Can you tell us something about yourself and your family, including names, ages, and where you live? Additionally, can you tell us the names of your accommodations?

Marta: My name is Marta Fonseca, and together with my partner Gonçalo Alves, we are the proud owners of both Areias do Seixo and Noah Surf House. We live in Santa Cruz, Portugal, and this beautiful place is not only our home but also the location of our accommodations.

Could you tell us a bit more about yourself? For example, your interests, leisure time, work, family, and vacations?

Marta: I have a huge passion for music and enjoy walking in nature around Santa Cruz. My favorite place to visit is Cape Verde. Besides Santa Cruz, that’s where I feel most at home, as my mother's family is from there, making me feel connected to my roots.

Gonçalo: I am a surfer, which means I am addicted to the ocean. My favorite place in the world is the Southwest coast of Portugal, the Costa Vicentina, where I love to surf and connect with nature. For years, I have spent my vacations here. Furthermore, when I travel, I prefer nature over cities and urban life.

When and how did this project come into your life, and what motivated you to make it a part of your life?

Marta and Gonçalo: We started in 2003 with the idea for the Areias do Seixo project, began construction in 2006, and opened our doors in 2010. We wanted to create a place in the same area where we grew up, because we have such beautiful and happy memories here. We wanted to offer others the same experiences. This has been our beach for as long as we can remember… This is our favorite spot in the world.

We have always felt that we were hospitable, from our youth to now as adults. We enjoyed hosting gatherings with family and friends at our home. The idea of hospitality has always been a part of us. Ultimately, we wanted to take this on a larger scale, and thus the idea for a project that would be an extension of our own home, but with the capacity to welcome people from all over the world, was born.

At Noah, we had the same goal, but we wanted the guest experience to be more focused on surfing and the ocean. Noah is more active and sporty, while Areias do Seixo offers a quieter and more peaceful experience. Noah took about two years from the moment we conceived the idea to its opening in 2018. Both projects reflect our lifestyle, passions, interests, and values.

Can you tell us more about the process of renovating and furnishing your accommodations?

The location of Areias do Seixo was once a neglected site with old ruins from a bird breeding ground. The area had been abandoned for a long time and was even used as a dump. Nearby dunes were also damaged by construction companies that were extracting sand. With our project, we wanted to restore the natural environment. When we demolished the old ruins, we reused the materials for our own construction – we consider this our first sustainable measure.

Noah Surf House used to be a summer camp where local children, including our own kids, spent their vacations. Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair and was no longer used. When we got the chance to transform this into an accommodation project, we were incredibly excited. Once again in Santa Cruz, a magical place with a stunning view of the ocean.

What makes your accommodations really special to you on a personal level? Are there moments or memories that make them particularly dear to you?

We consider both Areias do Seixo and Noah Surf House as our own homes. We spend most of our time here, and our team feels like an extension of ourselves. What makes our accommodations truly special is the way we welcome our guests. We ensure they feel at ease, listen to them, share personal conversations, and create moments of connection. It’s about helping people enjoy the simple things we often forget in our daily lives.

In short, what makes our accommodations special are the people behind them.

What is your favorite spot in your accommodation, and why?

At Areias do Seixo, it is undoubtedly the Circle of Fire. It has something magical about it. It’s the perfect place to watch the fiery sunset, then see the stars and the moon rise, with the warmth of the campfire while someone plays guitar and you enjoy a glass of wine… It brings everyone together and you truly feel a connection with each other.

At Noah, we choose the rooftop terrace. For the same reason: the spectacular view and the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

What sustainable or eco-friendly measures have you taken that you are proud of?

Marta and Gonçalo: Fortunately, we have already taken many actions and measures of which we are proud, as can be seen in the following links:

Areias do Seixo - Sustainability

Noah Surf House - Sustainability

Do you have any recommendations for guests to make the most of their stay?

Come with an open mind and leave the noise of the outside world behind, even if it’s just for a short time. Allow yourself the time to contemplate, to disconnect. Let nature touch you and speak to you. Be open to others, and let your inner child out – shed your prejudices and give yourself the space to rediscover what really matters.