A Boutique Hotel Opportunity
for Hotel Operators
Primeira Vista Retreat offers a collaborative investment opportunity for hospitality operators and vendors looking to establish an eco-retreat in the Azores. The project centres on a 7-suite experiential hotel with a central hotel reception and a future pipeline of 16 branded villas. With key approvals secured and early works underway in our 36-month build timeline, the foundation is in place for investors to partner with us for the retreat’s next stage of development.
Primeira Vista Retreat
development has commenced
100% groundwork
complete
Environmental Approvals in Place
A positive growth trend in average daily rates is anticipated
Explore
Primeira Vista Retreat
Primeira Vista Retreat sits within the natural landscape of Santa Maria Island, overlooking São Lourenço Bay centred around a traditional homestead farm house. The site features elevated coastal views, natural vegetation and rich local experiences. It will include direct access to a private beach club, creating the setting for a distinctive, wellness hospitality experience. The vision is shaped and endorsed by Dr Cathy Davies, Aesthetic Doctor and shareholder, whose work in longevity and lifestyle medicine informs a retreat designed for restoration and balance.
Global trends are shifting toward high-yield, experiential retreats that prioritise authenticity, nature-driven stays and low-impact, flexible design. As the greenest island in the Azores, with rising demand and limited boutique supply, Santa Maria is well placed within this growing movement.
Built on sustainable design principles, this fully approved and licensed opportunity appeals to investors who care deeply about the environment and aspire to create a unique, exclusive hospitality development in the Azores.
Why
Invest?
- Tourism incentive: re-applied for and secured until 2030.
- Casa Reis, the traditional homestead, is already completed: an early milestone in our 36-month build timeline.
- Flexible hotel and villa design: for operators to align with their brand or service model.
- Full equity alignment across the project: including shared ownership in the hotel, participation in the branded-residences pipeline, and a stake in both the landholding and the development entity.
- Ideal for hospitality operators with Portuguese market expertise: offering a collaborative role in shaping and operating the retreat.
- Positioned in a growing island market: where small, experiential eco-retreats continue to outperform traditional hospitality segments due to the increasing demand for a nature driven experiences and authentic stays.
Guests arriving
to Azores
This growth reflects the Azores’ growing appeal to travellers seeking beautiful landscapes, space, authenticity, and wellness.
1.22 million in Jan – Oct 2024
1.27 million in Jan – Oct 2025
Up by
Overnight stays in Azores
Rising overnight stays signal a shift toward slower, more immersive travel, with visitors choosing to spend longer on the islands – typically up to 3 days per island and up to 2 weeks exploring the Azores.
4.05 mil in 2024 | 4.24 mil in 2025 | Up by
Average daily rate (€)
Rising daily rates indicate a strengthening value perception across the Azores, driven by limited boutique accommodation supply and growing demand for high-quality, experience-led stays.
€158 in 2024 | €163 in 2025 Up by
Azores Seasonal Occupancy and Average Daily Rate (€) in 2025
| Occupancy | Average Daily Rate (€) | Seasonal demand is balanced by strong daily rates even in the off-season and shoulder season, reinforcing a stable tourism market with clear income potential for investors. | |
| High Season | 90% | 210 € | |
| Shoulder Season | 60% | 170 € | |
| Low Season | 30% | 110 € |
Primeira Vista estimates 30% occupancy in Y1 and 48% in Y2. Estimated 10% IRR for investors over the first 5 years
Estimated 10% IRR for investors over the first 5 years
The Santa Maria
Advantage
Selective, experience-led demand
Santa Maria appeals to travellers who actively seek quieter islands and longer, intentional travel experiences, aligning naturally with retreat-style stays.
Limited boutique accommodation supply
The island offers a small number of design-led, eco-focused places to stay, creating a clear opportunity for thoughtfully positioned new retreats.
Value shaped by place, not scale
Here, value is shaped by landscape, privacy, and immersion, supporting strong daily rates without reliance on large-scale resort development.
Tap into
community operators
Primeira Vista Retreat has integrated the trades, specialties and local knowledge of the Santa Maria island community. This will create authentic experiences that Primeira Vista can tap into, with a variety of local operators and service providers, on its doorstep, including:
- Yoga Therapists
- Contract Catering & Chefs
- Taxi & Airport Transfers
- Food & Beverage Suppliers
- Fishing Charters
- Sailing Charters
- Mountain Bike Guides
- Massage Therapists
Santa Maria
island map
- Trails
- Beautiful sightings
- Eat wisely
- Community connection
The island features a lush, wide-ranging terrain from Pico Alto’s mountainous West to Vila do Porto’s Eastern plains. Key attractions include São Lourenço beach, cultural festivals, historical landmarks, and natural explorations.
Santa Maria grand trail tour:
– 17.1km trail
– 21.5km trail
– 16.5km trail
– 23.5km trail
