We opened our doors in the summer of 2012. We then started to design and build accommodations, and created an atmosphere where we ourselves would like to go to – light, air, space, privacy, enjoying nature, good food, coziness, and luxury. That is also the reason why we keep Vinha da Manta small and thus intimate, with a certain amount of exclusivity. We run the company ourselves, which means that everything is done to maintain our own high standards. We are constantly improving what we have created, and makimg it even better, year after year. The result of our efforts is reflected in the high ratings we receive on sites like TripAdvisor (Certificate of Excellence 2017) but also by being chosen as one of the “best holiday destinations 2015” according to The Guardian and one of the “30 best holiday spots 2016” according to The Sunday Times. Besides numerous small articles, we are extensively featured in two Dutch lifestyle magazines, the Seasons in August 2013 (8 pages) and the VT-Wonen in August 2016 (10 pages). For more information, see our Press page.
We are constantly seeking for a way to provide our guests the best holiday experience possible, and at the same time we have a clear ecological conscience. We combine “green” with luxury. We are committed to protecting the relationship with the land, the local community and the natural environment, which goes well with a luxurious, outdoor holiday. That is also the reason we have a natural pool, cleaned only by plants and with water better than from the average tap. Our own springs provide us with the purest of drinking water. We use local sustainable wood to build the platforms for the canvas lodges, and our fixtures and furnishings are designed in conjunction with the shapes and colours of the surrounding landscape. We grow as many of our own vegetables for our restaurant as possible (all organic), and source our honey, cheese, eggs, and milk locally whenever possible. Our fruit trees, vines, fig trees, and olive trees are also organic. Total darkness is now a real treat, so we try to minimize light pollution with soft solar lighting. These are all just examples of the first steps we are taking, small but durable ones, to be able to share a new way of seeing the world with our guests.