OUR FACILITIES
Perched on 5+ acres (2.1 hectares) of serene mountainside, The Haven overlooks the breathtaking Douro River Valley. Its landscape unfolds in eight graceful terraces, cascading down the slope like steps into stillness, each offering a unique vantage point of natural beauty. Designed as a sanctuary of restoration, the walled and gated estate will be adorned with vibrant gardens and flourishing orchards, inviting guests into surroundings of peace, beauty, and refuge where they can wander, exhale, and allow their souls to find stillness.
Rest is integral to our philosophy.
We believe rest isn’t optional. It’s essential. It’s restorative. That’s why every guest residence is designed for complete independence. Occupants enjoy their own fully private quarters, including a complete kitchen, dining room, living room, bedrooms, and bathrooms. No shared lodging. No unexpected interruptions. No awkward small talk while reaching for your morning coffee.
As Michelle likes to say, “Everyone should be able to drink their coffee in their jammies.”
Sharing a living room with strangers is simply not as restorative as having your own. That’s why no other guests have access to your accommodation. Our team is committed to protecting your peace and privacy throughout your stay.
Guest Housing
Welcome to the ‘Great House,’ built with traditional granite blocks quarried nearby. The building is being fully reimagined…stripped down to make way for brand-new plumbing, electrical systems, flooring, windows, and doors. Thoughtfully redesigned layouts will offer greater comfort, beauty, and functionality, creating spaces that are truly a refuge for rest and renewal.
The top two floors will soon welcome guests into two beautifully appointed, self-contained accommodations. Each interior will feature a fully equipped kitchen and inviting living, dining, and sleeping areas designed for comfort, reprieve, and connection. Thoughtful touches like books and games for all ages, bicycles, toys, Wi-Fi, and television will make every stay feel both peaceful and memorable. Click the image to explore the layouts and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
As mentioned on the home page, the premises require considerable restoration before we can begin hosting guests, including transforming one building into guest housing and another into team residences. Exciting transfigurations are already underway in both buildings.
We are making every effort to reopen by early 2026. Renovations will continue in planned future phases. These will require periodic, brief pauses in guest availability to ensure that construction can take place without compromising the serenity that is the heart of The Haven experience.
These works include recasting the bottom floor of the Great House into a third guest residence, along with group domains for gatherings and retreats at the other end. Additional rooms for exercise, games, and art will be created in the outbuildings. A future phase also plans a makeover of the ‘Vacaria’ (dairy barn) to add two more guest quarters, bringing the total to five units. This expanded capacity will allow us to offer both short-term stays, as we did at our previous location, and longer stays for those needing extended time for rest and rejuvenation.
The Gardens
In addition to transforming the buildings, we will continue shaping the landscape into a restorative oasis. Global workers carry an immense need for therapeutic, soul-renewing outdoor atmospheres. This estate’s true treasure is the potential it offers for cultivating redemptive environments of both grandeur and seclusion in beauty. Spanning seven terraces, we will cultivate ‘whispers of Eden’ woven throughout: lush green areas, orchards, secret gardens, winding paths, and calming water features; all designed to quiet the heart while preserving the breathtaking views of the valley.
While most of the outdoor environment is shared, the property spans over four acres, giving you room to enjoy privacy when you wish—or to connect with other like-minded guests when your heart desires. Meandering paths and inviting seating areas offer spaces to spend time alone or with family, while outdoor dining opportunities create moments to gather and share.
Although we’re still in the early stages of working with a landscape architect, our vision is inspired by images like the ones below. The gardens will take shape in phases, unfolding over time.
