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THE TEAM

The faces behind Quinta Filippa and the people you will encounter throughout your stay.

JOIN THE TEAM
A woman with long blonde hair sitting on a dark brown upholstered sofa with a textured decorative pillow, smiling at the camera. The room has a beige wall, a light-colored shaggy rug on the floor, and a small wooden side table partially visible to the right.

NIKKI

OWNER

Originally from the Netherlands, Nikki has always believed in pushing beyond limits. When she and Mike found Quinta Filippa, they chose not to build something new but to restore what was already there, preserving its character while making it more comfortable. They fell in love in this place, and over time, Nikki’s connection to the land grew deeper. What began as a family home became a lifelong passion, shaping her vision for a space where people can disconnect to reconnect. Now, she is dedicated to ensuring that every guest feels the warmth and authenticity that make Quinta Filippa special.

A man with dark curly hair and a beard, smiling, standing outdoors on a sunny day. He is wearing a dark button-up shirt and jeans, with his left hand in his pocket and his right hand hanging by his side. The background includes trees, dry soil, rocks, and a clear sky.

MIKE

OWNER

Half Portuguese, half Dutch, Mike has always felt a deep connection to Portugal, its landscapes, traditions, and way of life. Quinta Filippa is the realization of a dream, a place where family heritage, nature, and community come together. Passionate about creating something meaningful, he and his wife Nikki have poured their hearts to create a place that feels alive, welcoming, and personal. From working with local artisans to embracing the land’s beauty, Mike is dedicated to creating a place that feels like home, where every detail is designed with warmth and meaning.

A man wearing a white shirt and black pants leaning on a brick wall outdoors with green trees and power lines in the background.

GONÇALO

GENERAL MANAGER

With experience opening five star hotels in Porto, Gonçalo brings a calm, people centred approach to his role as General Manager. He is passionate about building strong teams and creating an atmosphere where guests feel genuinely welcomed from the moment they arrive. Drawn to Quinta Filippa’s vision of thoughtful hospitality, Gonçalo believes that the finest experiences are often shaped by the smallest details. His focus is to ensure every stay feels effortless, warm, and true to the character of the estate.

A man with gray hair and a beard smiling and standing with arms crossed outdoors in a garden. He is wearing a light pink striped shirt, white pants, a brown belt, and a watch. The garden has greenery, small trees, and large logs, with a cloudy sky overhead.

PEDRO

DUTY MANAGER

Pedro is originally from Lisbon and brings over ten years of experience in hospitality, with a background across Lisbon, the Alentejo, and the Algarve. His approach is defined by consistency, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of guest expectations. He focuses on delivering a high standard of service through structure, efficiency, and presence. At Quinta Filippa, his role is to ensure each guest experience is seamless and aligned with the overall vision of the project.

A smiling man with short dark hair, wearing a green long-sleeve shirt and tan pants, stands outdoors near a brick wall and a metal gate, holding a clipboard with papers. The background features green trees and a garden area.

MARCO

HOST

Marco was the second person to join Quinta Filippa, becoming an integral part of the project from the very beginning. Born in the USA, he has lived in Italy, Spain, and Canada, working across cruise ships and airlines before fate brought him back to his family’s homeland. In the early stages, he played a key role in laying the foundation for what Quinta Filippa is today. Passionate since day one, he loves bringing his diverse skills into play and takes great pride in seeing this vision come to life.

A middle-aged man with gray hair and beard stands indoors in front of large glass sliding doors, wearing a black shirt and a beige apron, smiling at the camera. Outside, there are trees and a garden area.

PAOLO

CHEF

Born to a Dutch father and an Italian mother, Paolo’s career has taken him from Amsterdam to Switzerland, Austria, the Caribbean, and now Portugal. His approach is guided by seasonality, respect for ingredients, and a close connection to the land. At Quinta Filippa, he creates menus inspired by the estate’s gardens and local producers, bringing together international experience and a thoughtful approach to cooking.

