Natural coastal landscape meets modern luxury

Overlooking the grand beach of Santa Barbara, Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort, the Azores’ first ecologically-friendly eco-beach resort was opened in 2015. It began with a passion for the natural black beaches along the picturesque northern coast of São Miguel in the Azores. The unique, almost magical, green pastures and mountain hues that contrast with the azure blue oceans are the ideal backdrop for a calming resort retreat. The inviting natural coastal landscape, the elegance of the modern luxury spaces and the commitment to a full-range of experiences epitomizes the passion for the art of hospitality, nature and, above all, the Azores.

The resort is dedicated to sustainability:  The architecture and luxury amenities, the Farm-to-Table supply chain, environmental support and energy/water efficiency programs were constituted to reduce the ecological impact, maintain the natural beauty and environmental balance of the coastal ecosystem.

Architecture in harmony with natural surroundings

The resort’s architectural design and the choice of materials were selected to blend harmoniously with natural surroundings. The minimalist architecture was adjusted to the morphology of the land, in order to minimize its impact on the natural landscape. This was enhanced by the use of natural building materials sourced locally or nationally, such as the islands’ cryptomeria, exotic bamboos and domestic cork that built on the simple natural setting.

Construction of the Santa Bárbara resort prioritized the use of natural materials, primarily the use of local wood (cryptomeria), cork and bamboo, and infused decorative elements that callback to traditional Azorean motifs and accents. Santa Bárbara’s furniture was designed and built exclusively for the resort. Other decorations were made from repurposed materials, such as lamps which were made from oil containers of an abandoned farm, and the restaurant chairs and tables which were made from reused iron and covered with vegetable fiber, using matting crafts.

Moments of well-beeing

Santa Bárbara has several spaces where you can peacefully relax. The outdoor decks facing the sea are arranged in different corners, with chairs where you can simply sit and contemplate all the surrounding nature. Take a dip in the pool or go down to the beach. In the restaurant / bar you can dine or simply try one of the snacks, cocktails and gins. You can also relax at our Wellness Retreat and book a massage for a moment of pure pleasure and relaxation – with the sound of the sea as your background music. You can choose from 14 studios, 7 one bedroom villas and 9 two bedroom villas, all elegantly furnished with a small equipped kitchenette, a stylish living space and a spacious balcony that allows visitors to observe, contemplate and relax to the coastal breeze.

From-farm-to-table takes you to an oriental journey

Santa Bárbara offers a gastronomic concept that will take you through an oriental journey from India to Japan, in an unexpected discovery of exotic spices and authentic flavors. All this with the necessary praise for the quality of local products – which includes Azorean meat, fresh fish and seafood from the Atlantic, alongside the freshest vegetables, aromatic herbs and fruits that now arrive from our farm installed on the property, with two greenhouses and an approximate area of ​​4000m2. A way to guarantee a zero kilometer products and extra quality in a true “farm to table” concept.

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Best Room – Retreat Villa

Retreat Villas offer the most exclusive comfort in the Resort and a magnificent view you can enjoy from your private jacuzzi on the terrace. You can choose from a studio, a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom villa

UNDERSTATED LUXURY MEETS CYCLADIC CHIC

Verina Terra is located in Platys Gialos in the middle of an olive garden, just a few steps away from one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Sifnos.

Discover a wonderful mix of “local & hip” and tranquility and Greek flair: the young team and the sandy beach right in front of the door, a good selection of restaurants, taverns, cafes and beach bars and high quality food and entertainment

Greek design reinterpreted

Local inspired architecture, combined with luxury, design and the highest quality standards, create the ultimate vacation ambience. Light colors, simple design with many natural materials and a very pleasant room layout convey understated, contemporary elegance. The Verina Terra is a small hideaway: 11 aesthetic rooms and apartments in natural earth colors, combined with white and details in marble. The pool with the bar is the ideal place to live moments of relaxation and light-heartedness, enjoying the best summer cocktails.

