Senhor Miguel at The Gin Library – See more from our monthly photos
SOLAR BRANCO ECO ESTATE
OPENING SPRING 2023
A leading Eco Sustainable Hotel in the Azores
Solar (Portuguese) / noun-PORTUGUESE: Meaning: Large country house. Branco (Portuguese) /branco, brancura/ Adjective–PORTUGUESE: White.
Breathe in the clear Azorean Atlantic air as you walk through the citrus-inspired gardens. Take in the view over green hills to the ocean beyond. Hideout, forage, think in peace. Enjoy this beautiful heritage home, built over 100 years ago, lovingly restored and brought back to life. Sleep in big, dreamy beds. Hike, run, read. Relax. Put your phone down. Laugh out loud. Dream. Enjoy life with those around you.
OPENING FOR SPRING 1 2023: We hold a firm belief that luxury and sustainability can be done without compromise is core to what we do. Each house ensures privacy and distance. Bring the outdoors inside with views of the surrounding countryside. Breathe in the clear air of the Atlantic Ocean, just 5 minutes from the capital city of Ponta Delgada.
Stay In a Home. Not a Hotel
OPENING FOR MARCH 1 2023: We hold a firm belief that luxury and sustainability can be done without compromise is core to what we do.
Each house ensures privacy and distance. Bring the outdoors inside with views of the surrounding countryside. Breathe in the clear air of the Atlantic Ocean, just 5 minutes from the capital city of Ponta Delgada.
Please note: Babies / Children under 16 are NOT allowed on the estate grounds.
RESTORED IN 2020
BUILT IN 1860
A 5 YEAR RESTORATION EFFORT: This was never going to be an easy restoration. With over 150 years of history to protect. A project to breathe new life into the estate was born in 2018. Each building has a history, started with the citrus trade in the 1800s. Abandoned and unloved it is now coming back with a new lease of life as a boutique eco hotel.
The gardens will take 5 more years to restore, regrow and regenerate to their own glory. Supporting the space with food for both guests and the wildlife that lives here on São Miguel.
CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT RESERVATIONS
Food & Drink
Europe’s Largest Gin Collection
Enjoy our award winning Baleia Azorean Gin as you learn about the history of all things juniper at The Gin Library. Or taste on the gins on display, choosing from over 600 in the collection. Or bring your own bottle of craft gin and you and a guest will enjoy a complimentary Azorean Gin Tasting.
STRICTLY ADULTS ONLY: Guests visiting Senhor Raposas Secret Drinking Den are not permitted to bring babies or children under 16.
THE GREEN PANTRY
Sustainable Gastronomy comes to the Azores. Enjoy our slow eating philosophy. A private dining experience with no rush to eat, no fussy service interrupting you. Take time to enjoy the food and the company. Breathe. Laugh. Look out over the green landscape of São Miguel to the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
SUSHI: CHEF JOANA
Sustainable Sushi – Omakase. Chef Joana has the reputation as one of the best sushi chefs in the Azores. Born in Rabe da Peixe, where the fish is landed. She has been around fish her entire life. Let her serve you the most season, fresh and sustainable seafood. For vegetarians or vegans, she also has a version to suit you (but this must be ordered at the time of booking.)
SENHOR RAPOSA
Journey back to 1860. upon his return to the Azores, Senhor Raposa would share stories of his adventures around the world in his secret drinking den. Special drinks and cocktails would be enjoyed late into the evening.
The only way to discover the secret drinking den is to be invited by Senhor Raposa himself.
CLUCKINGHAM PALACE
Guest are welcome to enjoy some of our free range, organic eggs from the residents of Cluckingham Palace, home to our free-range chickens at the Solar Branco Eco Estate. You are also welcome to Join us for a morning visit, and see what eggs are available.
STRICTLY ADULTS ONLY. GUESTS VISITING THE ESTATE ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BRING BABIES OR CHILDREN UNDER 16.
BALEIA GIN
From the ocean. For the ocean. Baleia Gin was created by co-owner of The Solar Branco Eco Estate, Ali Bullock. Distilled in the Azores, with local seaweed as the base botanical. €2 from the sale of each bottle is donated to The Ocean Azores Foundation.
Experiences
PERFECT G&T
GIN MASTERCLASS
GIN FLIGHT
WINE TASTING
Sustainability
Low Carbon Luxury
We believe in leading the way in the Azores in the area of sustainable tourism. We know that everything we do impacts on the environment. But we believe we can reduce our impact through simple, significant and careful steps. Our initiatives include a complete ban on single-use plastic and pesticides and our aim to be a zero food waste property. In the gardens we have 3 dedicated wildlife ponds for frogs and local birds.
Ocean Azores
We believe in leading the way in the Azores in the area of sustainable tourism. Our work will always be ongoing on the estate and beyond as we grow our mission and the work of the foundation to protect the ocean that surrounds the Azores.
The Ocean Azores Foundation looks to fund ocean based research and conservation projects based on all islands of the Azores.
Rewilding
Our dream began in 2018 to restore the estate gardens and grounds to their eighteenth century glory. With over 1,000 plants and trees going into the Estate grounds over a 5 year rewilding project. We hope that this initiative will boost plans for community regeneration in the area of Livramento, including nature-based tourism opportunities.
We look forward to showing you around the grounds as you stay with us.
NEWS
EDITORS PICKS & NEWS
November 2022
November brings the cooler weather with a real chill in the air as well as shorter days, but with some beautiful sunsets. The tourists on the island seem to fall as quickly as the leaves
October 2022
October in the Azores brings cooler weather and shorter days, but still plenty of sunshine and some occasional rain. Now is the month that we start planting our fruit trees and cutting back some other
September 2022
September in the Azores has been hot and dry. Only in the last few days has the weather started to cool. The Gin Library has been full and we are now close to 650 gins
Perfect location
Your Hosts
EVENTS
A Perfect Day
Make your day as unique as you are here at the Eco Estate. Enjoy a special day as you look over the green hills to the never ending blue Atlantic Ocean. The Baleia Bus is available for private hire (such as birthdays and weddings.) Please contact us for a quote to hire the bus.
Xmas Tree
Christmas in the Azores. In the winter of 2019, As the sun began to set over the hills opposite, and with 3 km of lights, Christmas came to the Azores. We hope to light it up again in 2023.
The Baleia Bus
Baleia Gin on the go. You asked for the best gin and tonics to be served around the island. And we are pleased to announce we are delivering. Join us in all the best spots, overlooking the ocean to the marina and enjoy a Baleia & Tonic.
LOW CARBON LUXURY Breathe in the clear Azorean Atlantic air as you walk through the citrus-inspired gardens. Take in the view over green hills to the ocean beyond. Hideout, forage, think in peace. Enjoy this beautiful heritage home, built over 100 years ago, lovingly restored and brought back to life. Sleep in big, dreamy beds. Hike, run, read. Relax. Put your phone down. Laugh out loud. Dream. Enjoy life with those around you.