← The Grand Tourist with Dan Rubinstein
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- [00:01]
A
One thing I have mer learned, I mean is lifestyle. It's not being the biggest small is good. It's the way you feel people, the people feel at home, the way that people feel that they belong. And that value is what makes a hotel brand outstanding.
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B
Hi, I'm Dan Rubenstein and this is the Grand Tourist. I've been a design journalist for more than 20 years and this is my personalized guided tour through the world of fashion, art, architecture, food and travel. All the elements of a well lived life. It's time again for another episode of the Grand Tourist Reports where we explore news and features ripped from the pages of our biannual print magazine. For our Spring 2026 issue due out in May, we include a trip to a holiday hotspot that's rapidly grown in importance in the past decade, from an insidery rustic getaway to a booming ultra luxury oasis. Comporta. This past summer I had the privilege of visiting this town near the Portuguese coast and the area it's named after, which is all just a short drive south from Lisbo. It's an arid region, surprisingly underdeveloped, with massive stretches of pristine beaches, incredible food and friendly people. I've heard about Europe's creative set having quaint little homes in Comporta for years. While it's hard to confirm, names you might recognize include everyone from decorator Jacques Grange to stiletto legend Christian Louboutin to artist Anson Kiefer. This brings me to my trip to Comporta where I was hosted by a growing hospitality and lifestyle outfit in Comporta called Je Ne Sais Quoi. Their name pulled from the famous French expression spelled with the abbreviation JNC Q U O I is emblematic of their holistic approach to luxury. They have a series of top shelf multi brand boutiques in Portugal for menswear, womenswear and home. With some of their own brands thrown into the mix. They have a private club and open restaurants to all in Lisbon and most importantly today for this podcast, a new beach club and private villas for sale in Comporta. On my visit I stayed at the company's colorful deli suite apartment that's next door to one of their restaurants of the same. Each day a driver in a Land Rover took us on a five minute drive away to the Je Ne Sais Quoi beach club and I was given a tour of their under construction group of villas designed by the award winning Belgian genius Vincent Van Duysen. After my enviable three day visit, all of the food I had in every Corner of their empire was incredible, by the way. I went back to Lisbon and had a night out at Frou Frou, their out of this world Chinese food restaurant that features nightly drag performances. And as a picky gay New Yorker, I can say that both the food and the lovely ladies who sang for Not Just lip Synced by the way, were surprisingly good. The creative and colorful world of Je ne sais quoi was started by an enterprising married couple, Paula Amarim and Miguel Geddes d'. Souza. After my trip, I sat down with Miguel to chat about how he learned his trade working at the Amman why Comporta and Portugal has become such a hot destination, how he got to work with Vincent Van Duysen and his plan for these sexy villas, what his guests should do in a 48 hour stay and. Well, congrats on all of your success. And before we we get to Comporta itself and the amazing project that you have there, tell me about Genesis Qua and how did, how did it begin and how did, how do you describe some. This sort of new little sprawling empire you have to someone who has no idea about it?
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A
Is, is, is a, is a, is a lifestyle company. So it's, it's a legacy that we built to last, creates this ecosystem of lifestyle. And we create hubs, we create hubs, we create city hubs and we create resort hubs. And that's why we built everything walking distance. So we develop this content that you live in our world. So in Avril de Berdad, for example, we have Shinna Siuca House that is going to open next October so that we have an hotel, we have four or five different restaurants that you can choose from. You have wellness, you have a club, entertainment club, we have shops, you have, you know, homeware. So it's an ecosystem that we have created. And of course we create this pyramid that you become part of it in different levels. So we call it elitism for all. So that's the beauty of our business. So that we have the business for every age and cater to everyone. For example, in the club you could be only member of the nightclub because if you are younger and you only want to have that part of the club and of course a much lower price. Or it could be a couple that you want to join or individual, or you could be a family member, it could be insider. So we create these restaurants that are open to the public and there are certain parts of our world that they are close to the members. So that's because we want to create you know, we want to deliver the service to everyone and then everyone has the choice. I want more. I love it what I see. I love what I experience. So that's how. How. That's the beauty of our je ne sais quo world.
