Villa Pedra
Villa Pedra are 10 old stone houses turned into beautiful holiday homes with a hotel-like service, a restaurant, individual gardens and the peace and tranquility of rural central Portugal.
The house is located in a natural reserve, which makes it a really magical place.
How would you describe Azores House in a nutshell?
Azores House is our family nest and the perfect spot to relax. It’s a project made out of love and resilience. Surrounded by greenery and overlooking the ocean, the house is located in Fajã do Calhau on São Miguel in the Azores.
What is the story behind Azores House, what was your inspiration to create it?
Azores House used to be a fisherman’s house and our family decided to give it a new lease on life as we are passionate about the Azores Islands. I was born on São Miguel and this was a family project, so it’s a pleasure to see it finally ready to welcome people from around the globe. So as not to interfere with the surrounding nature, we wanted to keep the design discreet and unobtrusive.
How would you describe the atmosphere and the interior design of Azores House?
Azores House is a super cosy house and the perfect place to slow down from daily life. It’s a place where you will find peace and quiet to rest and reconnect with both the natural world and yourself. We believe that less is more, so the house is designed with a minimalist approach.
To you personally, what is so special about Azores House?
My parents bought the house when I was just a baby and it was a place where we enjoyed weekends overlooking the ocean. It's located in a natural reserve, which makes it a really magical place, giving you an energy and aura of calmness.
Who is the architect of the house?
Azores House was designed by Fernando Monteiro from M-Arquitetos, an architecture studio that has been based in Ponta Delgada since 2009. He and his team are responsible for some of the most incredible villas and houses in São Miguel. Together with André Rocha, he helped to give the house its cosy feel and the design aspects we were looking for.
In front of the house is a big garden with breathtaking ocean views. On the front porch, you can enjoy an alfresco lunch or barbecue, with the kitchen just inside on your left. Here there is also a living room where you can rest, read a book or play board games.
Also on the first floor is the bathroom while upstairs is the one and only bedroom, which has an amazing view of the ocean. If you are lucky, you may see dolphins jumping out of the water.
Azores House is a fully-equipped house designed for couples and offers a comfy, modern space to relax after a day exploring the island. The kitchen features Smeg appliances and all of the tableware is by Costa Nova, a Portuguese brand. We also have high-speed internet powered by Starlink.
At Azores House, you can play board games, listen to music or just enjoy the sound of the sea and the “cagarros”, a native bird that is always in the area. The closest beach is right in front of our house and is perfect for a deep swim. Other options include the new harbour in Faial da Terra where you can jump into the crystalline waters.
I would recommend visiting the Terra Nostra Garden, trying “Cozido das Furnas” (a typical meal cooked underground using volcanic heat) and going to Poça da Dona Beija at night. This thermal paradise is located in Furnas and has water temperatures around 38 degrees Celsius. All of these places are within 30 kilometres of Azores House.
Azores House is located in Fajã do Calhau, a picturesque village known for its breathtaking ocean views and natural beauty. It enjoys a remote setting within a natural reserve, with the closest towns being Água Retorta and Povoação (10 and 15 minutes’ drive away). At Azores House, you can escape the pace and noise of city life while enjoying the silence and calm of nature.
To get to Azores House, you need to take a flight to Ponta Delgada and then drive about 80 kilometres to Fajã do Calhau where we are located. The house is positioned facing the ocean in the middle of endless greenery.
It may sound clichê, but the beauty of the Azores can be enjoyed at any time of the year. The archipelago has a unique microclimate, so if you travel in the summer, you can wake up to rain, enjoy lunch in the sunshine and end the day with a lot of wind. By this, I mean you can experience four seasons in one day and that’s quite magical. I think the best time to visit is from May to October (late spring to early autumn), although you can have a great time during the other seasons too.
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