The Oxalis Restaurant, located at Hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro, Relais & Châteaux, will host an exclusive four-hands dinner uniting Chef Gonçalo Bota, recommended by the Michelin Guide, and Chef José Diogo Costa, holder of a Michelin Star at Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel, in an extraordinary culinary collaboration entitled “From Ocean to Nature”.

This unique event invites guests on a gastronomic journey through Madeira, celebrating the island’s vibrant landscapes, traditions, and producers — from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean to the serenity of the Palheiro Nature Estate highlands.

The six-course menu — featuring four savoury dishes, a pre-dessert, and a dessert — will be paired with a selection of Premium Champagne, carefully chosen to enhance the dialogue between the freshness of the sea and Madeira’s natural richness.

Rooted in local produce, sustainability, and respect for nature, the dinner’s concept reflects the shared philosophy of Relais & Châteaux and Belmond: timeless hospitality, culinary excellence, and a deep connection to place.

“This dinner celebrates the essence of Madeira — the meeting of two culinary worlds united by a shared respect for the ingredients and traditions of our island.” says Chef Gonçalo Bota of Restaurante Oxalis.

“From Ocean to Nature is more than a menu; it’s a story of origin, of land and sea, and of how the art of cooking transforms nature’s bounty into experience.” adds Chef José Diogo Costa of Reid’s Palace.

The dinner will take place on Friday, 14 November 2025, at 7:00 p.m., at Restaurante Oxalis, Hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro, Relais & Châteaux.

Date: Friday, 14 November 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Restaurante Oxalis, Hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro, Relais & Châteaux
Price: €245 per person, including Premium Champagne pairing

Reservations:
📧 reservations.casavelha@palheiroestate.com
📞 +351 291 790 350

Places are limited, and early booking is strongly recommended.

Casa Velha do Palheiro has been featured by the prestigious The Telegraph as one of the top places to stay in Funchal. A mark of excellence that reflects the elegance and uniqueness of this historic retreat.

✨ What makes us so special?
✔ Surrounded by century-old gardens for moments of pure tranquility
✔ Prime location next to the renowned Palheiro Golf
✔ Exceptional gastronomy and authentic hospitality

When TheTelegraph recommends it, you know it’s truly exceptional.

Read the full article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/portugal/madeira/funchal/hotels/casa-velha-do-palheiro-hotel/

– Arraial Gourmet on the lawn of Hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro, Relais & Châteaux, bringing together Tradition, Innovation, Sustainability, and Nature –

One year after opening its doors, Oxalis restaurant celebrates its first anniversary with the 1st edition of Arraial Gourmet — a unique event that combines contemporary cuisine, Madeiran tradition and nature, set in the unforgettable surroundings of the lawns of Casa Velha do Palheiro, Relais & Châteaux, on September 12th at 7:00 pm.

The event will feature Live Cooking, where six renowned chefs of contemporary cuisine will create and serve dishes inspired by regional traditions — reinterpreted in gourmet form. Each food station will pay tribute to the essence of the arraial (traditional festivity), with its own distinct identity and elevated creativity.

Six chefs, six visions, one garden:

• Gonçalo Bota – Resident Chef at Oxalis, recommended by the Michelin Guide
• Filipe Janeiro – Gazebo Restaurant, recommended by the Michelin Guide
• César Vieira – Audax Restaurant, recommended by the Michelin Guide
• Dúlio Freitas – Adega do Pomar | Quinta da Moscadinha
• Júlio Pereira – Grupo Kampo, recommended by the Michelin Guide
• Carlos Afonso – Renowned for his unique culinary expression and frequent presence on 24 Kitchen and CNN Portugal.

In a warm, relaxed yet refined atmosphere, each creation is designed to surprise, inspire, and mark this special occasion. Guests can expect a night of unique flavors, sharing and lasting memories — with the lawns of Casa Velha do Palheiro providing a vibrant and unforgettable backdrop. The evening will also feature entertainment moments, including a special performance by Maya Blandy.

This exclusive event is open to the public with limited availability of 150 guests. Price: €135 per person. Reservations are confirmed upon pre-payment.

Casa Velha do Palheiro warmly thanks all its sponsors and partners, whose support makes this event possible: Aquimadeira, Blandy’s Wine Lodge, Grupo Kampo, 4Cakes, Cannings Gin, Adega do Mar (Quinta da Moscadinha), Aquanostra, Névio Dias Videography, Quinta de Lemos, Pommery (Alberto & Filhos), Delta, Chabom, Levadia Brewery.

We are excited to announce that Casa Velha do Palheiro, Relais & Châteaux, has been awarded the Green Key for the second consecutive year in recognition of our ongoing efforts to protect the environment!

Our Hotel Manager Cátia Afonso is a huge supporter of the Green Key Initiative.

“This Award is a testament to our ongoing commitment to sustainability. At Casa Velha do Palheiro, we believe that every small action contributes to a better future — and this year, we’ve taken a meaningful step forward with the launch of The Maze.

Developed in partnership with Greener Act, this unique reforestation project at Palheiro Nature Estate features over 800 trees and is expected to offset around 20 tons of CO₂ annually.

We are proud to be part of the Green Key community”

Casa Velha do Palheiro - Relais & Châteaux, is celebrating 220 years of history with the opening of an "Open Kitchen," marking a new chapter in its journey. The new kitchen, developed in partnership with Aquimadeira and Fagor, has been designed to offer a unique gastronomic experience. To commemorate this special occasion, two events are planned to showcase the new culinary concept.