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B
Why do you think Portugal has had such focus on an international focus on it for the past decade or so? Like why. Why is it so popular now, do you think?
- [05:38]
A
I mean, first of all, I think it's because of American markets. You know, that one. One of the reasons was the top was privatized by an American. And so the stopover that happened from Americans coming to Europe, it was genius. And then of course they tried in the students Portuguese. Most of them, you know, everyone speaks Portuguese, English. Everyone is so friendly. It's a super safe country. It's very diverse, being a small size. So in a few kilometers you have a completely different landscape which make us very complete and an incredible gastronomy. So Portugal is a typical tourist country and a huge legacy and history. So we have so many strong ingredients to be one of the most popular countries, you know, in terms of tourism in the world. That's a few f. And you know,
- [06:42]
B
obviously I would love to talk about Comporta and this sort of. It's such a. It stands on its own. The project stands on its own in some ways, but also is so part of your overall story and this sort of little ecosystem as you. Just as you describe it. But. But for those who don't know the area of Comporta at all, if you could just speak to what. How do you describe Comporta to somebody?
- [07:07]
A
I mean first of all is the longest and one of the longest and one of the most beaches in Europe and in the world. So it's the longest beach in Europe first. Then he's one hour away from Lisbon, which is super convenient as well. And. And to special to the airports bash airport or. Or Lisbon airport and is a place that is protected. So you never see over construction because it's protected. So every area close to the beach which has 65 kilometers it's protected area. So you only can build at 700, 700 meters from the sea.
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B
So nothing's on the water basically.
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A
Yes, so nothing is on the water. So that's. Basically it's so well protected. And that's. Is going to be like that I think forever. And that's is a. It's a huge asset in terms of this world that he develops so fast and. And we build things so fast and sometimes we destroyed what we have the most beauty, you know, which is nature. So it's, it's. It's an incredible place. Very close to Lisbon. It's like a country club of Lisbon. It could be, you know, it's not. It could not be seasonal. It could be. I prefer a comporta during wintertime. So the landscape is just beautiful. These dunes, the pine forest, the rice fields, the storks. I mean it's, it's very unique in terms of landscape. So when you go there, you truly feel it. So it's very peaceful. The water, the sea water is blue. I mean, sometimes it looks like the Caribbean and you are in Atlantic. The water is cold. But now it's therapeutical to be, you know, is in fashion. You know, you don't need to do cryotherapy. You have to come to compartment. But, but this is beautiful. And, and I, and I. And I think it's, it's. It's. You know, people understand the facts. That's, that's in terms of natural beauty, confidence factor in terms of location and the protection and the local people and the gastronomy and the sea life. It's a huge assets.
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B
And for the villa project there, what did you, what made you think, you know, after doing things in, in Lisbon that that comporta was the right move for you like. And tell me about this, this project.
- [09:39]
A
So this story is a long story. I've been involved in this product for 17 years, which is incredible because when I was in Amman days this used to be the Amenduna. Exactly. The location where is Genesis Quad Club Comporta. So actually I met my wife with Agent Zecca on this plot. So that is a long story that I've been involved in this project. So I mean, so I mean the project, the location is unique. So we talk about the best location. So we have the best plot. The best location. That's the.
- [10:15]
B
What makes it the best plot in Comporto.
- [10:18]
A
It's the best plot because it's very. Is in the middle of the bay and is where the beach, it's very plain. So you don't have the falesia, which is the, you know, the like dunes. The dunes? No, the high dunes.
- [10:33]
B
Okay. So it's kind of flat and it's kind of flat, easy to develop on.
