9 Best Hotels in São Miguel, The Azores

On the edge of lovely Lake Furnas, this collection of freestanding cedar villas standing on pillars on a reflective pond is set in a former cattle farm, and the mix of peaceful surroundings and contemporary Scandinavian decor attracts those looking for a quiet, nature-filled getaway. Rooms are light and airy, with wood floors and gray, white, and green accents, and come with kitchenettes. If you don’t want to cook, you can dine at the in-house restaurant, which serves Azorean dishes with their own beef as well as veggies and herbs straight from the hotel garden. Every room opens onto a communal grassy area where guests can relax and admire the views, or opt for a dip in the narrow saltwater pool. A two-night minimum stay is required during high season.

A fine choice for a relaxing vacation in the thermal mecca of Furnas, this modern design-focused hotel offers guest rooms with exceedingly comfy beds and a top-notch restaurant leading to a cool indoor/outdoor lounge perfect for enjoying a cocktail. It also features two thermal pools: an enormous indoor pool topped by a glass cathedral ceiling and a lovely outdoor pool overlooking the forest, both accessible to guests 24 hours a day. Cozy and contemporary guest rooms have dark teal walls and brown leather accents; some include private terraces and plunge pools. The spa also includes a sauna and Turkish bath, as well as a well-stocked gym open to guests any time. Should hunger strike, À Terra restaurant is open all day for snacks and meals.

This design-focused hotel—the hippest place to stay in Ponta Delgada—offers all sorts of decadent amenities: ocean-facing rooms with balconies, a local cheese and wine selection near the lobby, and one of the only full-service spas in town. Sleek wood-paneled guest rooms have splashes of color and mid-century modern furnishings. The in-house À Terra restaurant wins rave reviews for its modern take on Azorean cuisine. Guests have two pools to choose from: a heated one in the spa and an unheated one on the rooftop, surrounded by views of the ocean and city.

On the lovely grounds of an 18th-century farm, this boutique hotel just east of Ponta Delgada offers thoroughly modern comforts including an outdoor pool, spa with sauna and Turkish bath, and pilates reformer room. Good-size guest rooms feature large-scale photographs of Azorean nature and a soothing brown-and-green color scheme; many have terraces or balconies. The delightful Magma Restaurant incorporates local ingredients into its Portuguese dishes, including fruit, vegetables, and flowers grown at the hotel. You can also take a dip in the hotel’s heated plunge pool, tucked inside a greenhouse filled with pineapples.

Tucked away on São Miguel’s less-trafficked west coast, this quiet boutique hotel in a lovingly restored farmhouse with endless ocean views and a peaceful garden courtyard makes a supremely restful place to stay. Soothing neutral-toned guest rooms are located either in the main building or the former stable, plus one separate villa; some have stone patios and private heated plunge pools. Breakfasts are brought to your table (no buffet here!), and MôMô Restaurant serves up seasonal Azorean cuisine for lunch and dinner. You may want to follow a swim in the heated indoor pool with a cold plunge in the unheated outdoor pool, before hitting the sauna and steam room. The hotel can arrange activities such as whale watching, horseback riding, guided hikes, or kayaking at nearby Lagoa das Sete Cidades.

While the Art Deco decor is extremely pretty and the service as friendly as can be, the main reason to stay at the Azores’ first hotel (opened in 1935) is overnight guests’ complimentary after-hours access to the namesake botanical garden connected to the hotel, which includes round-the-clock use of the hot springs pool and two thermal Jacuzzis, all without the hectic daytime crowds. Guests have the choice of staying in either the original Art Deco wing or the Garden Wing added in the 1990s, which features similar rooms (mainly green- and tan-colored with leaf patterns on the carpets) but with lovely garden views; some also have private balconies or terraces. Every room comes with a gray bathrobe and towels that can be brought to the garden pools. There’s also a small spa with indoor pool, sauna, and Turkish bath if you choose to stay in. Though several restaurants are within walking distance, the in-house Terra Nostra Garden Restaurant is one of the best, and the outdoor Gardener Bar serves up tasty cocktails and snacks with terrific garden views.

You’ll get a taste of modern Azorean volcanic style when stepping inside the sleek black-and-white rooms and chic public spaces in this exclusive 11-room boutique hotel created out of a cluster of 18th-century manor houses perched above the ocean. All rooms feature macramé objects created by local artists and mini kitchens with stoves; some rooms contain working fireplaces, and all upstairs rooms include balconies. The sea in front of the hotel is a bit rough for swimming (though snorkeling tours are offered upon request), but the gorgeous heated saltwater infinity pool beckons. There’s no buffet here: a full breakfast with local products is served to guests, who can also opt for a good selection of fish, meat, or veggie dishes for dinner in the charming in-house restaurant (also open to a limited number of outside guests).

This modern, if generic, property just a short walk from the center of Ribeira Grande offers comfortable and sharply designed rooms; large indoor and outdoor pools; and views of Monte Verde Beach from some guest rooms, the restaurant, and the bar. The Terracota Restaurante & Bar offers an extensive breakfast buffet and an eclectic menu for the rest of the day. If you’re in need of more relaxation, choose from an array of relaxing treatments at the spa or try out the well-stocked fitness room.

While this beautifully designed resort sitting between the mountains and the waves of Praia Santa Bárbara is ideal for surfers, nonsurfers will also appreciate the sleek and contemporary guest rooms (some with their own pool or Jacuzzi), the saltwater swimming pool, and the extensive wellness offerings. The modern accommodations come in several sizes, from spacious studios to one- and two-bedroom villas; all have their own kitchenettes. The restaurant and bar overlooking the sea are open all day long and, in season, the hotel operates a beach club serving up drinks and light snacks.