About The Retreat Pinhão

The Retreat Pinhão is a sustainable eco hotel in the mountains of Santo Antão, Cabo Verde, where nature, community and hospitality come together.

Our story is rooted in Cape Verde. Every decision we make, from caring for our guests to supporting the local community and protecting the island's nature, is guided by one belief: sustainable tourism should leave places better than it found them.

OUR STORY

The Retreat Pinhão was created to offer more than a place to stay. Surrounded by the mountains of Santo Antão, we’ve built a space where guests can slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience the warmth and authenticity of Cape Verde.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Retreat’s unique mountain setting includes a short uphill walk from the parking area, which may not be suitable for every guest. Wherever possible, our team is happy to assist with luggage and personalised support to ensure every stay is as comfortable and welcoming as possible.

OUR COMMUNITY

We believe tourism should leave a lasting, positive impact on the people who call Santo Antão home. By prioritising local employment, investing in infrastructure, and supporting community initiatives, we’re committed to creating opportunities that extend far beyond our hotel.

Our work includes funding water pipelines that brought clean water to neighbouring homes, supporting the Escola Pinhão Association through food donations and events, and sponsoring the local football team. When Hurricane Nuria struck Cape Verde in 2025, our team also spent over five weeks delivering emergency aid and helping rebuild lives where it was needed most.

OUR COMMITMENT

Caring for our environment and community is at the heart of everything we do. We believe responsible tourism means protecting Santo Antão’s natural beauty while continually improving the way we operate, support local suppliers, and reduce our environmental impact.

These efforts have been recognised with the Green Tourism Silver Award, an internationally recognised accreditation that reflects our commitment to sustainability, accessibility, community engagement, and continuous improvement.

Escape to the mountains, slow down, and experience the warmth of Cape Verde at The Retreat Pinhão.

What Our Guests Say About Us

"Truly amazing and unforgettable experience. The Retreat is a gem in the paradise of Sao Antão. Nestled high in the mountains, one is well and truly rewarded for the journey to reach it. Our room, with a balcony, was surrounded by banana and papaya trees, I noticed they grow their own vegetables, and have a salad and herb patch also. Before dinner, it’s obligatory to sit at the infinity pool with a gorgeous red wine or cocktail. Food was plentiful (very!) and tasty. After a comfortable nights sleep, the sound of the rooster and donkeys nearby are the only alarm clock you need to signal dawn. Time stands immaculately still here and in such a location, it is very admirable how conscious the business is about sustainability and limiting their carbon footprint. Highly recommend this experience."

"Surrounded by mountains and the crashing waves of the Atlantic, I found true peace at The Retreat, Pinhão. It is an award-winning hotel perched in the peaks, totally immersed in nature, yet equipped with every modern facility you could need.
They take immense pride in their food, with much of the produce coming straight from their own organic gardens. Whether you want to swim in the pool, get lost in a book in the library, browse with high-speed internet, or enjoy rooftop yoga, it's all here. We especially loved ending the day with a cocktail at the Kevin Barry Bar.
After a short 10-minute walk, we entered a world apart. If 'Heaven on Earth' exists, this must be it. The staff are incredible, always willing to go the extra mile, they even carried our bags up the mountain path for us!"

"Favorite place we stayed in Cape Verde! It's a beautiful location with amazing view. It's a bit secluded but that definitely adds to the charm. You enter an oasis of peace. The staff is super sweet and helpful. You can do hikes from the hotel but also have a lovely chill day at the hotel if you want a quiet day. I loved the communal dinner with all the guests! You can easily meet other travellers. Food was amazing and the rooms were super clean and beautiful with amazing views of the mountains. Beds were the most comfortable we had so far! Will definitely come back when visiting Santo Antão again!"