- [10:37]
A
So as well, it's very close to the village, to Carvalhal Vill. When we look to the project, we look to long term. So it's a long term project. So we want to develop the village on the same time of first we start develop the village and then we, we are adding restaurants, shops, you know, now we coming to je ne sais quoi markets with a new markets coming in. So we are developing the destination, then we develop our projects. So that's how we create the beach club. Already exists, already working is an beach club designed by Vincent Van Daas in an amazing location that you, you already experience. So it becomes truly unique destination that you come and you have service and you. And the next years we adding every year 2, 3, 4 different features until we do we finalize the whole project. So that's the plan.
- [11:41]
B
And if someone were to come to you and to say oh my family and I were Americans and we're thinking about, you know, buying a. Some sort of summer, you know, vacation home and we're thinking of France, Italy, somewhere near Barcelona and then maybe Comporta, what would you say in as sort of a brief reasoning like what would you say like why Comporta and why Portugal? Above, above all of your neighbors essentially.
- [12:08]
A
I mean first of all, if you are a New Yorker is no brainer. So you cross the ocean and you are there. So proximity. I think it's, it's, it's very important aspect for the American markets to, to Portugal. Then of course diversity. Portugal, it's, it's small but very diversified country. So everything is close by. So it's, it's, it's eas. It's comfortable. As in terms of gastronomic, we are super strong and as well as unknown which is incredible. We are the oldest country in Europe and probably the less known and that is a fantastic discovery. And we always looking for something that we don't know. And I think that the Portuguese are super nice people. Is a very secured country and has a very important natural beauty. And so that makes us one of the most important countries in the world to visit when we love Americans, for example. And there is not one Portuguese that doesn't like Americans. Over the centuries Americans, for us it was always a dream. And that American dream still lives a lot in Portuguese culture. And the way the Americans are, you know, integrates very well with the Portuguese culture because they are so always so open minded and so respectful on the sense of diversity. And Portuguese, they are very humble people and they like very extrovert people and immediately you create a very friendly environment and then the Portuguese gain trust and they serve you better than anybody else. So I mean I think co Porter it's in terms of location, it's strategically well, it's unknown. Still a lot to be developed. So There is a lot of, you know, a lot of nature.
- [14:19]
B
Do you worry about. Let's talk about talking about the development. I mean, one of the things I liked about the visit is that how peaceful it was and how quiet it was and how quaint the towns were and just how it is such a nice relief from so many other places that are so overdeveloped. Do you ever wonder that, you know, in the future that. That there's just that these things can get overheated. Obviously over tourism is becoming an issue all over the world. Do you. Is. Is there a way of that you think about it as like trying not to get too. Too developed.
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A
I mean, that is that these are dangerous. That any place has sure. The only. The only great thing about. About the areas to be to have real estate already been booked. So it's very hard or you. Or you buy already an existing house. To buy a new one and develop is quite. Quite difficult special to license. So that's already. It's a positive sense that's. And then is the rules of Hidnatura, which is the name of. Of the protection area that you have from the dunes to the pine forests. So you cannot build nothing 700 meters away. So already that it creates a protection for all our lives, which is worth it, you know, have that trust that this place is going to be unique. And then, I mean, if you come in August, which is the busiest month in Comporta, and you look to the beach to the left and you look to the right, you see it empty. I mean, 65 kilometers of beach. I mean, it needs thousands and thousands of hotels to fill up that beach. I don't think that's going to happen at least in our lifetimes, you know, the rest I don't know. But I think if I had to invest, I will invest in Comporte more than any place in Europe right now, you know, because for that reasons I stayed.
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B
And so there's a beach club with a restaurant and cabanas on the. On the ocean and as well as things being built more further in which include these villas and tell me a little bit about the villas and. And how they're sort of divided up because there are different types.
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A
Yes. So we talk about the village first. The village is Carvalho. We develop Genesisqua, Delhi Bar, and we have three amazing shops. We have, you know, a woman's fashion clinic, men's fashion clinic, and then House of Cap. And then we are building the markets, which is going to be, you know, beautiful store with food that you can take over, you can eat there, you can take away gourmet, you know, for, you know, with all kinds of fantastic goods that, that we're developing there. That's, that's the village and that's like
- [17:13]
B
a 10 minute drive basically to the beach.
