Meet Marc and Suzana Kuenzel, the dynamic couple behind the prestigious project known as Herdade Bonanza. Set in the countryside in Odiáxere, Lagos, when you visit this unique space it’s hard to believe they only bought the land back in 2020.
Back then, Marc, a very successful entrepreneur with several profitable companies under his belt, was looking for a new project in the Algarve. He wanted to spend more time with his family and get away from a very demanding corporate lifestyle which kept him living in Luxembourg, miles from his home at the time in Germany. Both he and his wife had family and close ties to Portugal. They met for the first time in Lisbon as children. It was always the dream to eventually raise their four children here.
Marc began by creating Saude in Portugal and then Yes for Knowledge. The entrepreneur has the Midis touch and has always thought outside the box. His enthusiasm is infectious and, as they say, ‘behind every great man is a great woman’. In Marc’s case this is, his wife Suzana, a former nurse. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with.
The couple began to search for land to create something special. What they ended up buying was seven hectares of uncultivated land, which had originally housed the largest poultry farm in the region and several outhouses for cattle and pigs. The property also included accommodation for the workers and a communal eating area. Abandoned for many years, it was covered in weeds and debris, and they struggled to enter most of the old ruins. This did not deter Marc, even though many thought him crazy at the time. A visionary, he immediately focused on making his dream a reality. By then, he’d been joined by his brother-in-law Diogo Ferreira, who plays an integral part in the day-to-day running of the business.
The restoration work began immediately: clearing the land, building roads, creating fields, digging ditches, planting trees, putting in the infrastructure, and removing all the relics from the past left behind in the buildings. It was a lot of work carried out by a very dedicated team. “Everybody who works here is equal. Only together can we achieve. We have all been dedicated and invested in the project from the start,” Marc says.
Once the land was cleared, it was decided that none of the existing ruins would be torn down but restored and used. The first carefully planned and designed space for Herdade Bonanza was devoted to dogs and opened in 2022. “A home away from home where your dogs are cared for with love by people who care,” says Suzana, who was instrumental in designing the kennels, which are based on a street in Lisbon. A five-star dog resort and hotel, it offers 43 suites that are unparalleled anywhere else in the country. There is a very opulent spa for grooming, physiotherapy and other pooch pampering, along with a swimming pool, exercise area and plenty of monitored play and activity places.
With this first project completed, Marc spotted a gap in the market for an events centre. With four children and a large extended family, he found it difficult over the years to find fun outdoor places offering activities for kids, especially for birthdays and other family gatherings. This inspired him to exploit the space he had available, so he went back to the drawing board and the fun began again.
Marc divided the land into six fields and created a magical world for children within each of them. There is a go-kart track, a beach-style playground with slides, a Ninja camp, swings, a wooden train, traditional-style teepees, a swimming pool, a very high-tech soccer arena and ping-pong. Here, children can be themselves, use their imaginations, laugh out loud and squeal with joy. While everything was going on outside, Suzana was using her interior decor skills to pull together something special inside for the children. Her trademark artwork covers the walls.
Art is fundamental to Marc and his love of art can be enjoyed by all who visit Herdade Bonanza, from the newly created events centre to the restaurant. “I believe that if children are exposed to art from a young age, they will be inspired to be more creative and innovative,” he tells me. Suzana chimes in lovingly, “He always starts with the art on the walls, then it’s my job to work around it and then magically it all comes together.”
The restaurant is beautifully decorated. For events, you can sit down with the chefs to select from various menu options according to your budget. There are no shortcuts for this couple – their drive and enthusiasm motivate their team. When looking around the facilities, the camaraderie among the staff was evident, from the reception staff to the dog handlers and gardeners, whose crops are used in the kitchens.
Everywhere you look, you can see Marc and Suzana’s flair and professionalism. They are both so animated and emotional when speaking about their relationships, family and projects. A labour of love which is born out of love seems to sum up this unique project.
Contact for events HBonanzafunevents.com +351 925 443 162
Herdade Bonanza Dog Hotel + 351 967 344 230
