UXUA Maré Trancoso: Wilbert Das’s Restored Houses by the Beach
Some links may earn Jet Set LatAm a commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations remain editorially independent.
UXUA Maré brings a different kind of designer stay to Trancoso. The starting point is not a new building made to resemble an old one, but three historic farmhouses moved from Minas Gerais and rebuilt by Wilbert Das and his team within an Atlantic Forest setting near Itapororoca Beach. Their past is part of the accommodation, not merely a decorative theme.
For travelers interested in hotels with a recognizable creative point of view, this offers a rich subject: how an existing structure can be adapted to a new landscape without erasing its character. It also creates a practical choice. A house near the beach and forest gives a different rhythm to a trip than a base centered on the Quadrado.
Quick Links
UXUA Maré official houses and reservations · Casa Azul details · Casa Amarela · Casa Branca
Contents
Highlights
- UXUA Maré is a distinct setting from the original UXUA hotel houses.
- Compare the named house and its layout rather than a generic room category.
- Leave time for the accommodation itself to become part of the trip.
Houses with a previous life
The appeal of a restored house is often found in the relationship between what was preserved and what was changed. At Maré, that question is especially visible because the buildings have crossed from one Brazilian region to another. The project invites attention to structure, materials and the work involved in making an old house useful again.
It is a different way to understand luxury from looking for the newest finish or the largest lobby. A room can feel valuable because its details reward attention over time. For your own visit, consider whether you enjoy that kind of character and a house-based experience, rather than assuming that every design-led hotel will offer the same atmosphere.
Look closely at Casa Azul
Casa Azul gives the clearest published example. Its one-suite layout includes a private pool and kitchen. The property describes blue-painted structural elements retained from its earlier life, alongside a carved divider by Pataxó artisan Rosivaldo. These details make the collaboration between designer, building and craftsperson tangible.
Rather than treating the room as a background for photographs, choose one detail to study: the way a divider changes a sightline, how old color remains visible, or where a piece of furniture meets the architecture. That attention can make a short stay feel more memorable than collecting images of every corner.
Keep attribution precise when sharing the experience. A designer-led project can involve many hands. Naming the craftsperson where the hotel provides that information gives a fuller account than crediting every object to one person. It is also a useful habit when visiting other places where local work shapes the interiors.
Choose for your group
The official collection lists Casa Azul with one suite, and Casa Amarela and Casa Branca with three suites each. Treat those as starting points for comparison, then confirm occupancy and sleeping arrangements directly. A suite count alone does not establish how many adults or children a booking can accommodate.
For a couple, think about how much time you want to spend privately at the house. For friends or family, ask for the layout and discuss whether everyone is comfortable with the distribution of bedrooms and shared areas. Different sleep schedules can matter as much as the total floor space.
Ask about access from the arrival point, paths through the property and any steps that could affect your group. Historic character and a forest setting make practical questions worthwhile. Request an answer about the specific house rather than relying on a broad description of the collection.
Plan around the setting
Begin with the location you are actually booking. Ask the team to explain current transport options to the Quadrado and any restaurant plans elsewhere in Trancoso. Avoid building an evening around an assumed walking time, especially when your plans involve a late return.
Keep one afternoon deliberately open. A house chosen for its setting and interiors deserves more than the interval between excursions. Reading, a quiet meal or simply sitting without planning the next stop can be part of the reason for choosing this accommodation.
Before confirming, compare the complete rate conditions: meals, house services, transport, cancellation and any required deposit. Ask about dining arrangements during your dates and whether anything needs advance booking. Published descriptions introduce the property, while your confirmation should establish the details of your stay.
UXUA Maré adds something distinct to a designer-hotel itinerary: the chance to follow how old Brazilian houses become places for a different pace of travel. Choose the house for the people coming with you, then leave enough room in the itinerary to notice the work around you.
Turn inspiration into a journey
Make room for this in your next trip.
Notes from the Jet Set world
A little inspiration.
A beautiful next trip.
New stories, city discoveries and the Jet Set edit, delivered to your inbox.
Free to join. Unsubscribe whenever you like. Privacy & disclosure
Search flights with Skyscanner
Suggested arrival airport area: Porto Seguro. Change it to match your route. Choose your airports and dates. Results open on Skyscanner.
This search uses affiliate tracking and may earn Jet Set LatAM a commission at no extra cost to you.
Compare stays in Trancoso
Choose your dates and compare hotels and rentals. Check the location, total price and cancellation terms before booking.