Christmas Tree Lighting at Quinta dos Chãos Signals Strong Demand for Community-Led Farmhouse Hotels in Portugal’s Oeste Region

ERICEIRA, PORTUGAL, December 21, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- 500+ Gather at Santo Isidoro for Landmark Farmhouse Hospitality Project Launch

On Saturday afternoon, 13 December, more than 500 people gathered at the historic Quinta dos Chãos in Santo Isidoro for a seasonal “Winter Gathering” that quickly became something more meaningful. The event offered an early glimpse into a new approach to luxury hospitality in Portugal’s countryside — one rooted in community, culture, and a deep respect for land.

Jointly organised by Campo Culture and Leap Assets, the gathering marked the public launch of ORO Collective, an ambitious farmhouse-led hospitality project planned for the Oeste region. While the symbolic lighting of a Christmas tree anchored the afternoon, the deeper intention was to bring together neighbours, artisans, travellers, and hospitality professionals to imagine a different future for rural luxury in Portugal.

A Historic Farmhouse Setting

Quinta dos Chãos is a site rich in heritage, with evidence of Roman settlement and centuries of agricultural use. On this winter afternoon, it became the backdrop for ORO Collective’s vision of “grounded luxury” — hospitality rooted in place, people, and craftsmanship, closely aligned with the ethos of the world’s most meaningful farmhouse hotels.

Fifteen food vendors, five artisan food producers, and more than six local craftspeople activated the grounds, most from the Oeste region. As the December sun moved across the quinta, the atmosphere evolved from relaxed afternoon gathering to golden-hour celebration, culminating in the Christmas tree lighting and live music into the evening.

“Watching the quinta shift from daylight to sunset and into the tree lighting, with people genuinely connecting — that’s the energy we want ORO to hold,” said Rami Moghabghab, Project Director of ORO Collective.

Community at the Core of Rural Luxury

Beyond the strong turnout, organisers were struck by the diversity of the crowd. Local residents from Santo Isidoro and Ericeira mingled with visitors from Lisbon, international travellers staying at nearby hotels, and professionals drawn to the Oeste region for its balance of nature, lifestyle, and accessibility.

“These are people who want proximity to nature and the ocean, access to Lisbon and the airport, but also a sense of belonging,” said Georges Abou Jaoude of Leap Assets. “They want to be grounded while remaining connected.”

The ORO Collective Vision

During the event, guests were introduced to early renders of ORO Collective. The project will include a 120+ room hotel operated by an internationally recognised brand (to be announced), farmhouse and lake-side hotels, branded residences, restaurants, working farmland, and flexible event spaces.

Rather than conventional luxury real estate, ORO Collective responds to growing demand for authentic farmhouse hotels — destinations shaped by landscape, food, and community rather than excess. At the heart of the site stands a centuries-old wild olive tree, serving as both symbolic and physical centre of the project.

The name “ORO” reflects this layered meaning. In Portuguese, it echoes ouro (gold), while as a verb it means “I pray,” reinforcing the project’s reverence for land and collective experience. Interest was immediate, with over 300 attendees registering for project updates.

Beyond Accommodation

What distinguished the gathering from a typical hotel launch was its emphasis on participation rather than promotion. Project representatives engaged openly with neighbours and locals, answering questions about development plans, timelines, and community impact.

“ORO Collective isn’t just about luxury accommodation,” Abou Jaoude reflected. “It’s about creating a shared space where people can connect and support one another.”

Looking Ahead

The Winter Gathering marks the first of several community-led events planned at Quinta dos Chãos. As development progresses, artisan markets, seasonal celebrations, and cultural programming will continue to shape the site as a living farmhouse destination.

For those who attended, the message was clear: ORO Collective is being built with a community that already exists, gathering around a centuries-old olive tree in Santo Isidoro and turning land into legacy.

For more information, visit www.orocollective.pt

Rami moughabghab
ORO Collective
[email protected]

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