- [17:16]
A
Yes, 10 minute drive. Mark five, five minutes. 10, five, 10 minutes drive. So that's very important for us. We developed the village so to create, you know, so the market has things to do and things to experience. Then we have on our club. So the club, it's 164 hectares, just the next left from the beach club. So It's a beautiful 1km of beachfront and we have these beautiful dunes and pyre forests. And then you arrive to this beauty to the beautiful Genesis Qua Club Comporta. Genesisqua Club Comporta is three in one. So it's a private members club. It's a village gated community with 64 villas and high end hotel with 34 pavilions. On these 34 pavilions we have an amazing amenities and facilities. We have the club, the club of the whole complex which has three restaurants. It's like a. It's like you're going to a first class lounge. You have food that's free of charge that is already there. And you have meeting rooms, you have a concierge, you have a wine shop, you have a fashion clinic as well. Then you have two restaurants. You have a grill and rice restaurant called Shama Flame in English. And then we have Vera. Vera is a Mediterranean restaurant. And then you have a beautiful big pool for adults only. And of course Genesis Quoi Grill Asia. So that Asian food, Teppanyaki, you know, fantastic Asian best sellers. That's the club. Then you have the Athletic Club. So the Athletic Club it's. It's a wellness club. Focus on, on muscle and physical recuperation. So it's a program that you, you use athletes to recover really fast from injuries or, or they are improving is their physical. In Portugal we have the best physiotherapists in the world due to the worlds of soccer that we are so good at. And so that's. It's completely focused on that program on very fast physical recuperation, you know, and that brings you mental wellness, improve and health and so on. So let's very focused on sports recuperation. So that's made by Gary Paint, which is one of our consultants and we've been developing this for a few years. That's part of one of the main amenities. Then you have the racquet Club, the Racket Club. It's a country club for our club members that are club members in Lisbon or some that club members in Comporta area. And is a gym of a thousand square meters Kids club, teenagers club. A huge pool round, beautiful pool for the families. A place to play tennis. We have amazing tennis courts, pickleball and padel and of course a huge gym with different rooms for all kinds of sports and that we are developing and as well with a very nice area for events as well. So that's the, and what's going to very important is have fantastic lockers that the family can spend the day there. Some that can go play tennis and go to the, to the kids club. The parents can go have lunch by themselves to the, you know, to the beach club and leave the kids, you know, protected and organized. So it's a place for the whole family so that we want to contribute to pamper our members and to simplify their lives so that everyone, so you know there is many clubs around the world but there is only very few clubs that catering all ages. So that's what we are doing best.
- [21:20]
B
So I did notice a lot of, a lot of families at the beach club and seem to be kind of well integrated there. This sort of, I don't know, it's kind of hard to explain but sort of like a family of the 21st century of, of very sophisticated kids. But you know, a place that everyone can have a good time.
- [21:40]
A
Yes. And they can choose so that we have, you know, we have to cater to all ages so everyone is happy. So when we built this, this, when I had this vision to build this place, I built this place for my family and for my family to be happy and for the family of my friends to be happy and the friends of my friends. So that's how we create this created community of like minded people. They love what we are offering and get it so they get at this service, they get it what they are paying for. And that's how we catering and we've been so successful developing these dreams dream this vision that, that now we are so, so happy to, to make it happen.
- [22:24]
B
And when it comes to the villas, you've been working with Vincent Van Doissen who is of course a, a wonderful designer and I believe you actually started working with him sort of midway through the process if I remember correctly.
- [22:38]
A
Yes, I, I, I had all the project design by another architect and then Naomi Cinzano, the contest of Naomi Cinzano invites me to go to her house for lunch and then I went and then I met Vincent van Dajen and a very nice man. We connect. He was an Amman junkie, so he loved Amman. I worked for so many surahmans, so we immediately had fantastic conversation about the places that he liked the most discuss it. So then he invited me to go to his house. I went to his house and I had a panic attack because for years I was looking for the right architect, the right person to develop my dream and he was close next to me and I did not know and that I felt terrible. And then I have to make a very, very crazy hard decision is to. To through the. The project we had before to the Bean and start all over again. And then we did that. It was totally nuts on that time and probably was the best decision of my life.
