The Boutique Hotels of the Herriques Brothers: A Valuable Contribution to Tourism in Madeira.

I have known them for years: one is 12 years younger than me, the other 14. I am talking about the Henriques brothers, two Madeiran entrepreneurs who are highly regarded in Funchal. They both have in common the fact that they have always worked in the tourism sector. António, 76, learned his trade at the old Savoy, where Ms. Adelaide Brites and Mr. Rui Dias ran this hotel with extreme rigor, welcoming famous guests such as princes, kings, ministers, and writers. There, the young António began to familiarize himself with the international world. Norberto, two years older, had a great school as his base: the American Sheraton hotel chain. I saw him grow rapidly within the company; I was then Director of Public Relations. I witnessed his professional development as Director of Reception, a department that is not easy, but he, with his dynamism and competence, solved all problems. He welcomed guests with friendliness, winning them over and creating an atmosphere of trust, which is important when working in a hotel, because it is not just about filling rooms; there is a human geography that must be treated with special care, and there, consciously, he was excellent.

There is no doubt that Sheraton introduced a new method of hospitality to Madeira. It was a different world, with ongoing training for management staff: a new way of working. Before becoming entrepreneurs, both António and Norberto had experience that allowed them to embark on their business ventures without fear. A background that propelled them into other sectors. It is worth mentioning the concern that the two brothers had for their children’s education. António has six children: Cátia, who works in her father’s companies, has a degree in Civil Engineering; Inês, who has a degree in Management, lives in Lisbon; João studied Business Management in the United States; Pedro graduated in Management in the same country and then took a course in cooking; Filipa graduated in Management; and last but not least, Vanessa, beautiful as a flower in full bloom, who studied ballet in London and was a dancer with the Monte Carlo National Company. Norberto is the father of three boys: Gonçalo Bruno, who has a degree in Business Management from Universidade Moderna, is a wonderful human being with so much potential. Competent and visionary, he is responsible for many of the company’s decisions and is a key member of the team; Alexandre took a special cooking course in Lyon, France. He is an excellent cook; wherever he has worked, he has left his mark with his enormous talent. The youngest, Nuno, graduated in Management and runs car inspection companies in Colombia, where he lives, and has demonstrated great business acumen.


In 2009, the Henriques brothers opened a boutique hotel in Funchal, TheVine, whose quality of accommodation is praised by all who stay there. It is a small “universe” where comfort, good taste, and, above all, originality prevail. TheVine’s decor is by the prestigious designer Nini Andrade Silva. This hotel, located in the center of Funchal, has 79 rooms, a terrace with a swimming pool, and a restaurant offering exquisite cuisine. It has received numerous international awards for its combination of services, décor, comfort, and good taste—elements that attract guests and enhance tourism in Madeira. In 2019, a small hotel, “Caju,” with 24 rooms, will open in the center of Funchal, on one of its most characteristic streets. It is something different in Madeira’s hotel industry.


A hotel where you immediately discover the mark of Nini Andrade Silva. On the ground floor, there is a restaurant dedicated to healthy food. It is so successful that you have to book a table in advance! It is run by Cátia Henriques, the former Regional Director of Tourism and the wife of Gonçalo Bruno. Beautiful and friendly, she is an excellent public relations officer. She gives the class. Always with a smile on her lips, she has created a unique atmosphere at “Caju,” which is unanimously praised by its regulars. But the Henriques brothers’ activities are not limited to these hotels. They have car inspection companies in Cape Verde, Colombia, and Madeira.

Because I have always been happy with the success of those I love and respect, I cannot keep quiet about the two new establishments that will begin construction in the near future. Both are in the center of Funchal; one of them will be in an old mansion, steeped in history, where a count once resided. The other is not far from the first: an excellent building that will naturally become a pleasant place attracting tourists. Two boutique hotels that will bear the hallmark of the existing ones, belonging to these two brothers who have already handed over some of the companies’ responsibilities to Gonçalo Bruno, not because they are tired, but because they believe in the countless executive qualities of their nephew and son. Now, with more free time, they can rest a little more and devote themselves to their favorite sport: golf, on the splendid Santo da Serra course. António Henriques was undoubtedly one of the best presidents of Club Sport Marítimo; he dignified and promoted the club through his remarkable work. Norberto is married to an incredible woman, one of those people everyone wants to have as a friend: Betty. I have long wanted to pay this simple tribute to two Madeiran businessmen who love their island and, in all circumstances, have sought to contribute to its economic development.

Finally, I say to you, my friends: a man becomes a man through his evolution, communication, relationships, and love. That is precisely what has happened to you. Congratulations and much success to your companies.

João Carlos Abreu is an accomplished poet and writer.