THE SOLAR BRANCO ECO ESTATE and EXPERIENCES company blends heritage, luxury and sustainability here on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. Take a moment and breathe in the clear Atlantic air as you walk through the citrus-inspired gardens, taking in the view looking majestically towards the ocean. Hideout, forage, think in peace. Enjoy this beautiful home, built over 100 years ago, lovingly restored with a focus on sustainability Sleep in the big, dreamy beds, hike, laugh, enjoy a G&T with freshly picked herbs. Put your phone down, laugh out loud and enjoy life with those around you.
HOME We aim to provide a home away from home, to people who travel, rather than just a roof over their heads. For us, the feeling of home can bring awareness of its importance when you are away from your own. It relies on the simplest of things, the warmth of materials, the smell of homemade bread, or the quiet in the room. Ours is a place for people who are on a journey, not just a holiday.
MEMORY Portuguese culture is strongly reflected in the house and surroundings. Honouring the Portuguese explorers and the trading route with England, we are restoring the orange grove with heritage trees, and taking the land back 150 years. At the same time, we are reinventing styles, details and ways of living, to connect the past, present and future. SIMPLICITY The design of your house is free from superficial and superfluous things, taking you back to your roots. Beauty relies on what is essential, in nature and the frailty of life, as well as in its imperfections, and to see it is to live intensively in space and moment, getting closer to happiness. Having less, to live more. LOCATION Close to the main city of Ponta Delgada, the capital city, but located on top of a hill, surrounded by peaceful farmland, overlooking the quaint town of Livramento and the ocean beyond.
SUSTAINABILITY. From the beginning of the project, we wanted our hotel to lead in the areas of sustainability, heritage and luxury. Our hotel combines Ali’s extensive background and knowledge from WWF with Caroline’s passion for nature and mindfulness. A firm belief that luxury and sustainability can be done without compromise is core to what we do. We are carefully restoring the buildings and the estate, respecting its history and breathing new life into it in preparation for a bright future. As a pioneer in Sustainable Tourism in the Azores, we have founded the Whale Heritage Azores initiative.
NATURE The connection with fauna and flora represents a key part of the Solar Branco Eco Estate. We invite you to take a walk around the grounds, to Shinrin Yoku classes which enable guests to step back from their fraught and fast-paced lifestyles, enjoying the calm, serenity and peace that comes from connecting with nature. LOCAL We believe that travelling can be an extraordinary and life-changing experience if you connect to the surroundings and local culture. With that in mind, our houses reflect the history of the estate and the surroundings of the Azores. Our experiences aim to highlight and support the local economy. We hope to inspire you and enable you to leave your mark on our wall of memories to revisit one day…
PHILOSOPHY Our message is simple: “Breathe in the clear Atlantic air as you take in the view. Hideout, forage and think in peace. Put your phone down, laugh out loud and enjoy life with those around you. Create memories, and return one day to the Azores to revisit them.”