Authentic hospitality

Breakfast and daily snacks are largely sourced from the hotel’s own garden – and are even served poolside.

Best Room – Klima

The 90 m² family apartment with 2 bedrooms with private garden and terrace is located a bit away from the hotel complex.

Where the stars are within reach

In the boutique hotel Verina Astra you have the feeling of becoming one with the Aegean Sea and its endless expanses. The hotel is located on a hill in Poulati, directly above the Panagia tis Poulatis Church, viewing the picturesque village of Kastro. Thanks to breathtaking panoramic views and enchanting nights on the island, the stars over Sifnos are within reach from the Verina “Astra” – which means “stars” in Greek.

Incredible views, breathtaking tranquility and exceptional privacy

The total of 16 rooms and suites are named after constellations and are set amid romantic gardens. The private terraces and infinity pool offer stunning views of the sea, which merges with the horizon to form a seemingly endless blue. The hotel’s design is minimalistic and understated in a Cycladic style. An exceptional and unique combination of traditional architecture and modern design elements that blend harmoniously with the natural environment. Organic materials such as natural stone, ceramics and flowing linen fabrics create a calm and cozy atmosphere.

Mediterranean with a twist

Seasonality and regionality are top priorities at Verina Astra. The Mediterranean cuisine relies primarily on fresh ingredients sourced from the surrounding Sifnos area and from their own organic cultivation. The cuisine combines the local culinary heritage and traditional dishes with today’s modern approaches. Sophisticated combinations of food from the sea and land make the stay on the Greek Cyclades Island unique.

Best Room – Norma & Indus

Relax and enjoy your private stay in one of the brand new pool suites. Isolated from the rest of the hotel complex, the suites Norma and Indus have private infinity pools with spacious indoor and outdoor areas, a large veranda with a pergola and an incredible sea view.

Surrounded by Nature

ZASH Country Boutique Hotel is a boutique hotel where guests rediscover a time where they live in another dimension, made of slow gestures, new visions and mysterious voices: zash, splash, cucù, crag, ciuf, druum, pluf – the instinctive and hidden sounds of nature. To be surrounded by the volcano stones and scents of orange blossom, then all is quiet. It is the pleasure of life.

Elegant, slow and silent

The aim of the design concept of the architect Antonio Iraci and Carla Maugeri was that elegant historical fragments meet the contemporary. The 17 rooms which include 8 suites, bring out the physicality of nature respecting the traces of the past. The majesty of Mount Etna and the transparency of the sea are the two strong contrasts that join together in the micro territories of this splendid side of Sicily.

This concept is carried through to the culinary experiences of the hotel. The Zash Restaurant is located where time has stopped: a special cozy intimate space. Where wine was fermenting in the old days, guests can experience the slow dimension of tastes, space and times. The Chef Giuseppe Raciti and his team mix creativity, tradition and territory to create the one star Michelin cuisine.

Inside the Nature at Zash there is the Zash’s nature: a retreat for contemporary wellbeing. Experience the outdoor pool with Etna view or the silent lemon garden. The pool is made of Etna lava stone, strong and powerful. Bare feet touch the water and feel the wood, while the warmth of intimate spaces meets the local aromas. At the Zash’s Spa area guests can immerse themselves in the nature with a yoga class at the orange garden or have a massage, nothing is left to chance.

In this intimate and private retreat, the combination of Mediterranean and volcanic influences will make the relaxing experience unique.

Best Room – Pool Villa Spa

The Pool Villa Spa express the concept of the Country Boutique Hotel at the fullest. The 40m2 suite is separated from the main building and offers absolute privacy with a terrace with private bath and an exclusive view of the Etna and the sea. The green design is amplified by the natural extension created by the glass walls and citrus grove around.