A woman with her hair in a bun, smiling, sitting barefoot on stone stairs. She is wearing a dark plaid shirt and gray pants, with her legs crossed and hands resting on her knees, in an indoor setting with a stone and concrete wall background.

VALENTINE

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

With over 13 years of experience in hospitality, Valentine specializes in creative direction and strategic storytelling. At Quinta Filippa, she leads communication efforts, from brand narrative and copywriting to photography. Her role ensures every detail reflects the project’s values and identity. Passionate about meaningful experiences, she’s committed to bringing Quinta Filippa’s story to life.

A man smiling outdoors in a forested area with tall trees in the background. He is wearing a gray hoodie and jeans, holding small branches or twigs. The environment appears to be a wild or natural setting with brown undergrowth on the ground.

DAVID

GARDENER

David was born into a family of farmers who lived off the land. From a young age, he remembers tending his garden, proudly eating the vegetables he grew. His passion for the countryside led him, at 17, to work on a farm, where he took care of cows and goats. This was followed by work as an agricultural machinery mechanic and then carpentry with his brother. Today, alongside his agricultural project which he never abandoned, he is part of this project, where he proudly takes care of all the indoor and outdoor gardens, as well as our lakes.  

A man holding a small tree branch in a forest, with farmland and a tractor in the background, during late afternoon sunlight.

JOAQUIM

MAINTENANCE

Joaquim was born in England and moved to Portugal, his family's homeland, at the age of 18. His lifelong passion for cars led him to start working in automotive electronics early on. In 2018, he met Mike while working in a workshop, and their strong connection, based on Joaquim's professionalism and personality, led to an invitation to join the Quinta Filippa team. Since then, Joaquim has taken on a variety of roles. Today, he handles all mechanics and electronics, organizes the warehouse, and is always available for any challenge. 

A woman with long brown hair and glasses standing with arms crossed in a green outdoor setting with tall trees and foliage.

SARA

PARTNERSHIPS AND RESERVATIONS

Sara grew up in a small village near Quinta Filippa and is connected to the estate with her background in hospitality, communication, and gastronomy. With a clear strategy and her warm presence she ensures that every collaboration and guest experience feels true to Quinta Filippa's essence.

A man with dark hair and a beard standing in a garden, smiling, with arms crossed, beside a tree with green leaves, flowers, and greenery in the background.

IVO

FARM MANAGER

Ivo grew up just beside Quinta Filippa, with his life connected with the land. His great-grandfather once acquired nearly the entire village, establishing strong family roots here. From a young age, Ivo has felt a clear vision: to care for these lands in a sustainable way. The project took shape with Mike’s arrival, when Ivo shared his vision on the first day they met. Soon after their lands came together, expanding Quinta Filippa to its current 40 hectares. Today Ivo oversees the property’s development and leads the permaculture and organic farming initiatives.

A young woman standing in a field of colorful wildflowers, holding a camera, with a large tree and cloudy sky in the background.

MARIANA

CONTENT CREATOR AND STORYTELLER

Mariana was born in Portugal and has always felt at home behind the camera and close to nature. Her passion for communication led her to study the field at university, where she discovered the power of stories to connect and inspire. Since then, she has dedicated herself to creating authentic content that reflects curiosity, creativity, and discovery.

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MARCO

PROJECT MANAGER AND ENGINEER

Born in Lagos, Marco studied Civil Engineering at the University of Évora before building his career across both the public and private sectors. At Quinta Filippa, he oversees the ongoing development of the estate, bringing technical expertise, dedication, and a thoughtful approach to every stage of the project. He is committed to helping bring the vision of Quinta Filippa to life with precision and attention to detail.

A woman with glasses and long brown hair standing in a green field with flowers and trees, smiling, during the daytime.

MELISSA

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Originally from Canada, Melissa moved to Portugal to begin a new chapter and brings over ten years of administrative experience across different sectors. At Quinta Filippa, she works behind the scenes supporting administration, finance, human resources, and daily operations, helping to keep everything running smoothly. She is proud to be part of a collaborative project where every detail matters.