10 of the Best Hotels in the Azores to Book in 2022

Most people head to the Azores, a remote nine-island archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic, for its mother nature: sizzling springs hidden in forests, lakes shaped in inactive volcano calderas, seashores best for swimming and surfing, spectacular waterfalls cascading down verdant cliffs, and underground lava tubes all set to investigate. But the islands’ variety of one of a kind and generally high-class accommodations are just as substantially a purpose to reserve a trip to Portugal’s easternmost outpost.

Thanks to its remoteness and initiatives by the Azorean authorities to prevent overtourism, which place a cap on the variety of resort beds on the islands back again in 2015, there’s a refreshing lack of substantial, humdrum global chain inns listed here. Rather, expect to come across smaller sized hotels and resorts that draw style elements from their nearby environment, this kind of as incorporating local constructing products or showcasing the landscape with floor-to-ceiling windows, and present a welcoming and snug visitor knowledge.

As you might count on from a destination that was named the world’s 1st sustainable vacationer vacation spot by EarthCheck in 2019, most of these inns are also committed to ecological and local community sustainability, with methods like working with solar panels or menus with domestically sourced elements frequent among them. These are 10 of the most effective lodges in the Azores.

São Miguel

1. Octant Ponta Delgada

For a a lot more central continue to be, take into account a home at the modern, 123-area Octant Ponta Delgada (previously Azor Resort), which overlooks the yacht marina in the coronary heart of Ponta Delgada. Decor, like the studded, copper seats at the bar, presents a nod to the city’s nautical record (it’s extensive been a refueling stage for transatlantic ships) though ground-to-ceiling home windows frame picturesque views of the ocean. Amenities consist of an onsite health club, a spa, pool, foodstuff industry, and cafe, À Terra, which options nearby, Azorean specialties like limpets (a type of aquatic snail) and grilled squid.

Though there, really do not skip out on the rooftop degree, which options a spacious indoor/out of doors bar and swimming pool with panoramic sights of the sea and town. If you are fortunate, you might spot a whale on the horizon.

2. Sensi Lodge & Spa

Sensi is a tranquil retreat in a restored farmhouse overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is a 50 percent-hour push from Ponta Delgada, São Miguel’s principal city, on the west facet of the island, but in close proximity to Ponta da Ferraria beach and various volcano hikes. Company have obtain to a spa, out of doors and indoor pools, comprehensive bar, and cafe that serves a breakfast of neighborhood specialties (cheese, fruit, breads, and a cooked entrée), as very well as evening meal if you’re taking pleasure in the views far too substantially to hassle venturing out. While you just cannot go mistaken with any of the rooms, it’s truly worth the update to a place with a private pool—ideal for a postdinner soak and stargazing session.

3. Octant Furnas

While on São Miguel, it’s really worth staying at minimum a night time or two in Furnas, a little city on the east facet of the island reported to have the premier collection of organic thermal waters in Europe. If you do, e book a stay at spa-centric Octant Furnas vacation resort (by the similar team behind Octant Ponta Delgada), which is near quite a few community warm springs and has both equally an indoor and outside thermal pool onsite. 

Established on a eco-friendly, tree-stuffed property on the edge of town, the hotel blends seamlessly into its surroundings, although inside of, fashionable decor mixes with dim walls and hanging crops to mirror the outside’s lush, and at situations moody, ambiance. A wood-fired oven is the focal stage at the hotel’s restaurant, À Terra—yet another nod to the area’s fiery, volcanic nature—where crisp pizzas are served in an airy eating space that resembles a greenhouse.

4. Santa Barbara Resort

Santa Barbara Resort on São Miguel’s north coastline is an exemplar of laid-back luxurious, with its low-slung properties that blend into the landscape, beachfront site, and farm-to-desk restaurant that utilizes deliver developed on the property’s organic farm. Founded by avid surfer João Reis, it need to come as no shock that the resort also takes place to be around a single of São Miguel’s ideal surf spots for beginners. (Guide rentals and lessons at Santa Barbara Surf Faculty, suitable subsequent door.)