Red Palazzo in the “White City” of Ostunia

History paired with elegance and an eclectic antique design meets contemporary touches and global elements from Africa and India. The one of a kind hotel Paragon 700 convinces with jaw dropping interior design and exceptional service. The original Palazzo Rosso from 18th century, once the residence of the city’s mayor, are now the hallow halls of Paragon 700. Architect and Interior Designer, Pascale Lauber, tried to maintain the original details, such as the red stones, the high ceilings and frescoes. In combination with the unique selected décor and special attention to details in every corner, the Palazzo turned into a luxurious hotel.

Exclusive oasis

This quintessentially Puglian property has been restored to boast 11 individually curated rooms including 7 suites with a cosmopolitan soul. Standing in stark contrast to the whitewashed buildings of Ostuni, Paragon 700’s red brick façade cocoons a lush garden, a swimming pool and a rare green space in the heart of the city, offering a tranquil and exclusive oasis. Revel in relaxation in the 7 meters below ground spa at the Paragon 700, with a hydromassage basin, a steam bath , an emotional shower and a relaxing lounge clad in Himalayan salt walls to enhance an inclusive wellness experience.

Apulian gourmet cuisine

In the truest sense of the word, local products from local farmers, respect for the seasons as well as the variety of tastes have top priority in the Restaurant 700. You can taste that. Not without reason their Apulian gourmet style cuisine is included in the Michelin Guide. A typical Italian aperitif, a glass of local wine or a signature cocktail, created by Mixologist experts, can be enjoyed at the Lounge Bar 700. During summer and hot days in the city the Pool Bar provides instant leisure.

Best Room – Paragon Suite

One of a kind, the 55 sqm Paragon suite features 7m high cathedral ceilings, a sunken bathtub and a grand open fireplace in the bedroom. Two doors are leading to a large terrace with garden and pool view, with sun loungers for moments of relaxation. The sumptuous atmosphere and the outstanding interior design absolutely captivates you while you enjoy the absolute privacy and tranquility in your own palace room.

Reading pleasures in a dreamlike setting

A house that is completely dedicated to books, listening, reading, reading aloud, writing and thinking in connection with dialogue and play – the Hallstatt Hideaway Mountain | Lesehotel.

This place of longing with a view over the Hallstättersee and Dachstein glacier offers retreat to all who at the same time feel safe in the scent and silence of the forest. 12,000 books in 20 rooms, stocked with new publications from 20 publishers, provide a constant flow of inspiration and happiness. Because reading makes you happy and healthy. Who among us is not assailed by attention-fracking and longs for effortless concentration? At the “Predigstuhl” in the heart of the Salzkammergut, this can be easily achieved. Sustainability is the top priority here: the cooking is vegan, vegetarian – and with fish and meat on request. Extensive hiking and mountain biking routes start directly at the hotel, climbing tours can be started directly behind the house. Mental training and nutritional coaching can be booked as well as massage and yoga classs.

Arrive, take off your shoes and feel the oak floor barefoot, fall into one of the comfortable reading chairs and let your gaz wander to the horizon. Because here you can do one thing above all: bathe in a sea of books and simply do nothing!

Best Room – Surhkamp Suite

In the Suhrkamp Suite you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Lake Hallstatt and the Dachstein Glacier. Float at the highest point of the house and enjoy the exclusive balcony across the entire width of the room. Your stay will be a unique pleasure thanks to the new publications of the Suhrkamp publishing house! Thanks to the ergonomically shaped backrest of the Plug&Play reading bed, you can let yourself be read to for hours and enjoy your breakfast, snacks and excellent wine in your suite.

A royal place in Lisbon

The charming and romantic palaces will steal your heart. Be Queen or King for a day in the historic Torel Palace Lisbon boutique unit. With their luscious gardens and a stunning view over the city of Lisbon guests can experience the city of Lisbon in the way of royals.

Torel Palace Lisbon is one of the latest wonders of Lisbon’s seven hills. Consisting of two mansions built in 1902 and 1904, it combines different histories in one. The main building was a private residence, while the other was the Bishop of Lisbon’s former guesthouse. In 2019, these two buildings were joined by a modern apartment building. The outer courtyards decorated with a flower garden make the colors of the buildings stand out.

