My wife and I spent four incredible days with Francisco and his wife, Lucilia . First, from when you enter the courtyard of this 1734 Manor, you feel like you were walking into the past. Francisco is one of the most respected historians of the island. The Manor has been painstakingly restored to its original glory, but with the subtle incorporation of all the modern amenities you would want, updated electric, plumbing , AC etc. The furnishing, all hand picked, reflect the building's history. The entire renovation creates a combination of modern comforts while maintaining, as Francisco puts it, " the Manor's soul " The courtyard, with ducks, chickens and cats, is a great place to relax or have a picnic dinner of local fare and wine after a day of touring. Breakfast was a real treat. Not just for the food, which was all locally sourced , but for the opportunity to speak with and learn from Francisco and Lucilia. By the time our stay was over, we felt like family. A truly unique experience !…
This place is owned by the director of the local museum. It is unique in many ways. If you like to learn about local history, every morning for breakfast, you'll will be sitting like we did with probably one of the local masters of Terceira Island, Some days, it was 11 am and we were still talking. We had forgotten everything around us.
This is very different from a hotel. It is a beautiful and historic farmhouse. My girlfriend and I spent a lot of time wandering around the grounds, admiring the fruit trees, chickens, ducks and the three lovely cats. In the mornings we had the same breakfast that everyone else raves about. The hosts keep everything local. There were samples of cheeses from the different islands, real freshly squeezed orange juice from nearby orange trees, freshly baked cakes and pies made on the premises, Portuguese meats, fresh bread and more. Also at breakfast, we would have long conversations with Francisco, the host. He is a historian and an archaeologist, and he grew up on the island. There is no finer resource for learning about the Azores. It was very enjoyable. We were there during a festival week, which was very exciting. When they were running bulls in the village we didn't know where we could find a safe place to watch. Francisco brought us to his friend's house where we could watch safely from behind a wall. That was very generous of him. In general, while staying at Quinta do Espirito Santo, there is a feeling of good will. The hosts are lovely people who strive to provide their guests with an enriching experience, and not simply a place to sleep. Highly recommend.…
I had a wonderful stay at the Quinta. Francisco and Lucilia were gracious hosts, and Francisco was very helpful before I even arrived, as I tried to plan my Azorean itinerary. I enjoyed leisurely breakfasts with them, talking and learning about Azorean life and also enjoying delicious local cheeses, bread, etc. The property is charming and a delight to spend some time in - there are many animals (cats, ducks, chickens) who are very friendly and make you feel right at home. They helped to arrange a rental car (highly recommended) at a very reasonable rate and provided good suggestions on things to see and do. It's quite close to Angra and easy to use as a base to explore the rest of Terceira. Each room has its' own history and conveys the wonderful Azorean culture and hospitality. As much as I loved Terceira and the Azores, staying here really made this visit extra special. Obrigada, Francisco and Lucilia!…
Staying at Quinta Do Espírito Santo was a wonderful, enriching experience. The hosts, Lucilia and Francisco, are charming, extremely helpful and generous with their time, knowledge and home. They provided a travel folder to all the guests with maps, hikes, places of interest and information on festivals. Francisco is a wealth of knowledge and curates the Museu de Angra de Heroismo. Lucilia actually baked the most delicious breads in the 18th century built-in clay oven for the guests along with traditional orange cake and a grand selection of 5 Azorian cheeses, homemade preserves, proscuitto and the best coffee/expresso. The breakfasts with hosts and the other international guests were inspiring. We had the opportunity to converse and trade travel information and recommendations with the hosts and other guests. We were encouraged to enjoy the spacial grounds. Most special was the interaction with the cats, chickens, ducks, geese and their adorable dog Bechash (sp). We highly recommend renting from Quinta do Espirito Santo if you want to immerse yourself in all things Azorian. It is a singularly unique and rich place to live, if only for a short while.…
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Listing