SOLAR BRANCO ECO ESTATE: LOW CARBON LUXURY
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 the big, dreamy beds. Hike, run, read. Relax. Put your phone down. Laugh out loud. Dream. Enjoy life with those around you.
Each month we release photos from the Eco Estate and our adventures around the island. Follow our work to restore the once abandoned buildings to be a leading eco luxury hotel. See the wildlife as it returns to our gardens and the colours change as the seasons impact on the landscape.
The Estate
Future plans: Rooms
The Gin Library
Events
Hotel Opening March-1 2023
Leading Eco Tourism in The Azores
The Solar Branco Eco Estate is more than a hotel. This is a place to breathe, take in the beauty of the surrounding Atlantic Ocean and enjoy the green hills of Sao Miguel.
From our 5 year restoration of the Solar, to the work to re-wild the gardens and restore the orange fruits once grown on this land, we would love you to visit and create your own memories here in the Azores.
Sustainability & Luxury
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.
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.
Bring your own bottle of craft gin and you and a guest will enjoy a complimentary Azorean Gin Tasting.
A perfect location on São Miguel
Step into a beautifully restored, Azorean mansion and estate, overlooking green hills to the ocean beyond.
Perfectly located within a 5-minute drive to the bustle of Ponta Delgada, the serenity of the beach at Populo and within easy reach of the town of Ribera Grande in the north of the island.
Ocean Azores Foundation
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.
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.
Just sit back, as 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.
Check out our delicious Vegan Volcano Dinner or our Sustainable Sushi Dinner here.
Foodies & Food lovers welcome
Eat slow. Eat local. Our focus here at The Solar Branco Eco Estate is to showcase the best produce from the Azores.
From the green lands that supply beef and vegetables to the bounty from the never ending blue Atlantic Ocean.
Read about the best restaurants with our insiders guide to São Miguel.
The Mother Vaca Collective (MVC)
Mother Vaca. Building a business from nothing isn’t easy. In the Azores it is even harder. We know. Our idea is about funding and supporting projects in the Azores that showcase the best of the islands through the people that live here. Think of this as The Solar Branco Eco Estate Venture Capital fund, enabling us to do even more for the Azores and the community here on the islands.
EVENTS & NEWS There is always something new happening on the eco estate. From renovating a hundred old country house, to our monthly events and sustainable programs we love living in the Azores and are keen to show you the best that the island of Sâo Miguel has to offer.
The eco estate is committed to sustainable projects, from leading the way in the Azores and the hospitality industry, to donating funds to Casa do Gaiato (Ponta Delgada’s Children’s home) as well as founding the Whale Heritage Site on Sâo Miguel, the first island in the Azores. Read more here.
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 the big, dreamy beds. Hike, run, read. Relax. Put your phone down. Laugh out loud. Dream. Enjoy life with those around you.