- [23:56]
B
And so when I was able to visit, you know, I could feel this idea of sort of club membership as something that was really important to you guys as. As sort of like sort of a concept. And in a. In a country like Portugal that's small, you know, it seems to be very key is that you're really connected to everybody and you know who everybody is, but it's also really international. So tell me a little bit about like who are you targeting with. With this sort of. With Comporta and the villas. Like is it more for it. It seems on some scale like it seems to be for Portuguese but obviously like it has a really big international appeal.
- [24:35]
A
I mean first of all we are Portuguese so that I, I want to have Portuguese in a. In a concept because we don't want these typical resorts, you know, super quality that are. Are empty all year round and are only full during summer. That's won't try to avoid at all. Means we want to be the country club of Lisbon. So that's. We want to. We cater to our club members first. So that's how we do the. For our first phase was only sold to our club and we were very, very successful. Of course we sold at a special price because they were club members because they invest in us when we were unknown. And then we've been developing all the concepts through their support. So that we want to give, you know, in lecture. You give, then you take and that is what we have done. So that's the. So the first phase was almost sold by club members. People that live in Lisbon. They are mixed. They are 60% foreigners and 40% Portuguese. Which is for us is truly important because we want people to experience others experience of other people from other worlds and connect them together. You know, that's the beauty of the concept and have this integration that's only not by you and your wife, but they are already your kids. Multi, you know, know, multicultural. It's, it's, it's, it's a very important growth process for, for the whole family.
- [26:05]
B
In the past two years, what's the feedback been like? Like, what are people saying? Why do they like it? I mean, clearly people come back again and again and when I was there, it was, it was, you know, pretty false. Like how, what do people love about it?
- [26:16]
A
I mean, it was a bit controversial because it was the first time in Portugal that we delivered such service and such service become, you know, the price.
- [26:22]
B
Why was it controversial?
- [26:24]
A
It was controversial because, you know, we, we want, wants to, to, to rise, rise the level of how you wish we, we built a beach club, you know, we spent 7 million euros doing a beach club, you know, all in woods, you know, so that's, that's, that has to have a payback and that payback, I mean, you have to put prices to a certain level, which could be a bit controversial for a country that does not experience, you know, such a high, you know, high luxury. And that's, that's normal. Normal. I mean, so, but that's why you, you, you become member, because if you could become member, you pay much than other people. So we want to cater for the Portuguese and for the international crowd. So that's, that's, you know, we are rising the level and rising the level always brings, you know, changes, always brings certain controversies. You know, it's normal, it's normal because we don't want to, you know, and I'm in a changer. I'm a changer. I, I, I want to develop my country. I want to make my country the best and I do everything I got to make this happening.
- [27:34]
B
When it comes to your time at Amman and working with the founder Adrian Zaka, what would you say you learned from him in your time there?
- [27:42]
A
Broadly speaking, I have learned so many things. One thing I've learned is lifestyle. So that's, it's not being the biggest. Small is good. It's the way you feel people, the people feel at home, the way the people feel that they belong. And that value is what makes a hotel brand outstanding. And that I've learned that you never say no in Amman. I mean on that times when I was in Amman, now it's quite, quite different, I think. But, but you know, no signing bills. Everyone knows your name. I mean people are, are devoted to Pamper you people are chosen by their hearts, not by their techniques. An incredible design, a sense of design and an integration in the nature and the respect from the local culture. And the pebble toppings, they are on top of everything. They are so well, thoughtful. And then passion, passion for beautiful things, passion to serve, passion to make the world better. And that's when you deliver with hearts and all the ingredients and special occasions is, makes really unique.
- [29:11]
B
And so I, you know, I was able to spend a few days there and, and so when someone comes to visit maybe for, you know, let's say for 48 hours, what would you describe as like the perfect 48 hours at Jean Cigar Comporto?
