SOLAR BRANCO ECO ESTATE: OPENING MARCH 2023
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.
More from the eco estate
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.
The Pig Sty #1
The Ruin
The Whale Suite
RESTORED IN 2020
BUILT IN 1860
A 5 YEAR RESTORATION EFFORT: This was never going to be an easy restoration. With over 100 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.
The Ruin
The Gin Library
The Solar
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.
Children under 16 are allowed in The Gin Library.
Taste Baleia Gin
Free Gin Tasting
Gin Masterclass
SENHOR RAPOSAS SECRET DRINKING DEN
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.
Children under 16 are allowed in Senhor Raposas Secret Drinking Den.
Read More
Entrance
Hours
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.
Breakfast
Sushi and Gin
Vegan dinner
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.
Rain in the Azores
São Miguel Hikes
São Miguel Guide
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.
Foundation
Whale heritage
Make a difference
Rewilding The estate grounds
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.
Gardens
Hedgehog rescue
Save the bees
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.
Azores Foodie
Farmers Market
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. We did it. 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 Angel Fund, enabling us to do even more for the Azores and the community here on the islands.
Drawn by Lemon
Sushi by Joana
Baleia Bus: Ric
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 big, dreamy beds. Hike, run, read. Relax. Put your phone down. Laugh out loud. Dream. Enjoy life with those around you.