The celebrations for the 90th anniversary of Bensaude Hotels took place on Thursday, at the end of the day, in the gardens of Terra Nostra Park. The ceremony, attended by public officials, Group partners, and employees, took place at Terra Nostra Park in Furnas, on the island of São Miguel. During the event, a series of stamps was launched, part of the annual collection that CTT dedicates to Portugal and the Autonomous Regions, which is close to being issued.

This year, the collection took on a different meaning: all the pieces were inspired by the camellias of Terra Nostra Park, a project that involved collaboration between Carina Costa, an agricultural engineer at Terra Nostra Park, and the Azorean hotel group. Among the camellias selected for the collection, the Camellia named Patricia Bensaude Fernandes stands out, in her honor. A flower of simple but striking beauty, now immortalized on a stamp that also celebrates the Bensaude family’s emotional connection to this place. Since 1935, with the opening of the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, we have made the promotion of the Azores and its identity our priority.

In addition to recognizing this legacy, the celebrations mark the beginning of a new cycle. It is Bensaude Hotels’ goal to continue to innovate and grow sustainably. Honoring the past without losing sight of the future,” explains Jorge Aguiar, executive director of Bensaude Turismo. The history of Bensaude Hotels began in 1935 with the inauguration of the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, an initiative of Sociedade Terra Nostra. It continued by Vasco Bensaude in Vale das Furnas, in the heart of the Park. A pioneer in the Azores, the hotel was built at a time when the region did not have the profile or accessibility that we know today.

The opening of a hotel like this in a remote parish was something totally revolutionary, which soon transformed it into a refuge that still combines elegance with the surrounding natural beauty. Ninety years after its inception, Bensaude Hotels has ten hotels on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, and Faial, as well as in Lisbon. A renovation plan for the existing hotels is underway, and the recent acquisition of the Convento da Alpendurada in the Douro region promises to strengthen its presence on the mainland. Throughout its history, Bensaude Hotels has consolidated an approach focused on valuing its Azorean roots, preserving its natural heritage, and promoting genuine hospitality.

The Group remains strongly committed to sustainability and to creating a positive impact on the communities where it operates. This commitment is reflected in its investment in jobs and team training, the inclusion of local products in its offerings, and environmental measures. The 90th-anniversary celebration represents not only the recognition of this legacy but also the beginning of a new cycle. Bensaude Hotels is now focused on strategic growth, geographic diversification, and establishing the brand as a benchmark in the tourism industry in the Azores.

In Diário dos Açores, Paulo Viveiros, director.

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.