The overall renovation respected the characteristics of the architecture and kept the details of the old rooms, stairs, floors and gardens. Isabel Sá Nogueira, the designer of the Torel Palace in Lisbon, invited to give the interior areas of the unit a new set of clothes. The objective was to create spaces that were unforgettable, functional and comfortable and that create a unique and inimitable atmosphere. An atmosphere that could reflect the past while creating new memories for those who experience them. This set of historic mansions needed an appropriate theme, and with the Portuguese Kings and Queens, it was quickly found.

Rooms for Kings and Queens

The décor of the 31 rooms and apartments is a mix of past and present, creating an atmosphere full of charm and personality. The rooms remind of the comfort of home, but with an elegant atmosphere that together with simplicity of the details underlines traditional Portuguese style, united with modern and contemporary touches.

All of the Rooms at the boutique unit are designed individually. The unit wanted to create a warm and sophisticated atmosphere while mixing modern amenities with the history of Portugal. At the private gardens or from the pool, guests have a breathtaking view over the city. Honoring the royals of Portugal, the unit gave the name of the Portuguese Kings and Queens to all of the rooms. In the pink building, each room is named after Queens, the name of the Portuguese Kings were given to the rooms of the blue building and the rooms in the white building were named after houses of the monarchy.

Portuguese culinary experience

The unit has one restaurant called Terraço 23 which provides an informal open-air experience that is ideal for when the weather is fine and has a Winter Garden for an indoor experience.

Best Room – Dona Amélia

The light and spacious Royal Room “Dona Amélia“, in sapphire-blue, is a room truly fit for a royal visitor. With its large windows guests have views to the Castelo de São Jorge, on one side and to the city on the other. The room features a Queen-size bed which makes the room the perfect honeymoon suite.

A home for writers and poets

A five-star poets palace, a writers shelter, a travelers favorite story housed in a stunning historic mansion: The new five star hotel Torel Palace Porto. The hotel was opened in 2020 and is the exclusive address for travelers seeking an elegant, exclusive and unique experience in the heart of Porto with a historic touch and a modern interpretation.

A palace with a historic history

The hotel is a completely renovated townhouse from Porto. The original Palacete Campos Navarro was built in 1861 and is one of the most impressive and distinguished examples of the romantic architecture in Porto. During the renovation, the hotel tried to keep the details, features and the history of the stunning old house. The greatest highlight of the architecture is the amazing skylight called Claraboia.

Honouring iconic Portuguese writers and poets

The portraits on the ornate ceilings in the rooms on the first floor set the tone for the hotel’s concept: literature. This is how the hotel and its 24 individually designed rooms and suites, pay homage to famous Portuguese men and women of literature. All over the hotel, literature and books from famous authors can be found. From the common areas, at the rooms, to the reception and the restaurant. Especially old ones, can be found on side tables, in niches and most visibly on the library ceiling – an installation where the books appear like stars. In addition, every Room at the Torel Palace which was designed by Isabel Sá Nogueira was named after a Portugese writer or poet.

For the ones who want to relax, the Calla Wellness Suite offers guests a Menu with body and facial beauty and relaxation treatments. At the BLIND’s restaurant the culinary proposition is deeply rooted in the chef’s memories and Portuguese ingredients with a strong international connection, an expertise that values technical excellence, seasonality and the origin of the produce.

Best Room – Fernando Pessoa & Eça de Queiroz

The two Royal Suites „Fernando Pessoa“ and „Eça de Queiroz“ with their rich ornamental stucco ceilings and handcrafted doors give with almost 60 m2 enough space for the traveler who likes to enjoy the privacy and beauty of his room. The modern bathrooms placed in the middle of the room with mirrors reflecting the environment add a spectacular and unusual design touch to the experience.

