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This was a press trip organised by the Azores Tourism Board (ATB). The opinions expressed within this article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of ATB.
The Azores, recently named one of Europe's greatest adventure locations, are a natural wonderland and a true gem for adventurers. We spent a week in the Azores and prepared a list of the best places to stay in São Miguel, including eco-hotels, historic cottages, and modern apartments.
For more information about São Miguel, check out our list of 11+ things to do on São Miguel on the island and our 7-day Azores itinerary. If you want to visit Flores as part of your Azores itinerary, read our Flores Island guide.
We'll cover the best areas of São Miguel to make sure you stay in the best area suited to your needs and recommend the best places to stay within them.
São Miguel
The chances are your first stop in the Azores will be arriving in São Miguel, with direct flights from London Heathrow in the UK.
São Miguel Island, the largest in the Azores archipelago and named after Saint Michael the Archangel from the Bible, is nicknamed 'Ilha Verde,' or the green island. This remote Atlantic island has a lot to offer, from canyoneering experiences to relaxing in beautiful seaside hot springs.
Ponta Delgada
The largest town on the island, Ponta Delgada is a wonderful place to base yourself while exploring. Its position in the southwest of São Miguel is well connected to the main roads, which follow a figure of eight shape.
We stayed in Ponta Delgada while on São Miguel and enjoyed being able to walk along the harbourfront in the evenings and walk into the historical centre full of wonderful restaurants and live music.
Senhora da Rosa
A little further from the city centre of Ponta Delgada, Senhora da Rosa is in a quiet, peaceful location. Originally an orange farm, the hotel today has modern touches with solar panels, an outdoor pool, and beautiful decor. We ate in the Magma restaurant, which uses a farm-to-table approach using Azorean products from São Miguel and the surrounding islands.
Nine Dots Azorean Art Boutique Hotel
Nine Dots Azorean Art Boutique Hotel is located in the historic heart of Ponta Delgada. This 4-star hotel has a wonderful natural aesthetic, showcasing the talent of Azorean artists. A wellness centre features an indoor pool, hammam, and serene garden.
BOOK YOU STAY | Nine Dots Azorean Art Boutique Hotel
Vila Gale Collection S. Miguel
Vila Gale Collection S. Miguel is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Ponta Delgada, within walking distance of the harborfront and opposite the Forte de São Brás. It stands as a statement piece in the city; its pink facade resembles a scene from a Wes Anderson movie. The hotel has a central outdoor swimming pool, several bars, a restaurant, and a spa.
While we ate at the restaurant, we weren’t overly impressed with the quality, and there are much better options for food in Ponta Delgada. The Vila Gale Collection S. Miguel is an excellent choice for a stay in São Miguel because of its prime location facing Campo de São Francisco square and its grandeur.
Octant
If you’re looking for a central location with sea views, Octant is the top pick for hotels in Ponta Delgada. The hotel is found right on the harbourfront, where each room benefits from a sea view; the sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. Octant features a rooftop pool, fine dining à la carte menu restaurant, alongside a spa and gym.
Azoris Royal Garden Hotel
Set within a great central location in Ponta Delgada, Azoris Royal Garden Hotel was our base in São Miguel for our 4 days on the island. Azoris Royal Garden is a 4-star hotel with an outdoor pool, gym, and bar with live music some evenings. If you hire a car, there is a covered car park with the hotel that you can use during your stay.
Marina Atlântico Hotel
The Marina Atlântico Hotel is ideally located near the Ponta Delgada Marina, boasting some of the most spectacular views from their rooms. We stayed on the top floor for our last night on the island and woke up to the most beautiful sunrise over the harbour. The hotel features a buffet breakfast and a modern outdoor infinity pool.
Nordeste
Nordeste is found in the northeast of São Miguel, a much more remote and quieter spot of the island. In this area you’ll discover the oldest lighthouse in the Azores, magnificent viewpoints, and rural villages, making it an idyllic escape from the everyday. Nordeste is a great base for those seeking an escape in nature, without large hotels and a chance to get off the beaten path.
Casa do Cinzeiro
A two-bedroom countryside casa with a private pool in the heart of Cinzeiro village. The villa has wonderful views of the surrounding rural setting. While Casa do Cinzeiro has a traditional exterior, the interior has modern touches with the use of natural materials as a nod to its location.
BOOK YOUR STAY | Casa do Cinzeiro
Casa de Vivian and Michael
Northwest of Nordeste village, located in Lomba da Fazenda, Casa de Vivian and Michael features an inflatable hot tub—ideal for those aching limbs after a day out exploring. The Casa has all the mod cons, a fully equipped kitchen, and a washing machine.
BOOK YOUR STAY | Casa de Vivian and Michael
Coração da Quinta
Coração da Quinta Villa benefits from breathtaking sea views and is conveniently located around 7 km from Nordeste village and near Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park.
BOOK YOUR STAY | Coração da Quinta
PovoÇÃo
Povoação is found on the southeastern corner of São Miguel Island, benefitting from the best of mountains and ocean. It’s a little more off the beaten track with access to nearby beaches and waterfalls, which make for a beautiful hike. The first colony of São Miguel was located on this part of the island in 1427 when Diogo da Silva discovered the Azores.
