until you are here you can’t understand how beautiful this area of Portugal is: the beaches, the Ocean, the cliffs, the countryside, the small villages, the food… it’s a complete experience for all your senses.

Get 10% off your bookings using this coupon MRHUDSON10 directly on www.luanua.pt

Things to do in Costa Vicentina Portugal

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