WELCOME TO AL SUAVE HOUSE
Al Suave is the result of a long relationship with El Zonte. What began as a plot discovered on a surf trip is now a private coastal refuge, a ‘one-of-one’ property in El Salvador, grounded in community.
Set directly on the beachfront, the five-bedroom house is arranged across half an acre and designed to follow the natural layout of the land. Curving roofs mimic the nearby waves, and a pool flows through the property like a river.
An ocean-view mezzanine doubles as a yoga studio and movie room. The tree-house has two bunk rooms, a two-story library, a giant hammock, and a spiral staircase connecting the spaces. There is also a separate wellness centre for yoga, sauna and cold plunge.
Owner Matt “Matteo” Schapiro spent years returning to El Zonte before buying the plot in the early 2000s, initially camping there with friends for the surf.
What we love about Al Suave House
- The extraordinary design by Salvadoran architects José Roberto Paredes and Paula Cabrera Gil – the house was shortlisted in the World Architecture Festival 2024 and won a Gold Prize at the Architecture Madrid Awards 2025.
- Surf – the very thing that brought owner Matt here some 23 years ago – remains central to the experience at Al Suave, with some of the world’s best breaks just steps away
- Artisan craftsmanship, including custom-made clay sinks, hammocks made from Spanish fishing nets, and birds’ nest lamps crafted by an artist neighbour.
- Absolute beachfront setting with direct views of the surf and close proximity to the rhythms of daily village life,
- The wonderful house manager, Tuqui, who looks after guests and curates each stay.
- A careful balance between private space and shared living, making it particularly well-suited to families or groups.
What to do at Al Suave House
Days at Al Suave can be as active or unstructured as you like.
Surfing is central, whether learning with local instructors or watching the breaks from the house. Walk to long-standing local spots for simple meals, try a pupusa-making session with staff, or visit small independent producers in town. There is also access to a separate wellness space for yoga, movement and cold plunge, with classes available every day, most of which can also be arranged privately at the house.
Experiences further afield range from coffee farm tastings to hiking the volcanic highlands. Things are best planned on the fly and around the weather, with the helpful house team on hand to arrange it all. Back at the house, dinner is prepared by a private chef or delivered through a secret door from the fantastic Natal restaurant on the other side of the house.
When to Travel
El Zonte can be visited year-round, with consistently warm temperatures and a laid-back coastal rhythm throughout the year. The dry season runs from November to April, bringing sunnier days and calmer sea conditions, while the green season from May to October sees occasional rain, usually in the afternoons, with fewer visitors. Surf conditions vary depending on the time of year, and plans are often best kept flexible, adjusting day by day based on the ocean and weather.
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Conde Nast Traveler Specialists every year since 2017
