About our establishment
Our restaurant, hotel and apartments offer comfortable and charming accommodations in a peaceful and picturesque setting, making it the perfect place for travellers to relax and unwind.
A family-run hotel, restaurant and apartment, Nha Terra began as the dream of young Francisco “Chico” Lopes. He was born on the firey island of Fogo but came to the salty island of Sal as a child with his Pastor Uncle, and soon learned the art of catering.
Chico was 17 when he went to work at the Hotel Atlântico in Espargos, Sal island’s capital. He was a hotel bellboy, and after a short time became a baggage handler. In 1975, he left Espargos for Santa Maria to make his debut at the Hotel Morabeza, the oldest on the island.
Morabeza was the only place he knew until he set up his own business. He started hosting parties in the backyard of his house and soon the rumour spread that the food there was magnificent. By 1990, people from the hotel were going to eat at Chico’s house. The courage was gained and his restaurant, Nha Terra, was born in 1998.
First, it was just a restaurant, with three rooms on the ground floor for those who preferred to stay there instead of looking for another hotel. Later, it was extended to a guest house on the second floor of the building and eventually grew to have a swimming pool. The links to travel agencies were established, and Nha Terra and Chico could only grow.
Today, the hotel-restaurant has grown to have many rooms and premium apartments. The owner Chico is joined by multiple Sons who help to run the major operations—carrying the legacy of Fire and Salt.