- [29:25]
A
I mean we have an incredible agreement with Range Rover. So I pick you up from the airport with a nice Range Rover with a nice fantastic driver that speaks your language and, and they will explain to you about our world. It drives you to Avenue, ask if you want to eat fish, you know, Mediterranean, Asian, Chinese or clubby food so that you could choose. So you choose. You get out of, of, of your car, you can choose, you know, immediately you have the manager on the door to, to receive you, call you by the name and take you to the place that you want and, and, and, and what you like to eat, you know, what you want. And that, that's, that's service. Service is deliver what you. And then I can take you to a beautiful men's or woman's shop, you know, doing shop and shop, deliver the sizes probably I know already your size probably everything's already waiting for you. Then you could choose if you want to sleep in Genesisqua House, you know, beautiful design by Vincent Van Dazza. Or you can go straight to the comport or spend just one day there. I organized a beautiful tour with one of our concierge around the city to show you things that you are more focused on. And then in nighttime you can go to the club and listen some music dancing. And then the next day we drive you across the bridge, we take you to Comporta, you arrive to Carvalho village, you can go and see our shops. You can have lunch, you can have breakfast. You can stay in our rice fields house where we could see the storks flying over the the rice fields. Then I can organize a beautiful table by the beach under a pine tree, a beautiful paella cook only for you. If you want fish, if you want meat, if you want only seafood, it's your choice. I set up a beautiful private beach for you and that we could stay by. Because the beach is so long. There is so much space for everyone. You could choose that you can be in a beach club. More alive. More people can have lunch on a beach club. I could have privately. Then you take with two our club tents as well. Can have lunch there, can ride horses and the next day, the next, the same night. Yeah, you're going. I could have a beautiful dinner in our deli. Delhi Comporte. Designed by, by, by Jean Fried de Meyer. Very funky, very alentejo kind of.
- [32:00]
B
It's called the deli, but it's really not. It's for our New Yorkers. It's not a deli, it's just called the deli. It's not a deli, it's just a Russian, a bar and restaurant.
- [32:07]
A
It's quite a restaurant that it's this. So that's, so that's you, you know, is designed the way you want it. So there is a plenty of choice. That's why it's super important that we connect the two hubs. The hub of Lisbon, the hub of Comporta. That can make a truly great experience when you come into our country.
- [32:27]
B
And what's next for, for the little je ne sais quoi empire after Comporta is fully completed?
- [32:35]
A
I mean, of course Comport is going to be our flagship club. Comporta as well. We are opening as well the hotel in Lisbon. So our concept is hubs. So we, we are specializing developed neighborhoods. So could be in a city or could be on a resort. So that's, that's, that's the integration, the integration of the club and the lifestyle that I explained to you before and the pyramid that we have done. So that's a new concept. So on that, I mean we want to have one more two years developing and fine tuning and then I think we could, you know, go international. And that's, that's, that's definitely our plan.
- [33:16]
B
Is there any countries internationally that you've had your eye on or that you, you thought could benefit from this kind of approach?
- [33:23]
A
Yes.
- [33:24]
B
Which ones? Can you name one or two?
- [33:28]
A
I mean, I always like America.
- [33:31]
B
Oh, okay.
- [33:33]
A
I mean America has the best clients in the world. So I mean, I think with our soul and our vision, long term vision, I think we'll be very successful in the United States.
- [33:45]
B
Okay, I welcome you over. Please bring the idea over here. I would love to see what you guys were able to do with it.
- [33:54]
A
We are studying. We are studying.
- [33:58]
B
Thank you to my guest, Miguel Geddes d' Souza and to Sarah Boyd for making this episode happen. The editor of the Grand Tourist is Stan Hall. To keep this going, don't forget to visit our website and sign up for our newsletter, the Grand Tourist curator@thegrandtourist.net and follow me on Instagram danrubenstein and follow the Grand Tourist on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you like to to listen and leave us a rating or comment. Every little bit helps. Till next time.