Porto’s extravagant boutiquehotel

The award-winning hotel Torel Avantgarde is Porto´s sexiest five-star hotel. It’s a place for the traveler who seeks the extravagant and the extraordinary art of Portugal. The building’s origins date back to the 1940s when “creativity” in its broadest sense was the watchword. Art at the time was no longer seen merely as a complement but as the focus. The break with what came before and the championing of anti-traditional art forms and new frontiers of experimentalism inspired the artists of this generation and marked an era of artistic excellence. Inspired by this era, the Torel Avantgarde welcomes you with its museum–like experience in complete harmony with the comfort and detail characteristic of the Torel Boutiques. The aim behind the approach was not just to emphasize the country’s virtues, but also to challenge guests’ senses – they are invited to live, sense and experience art.

30s inspired interior design

Also the design of the hotel’s interiors was inspired by the Avantgarde years. It was planned by Isabel Sá Nogueira, who was responsible for designing the common areas, and by Paula Vasconcellos and Francisca Navio, from Nano Design, who styled all of the hotel’s bedrooms. All of the 49 rooms and suites of the hotel are designed individually. In addition, all of the rooms got a specific name after famous Avantgarde artists, from the field of design, literature or architecture. The design of each room reflects the personality and vision of the artists the room is named.

At Torel Avantgarde guests can find the Calla Wellness & Spa with two treatment rooms for facial and body beauty and relaxation treatments, one gym fully equipped and one Turkish bath. Tenro by Digby is the hotel’s restaurant where meat is the main protagonist at the menu. It features product from seven native Portuguese breeds and what sets Tenro apart from a steakhouse is the cuts of meat and the pieces used as well Tenro by Digby offers fresh Portuguese fish.

Best Room – Leonardo da Vinci, Coco Chanel & Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

One of the best rooms of Torel Avantgarde was named after the famous artist “Leonardo da Vinci“. The Royal Suite has around 50 m² and a spacious terrace with amazing views over the Douro where you can literally feel the spirit of Da Vinci. If one prefers fashion and music over art, the two Deluxe Suites „Coco Chanel“ and „Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart“ with their own private bathtubs would be the perfect room for a stay in Porto.

A luxury stay in the heart of Porto

The award-winning Torel 1884 palace in the heart of Porto is dedicated to explorers who seek more than just a room key. Torel 1884 offers 12 rooms and suites at the main building. Not far at the Rua das Flores, the property offers 11 more apartments for an authentic stay in the city of Porto. To make it the best stay in Porto possible guests can enjoy self-service cocktails at the honesty bar on the top floor, as well as experience the Portuguese culinary in the Bartolomeu Bistro & Wine. A very intimate and elegant space, where it’s served typical Portuguese specialties.

The history of Porto reflected by the hotel

The boutique hotel has an interesting history, as the stunning building was built in 1884. The palace’s grandeur – with its magnificent windows, spacious rooms, high ceilings, elegant staircase and fabulous crowning skylight – demanded a superlative theme. The one chosen was that of the cultural diversity of the faraway lands. The concept is inspired by the exotic discoveries which Portugal’s mariners made along the sea and trading routes they followed. Many of the materials and products found in these distant lands, including pepper, porcelain, coffee and silk, continue to be a part of the Portuguese lives and culture today.

Unique architecture

The architectural project was the work of Miguel Nogueira, a Portuguese architect. The interiors were conceived by Nano Design and features the work of the artists Jorge Curval and João Pedro Rodrigues. The remit was to enhance the architectural beauty of the building, with the theme of the cultural diversity of the voyages of discovery evident throughout. Close attention has been given to every detail, with bespoke wooden fittings, the showcasing of the traditional art of handmade tassels, and a decorative finishing which gives each room a personalized touch, while using Portuguese suppliers and artisans whenever possible.

Best Room – Solomon

For a luxury summer escape the Junior Deluxe Suite “Solomon” guarantees a special experience. With its private patio and a Jacuzzi nothing stands in the way of relaxation. Enjoy your stay at the Torel 1884 at the highest way of luxury.