On September 13th, the celebration begins with a four-hands tasting dinner featuring Chef Gonçalo Bita Bota of Casa Velha do Palheiro and Chef Gil Fernandes from Hotel Fortaleza do Guincho (1* Michelin). The exclusive menu reflects the creativity of the new kitchen and will be served in an "Open Kitchen" format, allowing guests to observe the creation of the dishes. The dinner will be preceded by a cocktail in the gardens at 7:30 PM, available by reservation and subject to limited capacity.

To complement the celebration, on September 15th, the "Culinary Golf Experience by Fagor" will bring together a select group of personalities from the worlds of golf and gastronomy in a private event.

The new kitchen at Casa Velha do Palheiro stands out for its "open kitchen" concept, which invites guests to interact with the culinary process, and a menu that highlights fresh, local ingredients with a sophisticated touch.

Casa Velha do Palheiro Relais & Châteaux has been awarded the prestigious “Grand Gold” prize in International Cuisine. This accolade recognizes the restaurant's culinary excellence and innovation, solidifying its position as one of the leading gastronomic references in Europe.

The award was presented during the Tejo Gourmet Awards ceremony on June 21, where Casa Velha do Palheiro stood out among esteemed competitors, reaffirming its reputation for the extraordinary quality of its dishes and its commitment to haute cuisine.

Executive Chef Gonçalo Bita Bota celebrated the achievement with enthusiasm: “This award is the result of our team’s hard work, dedication, and passion. We are committed to offering a memorable culinary experience by combining the unique flavors of Madeira with international influences. This distinction is an honor and a motivation to continue raising our standards of excellence.”

Casa Velha do Palheiro is renowned for its innovative international cuisine, which blends authentic flavors with modern techniques. With a strong focus on sustainability, the restaurant uses local and seasonal ingredients sourced from regional suppliers.

About Casa Velha do Palheiro: Located on the beautiful island of Madeira, Casa Velha do Palheiro is an elegant hotel that combines historical charm with modern comfort. As a member of Relais & Châteaux, Casa Velha do Palheiro is dedicated to providing unparalleled hospitality and unique experiences to its visitors.

Casa Velha do Palheiro Relais & Châteaux, one of the oldest estates on the island of Madeira, has been distinguished with the prestigious Green Key award, one of the leading international certifications for sustainable tourism.

The Green Key Award is granted to tourism establishments that demonstrate excellence in environmental practices and are committed to sustainability in all aspects of their operations. This recognition reinforces Casa Velha do Palheiro Relais & Châteaux's commitment to environmental preservation and the promotion of responsible tourism.

Casa Velha do Palheiro has implemented a series of ecological initiatives that contributed to winning this award, including:

• Reduction of carbon footprint
• Energy and water management
• Waste reduction
• Biodiversity protection
• Promotion of health and well-being for employees

"The Green Key Award is a testament to our ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. We are extremely proud to be recognized for our efforts and will continue to seek new ways to improve our ecological practices," stated the Management of Casa Velha do Palheiro.

Casa Velha do Palheiro Hotel, part of the Relais & Châteaux group, nestled within the breath-taking Palheiro Nature Estate, is thrilled to announce the completion of a renovation project for its Garden Wing.

The renovation project marks a significant milestone in Casa Velha do Palheiro's ongoing commitment to providing guests with an unparalleled five-star experience. With meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering dedication to excellence, the Garden Wing has been elevated to the same luxurious standard that guests have come to expect at the Palheiro Nature Estate.

Key highlights of the renovation include:

Our heartfelt congratulations are extended to the dedicated team at Casa Velha do Palheiro, with special recognition to our maintenance and housekeeping team. Their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts have been instrumental in successfully bringing this project to fruition.

This renovation was led by the Board Members Jonathan Fletcher Blandy, Philippe Moreau and Louisa Blandy Moreau, the Creative Director of this project, who brought her keen eye for design and aesthetic finesse to the forefront. Her vision has played a pivotal role in shaping the Garden Wing's new look and feel.

Architect Mary Caldeira, renowned for her architectural expertise, has crafted contemporary elegance with the timeless charm of the Casa Velha do Palheiro Hotel.

Construteam, our trusted local building company, has executed the renovation with precision and craftsmanship, ensuring that every aspect of the project is of the highest quality.

The standout feature of this renovation lies in the comprehensive transformation of the bathrooms, accompanied by a meticulous decoration scheme characterized by soothing soft tones. Notably, these design elements have been elevated with the inclusion of handpicked fabrics sourced from the local supplier, Trinco, adding an extra layer of charm and authenticity to the refreshed rooms.

As a result of these enhancements, Casa Velha do Palheiro's Garden Wing now stands proudly alongside Casa Velha’s previously renovated accommodations, further solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for luxury and relaxation on the Island of Madeira.

Casa Velha do Palheiro Hotel invites guests and travellers to discover a distinctive experience of luxury, sophistication, and comfort in the heart of Madeira and guests can look forward to a rejuvenating stay amidst the stunning natural beauty of the Palheiro Nature Estate.

For reservations and inquiries, please visit casa-velha.com or contact reservations.casavelha@palheiroestate.com.