PICO DO REFÚGIO
COUNTRY HOUSES
Pico do Refúgio has been renovated between October 2005 and August 2008. The project consisted on the remodulation of the farm infra-structure including the old tea factory. Now contain apartments for lodging, a scuba diving school and public spaces.
The renovation was performed preserving the exterior outline and original function of each building.
In this process were built the Country Houses of Pico do Refúgio, 8 houses ranging in between 55 and 110 m² spread around two different areas of the farm. These are either “Lofts” or “Apartments.
Animals:
- throughout the farm we have several domestic animals, including dogs, cats, chickens and cows;
- pets are not allowed.
The Main House and the Tea Factory
On the old tea factory “Ataíde”, you can find the Lounge as well as 3 Lofts and 3 Apartments. About 800 meters away, on the top of the hill (pico), near the main mansion, there are another 2 Lofts.
The Lofts are larger, with a high ceiling and can take up 2 extra beds. The Apartments are smaller houses that can take only 1 extra bed. All our houses have bathroom, kitchen and cable TV.
One of the Lofts is adapted for guests with locomotion disabilities.
The Lounge is fitted with TV, telephone, fax, photocopy, wireless internet and a meeting room with video projector.
In every houses there is pieces of art from various artists.
The History
The building of Pico do Refúgio was initiated somewhere in between the 16th and 17th centuries. However the oldest official document is the chapel construction permit, dating from 1750.
Thanks to its location and fortress like structure it came to play an important role in the vigilance against corsairs and fortress for militias.
The property has been used for cultivating many things including oranges trees and tea. The old factory of “Ataíde” still exists.
The azorian painter and writer, Luís Bernardo Ataíde, used it as a country house and later it was the home and inspiration ground of the sculptress, Luísa Constantina.
Lofts and Apartments
All our apartments and lofts are fitted with: private bathroom, kitchenette, woodburner, WI-FI and cable TV.
In the old tea factory, near the reception and the swimming pool
CASA DOS TABULEIROS (86m², 1 king-size bed or twin + 2 extra beds, 4 pax)
In this Loft there were originally no divisions, so it was decided to maintain its factory appearance, conserving it as a single open space. All dependencies are inserted in a central cube, maintaining an enormous notion of space. A large glazed arch allows light from the garden to invade the room, also providing an excellent view of the farm.
It has a king-size bed, convertible into 2 single beds, living room where 2 extra beds can be added, TV, WiFi, equipped kitchenette, bathroom with shower and on cold nights you can use the fireplace.
This accommodation was designed according to the rules for people with reduced mobility and has a direct door to the garden.
CASA DOS TAMBORES (98m², 1 king-size bed or twin + 2 single beds, 4 pax)
Loft of great proportions, with two wide divisions:
One with more than 6 meters of ceiling height, where the bedroom was placed on a mezzanine. There’s a king-size bed, convertible into 2 single beds. In this division there are 2 more single beds and a bathroom with shower.
In the second space, there's an equipped kitchenette open to the dining room and a living room with TV, WiFi and fireplace. Both rooms have direct access to the garden.
CASA DA CALDEIRA (55m², 1 king-size bed or twin, 2 pax)
This cozy apartment is ideal for a couple alone. It has 1 bedroom with king-size bed, convertible into 2 single beds, a living room with TV, WiFi and fireplace, equipped kitchenette and bathroom with bathtub.
The large arched window provides an excellent view of the garden and pool.
CASA DA SECAGEM (58m², 1 king-size bed or twin + 1 sofa-bed, 3 pax)
Casa da Secagem is a private apartment consisting of 1 bedroom with 1 king-size bed, convertible into 2 single beds, equipped kitchenette, living room with a sofa-bed, TV, WIFI, fireplace and bathroom with bathtub.