Casa do sanguinho
Casa do Sanguinho is a great self-catering option in Faial da Terra, one of the most picturesque towns on the island. Staying at Casa do Sanguinho, you will have the whole place to yourself, with views across the beautiful river valley and a lovely outdoor patio space for the ultimate relaxation.
BOOK YOUR STAY | Casa do Sanguinho
Benilde Village House
This Azorean casa has a touch of luxury, with a lovely outdoor swimming pool and a hot tub to enjoy the scenic views of the hills surrounding the house. Other luxury touches include WiFi, air conditioning, satellite TV, and a private terrace.
Furnas
The fiery heart of São Miguel, Furnas village is home to steaming geysers that give a glimpse of what lies beneath. Furnas village is surrounded by nature and is found on the eastern side of Sao Miguel.
The village has an authentic feel with fruit stalls, neo-Gothic churches, pristine botanical gardens, and historic hotels. While in the area, it’s worth visiting Cascata da Ribeira Quente and Praia do Fogo.
Octant Furnas
The sister hotel to Octant in Ponta Delgada, Octant Furnas features a wonderful spa with an indoor thermal pool, an outdoor heated pool, organic spa treatments, and a hydrotherapy thermal circuit that includes a sauna, a Turkish bath, and thermal water from the heart of Furnas.
Octant Furnas is a green key hotel that takes sustainability seriously, using seasonal produce in its À Terra restaurant. Cozido is available at the restaurant, which is a stew cooked using geothermal energy underground.
BOOK YOUR STAY | Octant Furnas
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel is a historic hotel in Furnas, established in 1935 with direct access to Terra Nostra Park, world-famous for its geothermal pool. You don’t have to stay at the hotel to visit the park or the pool, but they close it to the public quite early (4:30 PM when we visited), and after hours it’s only available to the hotel guests.
We experienced a delicious cozido at the restaurant, which has sweeping wrap-around windows that look out over the beautiful gardens. The cozido consisted of sweet potato, beef, chicken, and cabbage, all served with a stew sauce. We’d recommend not eating much before having Cozidio, as it was very filling!
Lagoa
As one of the first places to be discovered when settlers landed on São Miguel, Lagoa quickly grew into an important hub of fishing and agriculture. Lagoa is found on the central south coast of São Miguel and is a wonderful place to watch sunsets.
White Exclusive Suites and Villas
These elegant suites and villas in Logoa are a wonderful pick for staying on the island, with sea views and beautiful contemporary design. White Exclusive Suites and Villas are a great self-catering option where you can enjoy a chilled breakfast, making the most of the included kitchenette while enjoying the sounds of the calming ocean.
BOOK YOUR STAY | White Exclusive Suites and Villas
DoubleTree by Hilton Lagoa Azores
We enjoyed the Mistico rooftop bar of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, which recently opened two months prior. We’d recommend trying the safari cocktail, which is a mix of rum, passion fruit, and orange juice.
The rooftop has a beautiful infinity pool with deck chairs and comfortable seats under a covered area, perfect for watching the sunset over Lagoa. It’s surrounded by the beautiful, green, carpeted hills of São Miguel. Whilst we wouldn’t recommend the food at the Hilton, we did enjoy the cocktails and the traditional cheese platter served with pineapple sauce.
Ribeira Grande
On the central north coast, Ribeira Grande is named after the large river discovered by settlers who moved away from the southern settlements of Povoação and Vila Franca do Campo. Ribeira Grande is a lovely surf town with a charming, laid-back vibe. As the second biggest city on São Miguel, it has a lot to offer and makes a great base for exploring the island.
Experience the heat from volcanic activity near the city in the hot springs at Caldeira Velha and Caldeiras. Admire the beautiful waterfall of Salto do Cabrito and walk around the crater of Lagoa do Fogo, which is one of the best sunset spots on the island. Ribeira Grande has some of the best waves for surfing, especially at Santa Barbara Beach. As you approach the beach by car, you are welcomed by an impressive roundabout of a surfer on a wave.
Santa Barbara Eco Hotel
Santa Barbara Eco Hotel is set on the northern coast of São Miguel in Ribeira Grande, a surfer’s paradise. The hotel opens onto a beautiful black sand beach, with an outdoor infinity pool and beach club. The eco hotel exudes an air of elegance and thoughtful design, which makes it feel in harmony with its surroundings.
We ate one of our best meals on the island at the restaurant of Santa Barbara Eco Hotel; they source their ingredients from their local organic farm. The restaurant has a cosy, intimate feel, with large windows making the most of the sea view and beautiful grounds. Milk cans are cleverly repurposed and used as lighting.
The food was simply fantastic. The Chateaubriand was cooked to perfection and paired with a local Azorean wine from Pico. The starters were served in small wooden boxes, serving butter and olives. For dessert, we had the passion fruit crème brûlée and Malassada, a Portuguese fried pastry similar to a doughnut, which we’d highly recommend both.