This nature-loving vacation resort aims for sustainability much too, employing procedures like rainwater collection, composting, and very low-strength lighting alternatives to decrease its footprint.

Terceira

5. Pousada Forte Angra do Heroísmo

Historical past buffs will like Pousada Forte Angra do Heroísmo, a 16th-century fort-turned-inn perched on a cliff just earlier mentioned Terceira’s principal city and UNESCO Entire world Heritage web-site, Angra do Heroísmo. Historic functions, these kinds of as the original stone wall bordering the fort, mix with modern-day amenities made to make guests’ stays comfortable, which includes two out of doors pools, a Jacuzzi, and an on-internet site restaurant. The assets also capabilities scenic, undisturbed views of the Atlantic Ocean—making it value the splurge on a area with a balcony.

6. Pico da Vigia

It’s uncomplicated to pass up Pico da Vigia, a low-rise residence developed to blend in with its environment, on Terceira’s west coast, about 20 minutes from Angra do Heroísmo. Each and every unit in this selection of restored stone farmhouse villas characteristics cozy, midcentury interiors, entire with fireplaces, vinyl history gamers, and a tiny kitchenette. They are established on a bucolic, performing natural farm overlooking the sea, so company have entry to fresh new develop throughout their continue to be. There is no cafe onsite, but nearby Baia W is an excellent selection for a contemporary seafood lunch or supper.

Pico

7. Aldeia da Fonte

The lesser-visited, south aspect of Pico island is house to the serene, cliff-top Aldeia da Fonte ecohotel, wherever the 40 rooms unfold in six volcanic stone residences tucked between tropical foliage and overlooking the Atlantic. The lodge embraces its normal environment and features several strategies for guests to love Pico’s biodiversity though being there, these as by climbing on one of its coastal trails, paying a working day on its private seashore, or whale and dolphin observing from its lounge or spacious outside deck (which features a swimming pool).

8. Lava Households

Created with households in intellect, Lava Houses is a cluster of family vacation residences full of amenities on Pico’s north coastline, with an onsite cafe (breakfast included), out of doors pool, and exceptionally valuable personnel. Despite the fact that every single property has its personal special style, flooring-to-ceiling home windows and wraparound porches set the views of the ocean, Mount Pico, and close by São Jorge front and center, although wood-burning stoves in the residing area cozily heat the room during cooler months.

9. Pocinho Bay

For a more central remain on Pico island, Pocinho Bay is an oceanside lodge surrounded by vineyards a limited generate outside of the island’s most important city, Madalena. Established on 32 acres of land overlooking neighboring Faial island, the lodge is made up of quite a few stone cottages with an eclectic, bohemian-meets-rustic inside layout, a tranquil garden with lots of hammocks for lounging, walking trails, and a non-public pool. Although its easy location helps make checking out Pico’s main points of interest easy, we wouldn’t blame you for lingering in the tranquil, close-to-nature area (glass of wine in hand sunset on the horizon) for as long as achievable.

Flores

10. Aldeia Da Cuada

Established in the late 1600s but deserted by its residents in the 1960s when several emigrated to the United States for far better prospective customers, what was as soon as the agrarian village of Aldeia da Cuada on Flores island has because been lovingly restored and repurposed into a collection of trip residences. Maintaining as a great deal of the first footprint and architecture as doable, each and every of these 16 houses options stone-and-wooden architecture normal of the area inside of and out. Decor objects like crocheted blankets, Portuguese lace curtains, and unfussy wooden home furniture give them a cozy, homey enchantment. Each property is geared up with a self-catering kitchen area, but there is also a restaurant in the village that serves a seasonally altering menu of Azorean dishes.

If the heritage on your own isn’t plenty of to entice you, the area may. Morro Alto and Pico do Se Normal Forest Reserve, which is dwelling to Flores’s famed eco-friendly cliffs lined with waterfalls, serves as a dramatic backdrop to an usually modest house.