Let us introduce ourselves...
Alvaro is a real people person and enjoys the good things in life. He is active and likes to get things done. At the Quinta, Alvaro is the first point of contact, the technician and head lawn mower.
Iris is the quiet force behind the Quinta. She takes care of everything down to the last detail, both in front of and behind the scenes. She is also responsible for the style and atmosphere of the business.
Ezra is a true entrepreneur and sees opportunities everywhere. In addition to being a co host at the Quinta, he aims to become a professional footballer.
Noam is our animal lover. He is also a fan of games and is always happy to help. The football pitch is his favourite place.
Max is from here. He used to be a stray dog and now lives his dog’s life at the Quinta. He is very friendly, but has not quite unlearned all his tricks yet.
Yuki and Niya are also adopted. While Yuki is turning into a true hunter, Niya is more the luxurious type of cat.
Our story
We are Iris and Alvaro. Together with our two children, we have been proudly running Quinta da Vala since April 2025.
Our journey to Portugal actually began many years ago. In 2012, we travelled together and realised just how much more there was to discover in the world. Yet, like so many others, we continued with our lives in the Netherlands: good jobs, a comfortable home, and a strong social circle. Everything was as it should be. And still, there was always that quiet voice: is this all there is, or could life be different?
In 2016, we bought our first small holiday home on the North Holland coast, which we renovated entirely ourselves. Not long after, a second followed. We discovered how much joy it brought us to transform a house into a warm, welcoming place, and how special it felt to host guests there. Their stories, their happiness, and sharing the surroundings with them – it gave us energy.
But life became increasingly busy. Two demanding jobs, a family, and running two holiday homes: it simply became too much. Still, we knew one thing for certain: what truly makes us happy is creating beautiful places and sharing them with others. So, we decided to take a different path.
Alvaro was the first to leave his job, and we began searching for a place of our own with enough rental potential to make a living. In the Netherlands, this proved impossible within our budget, so we looked further afield. Portugal drew us in: the climate, the space, the people. On the very last day of our first trip through the Algarve, we came across a severely neglected farmhouse: Quinta da Vala. Full of mould, cracks and leaks — but also full of character and potential.
We fell in love. Still, it took more than a year and a half of negotiations, doubts, obstacles and unexpected setbacks before we were finally able to purchase the quinta. With the help of friends, family and a few key Portuguese contacts, it eventually became possible. And so, on 24 April 2025, we officially became its owners.
Since then, much has changed. The weeds have made way for a green lawn, the swimming pool sparkles once again, and the apartments now have new floors, bathrooms and kitchens. The old walls still breathe history, but now carry a fresh new look. Every day, we continue to work with care and dedication to make Quinta da Vala a place where guests feel at home from the moment they arrive.
For us, this is not just a rental project. It is a dream come true; a place where our family lives, learns and grows, and where we can share our passion for hospitality and the good life.
We warmly invite you to experience it for yourself. Discover the peace, the space, and the charm of Portuguese life.
Bem-vindo à Quinta da Vala.