14 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.

Inside a country home built in the late 19th century, this solar-powered adults-only boutique property with a minimalist Scandinavian design aesthetic features Europe’s largest gin library and sushi omakase using fresh Atlantic fish. Owners Ali and Caroline turned a rundown house into a sustainable property, with three guest rooms and one apartment in the main house and four cottages with kitchenettes on the grounds. Another cottage houses the Gin Library, featuring more than 2,000 bottles of gin; it also contains a hidden speakeasy with an omakase dinner on select nights. The owners also started the Ocean Azores Foundation to support marine conservation; a portion of each night’s rate goes to the foundation.

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).

If you want an easy stroll to the major sights of Porta Delgada, you can’t do better than this cozy boutique hotel on one of the town’s most charming pedestrian streets; as a bonus, the friendly staff is eager to help with recommendations on what not to miss. Good-sized rooms with hardwood floors are decorated with basket-woven chairs and a carpet showcasing writings from the Azorean-born poets Natália Correia and Antero de Quental; some also feature inviting outdoor spaces for lounging. A small gym is available to guests, along with a sauna, steam room, and whirlpool tub, and there are two compact outdoor pools, one for adults and one for kids.

The decor at this aptly named grand hotel overlooking the marina was inspired by the Insulana Navegação shipping company, which sailed between Lisbon, Madeira, the Azores, and the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries; elegant guest rooms and public areas featuring shipping photos and maps further evoke the nautical theme. Some of the comfortable rooms include balconies with water views; bathrooms feature wood details and brass fittings. The sophisticated bar serves lunch and dinner, while dinner is available in the Balcony restaurant. Guests have access to a small gym and a large-sized indoor swimming pool, and can stroll along the waterfront to the center of town.

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.

Located about halfway between Ponta Delgada and Furnas, this expansive hotel close to the charming village of Vila Franca do Campo is chock-full of amenities, including tennis courts, a playground, and an outdoor pool area, to name a few. It sits right on one of the nicest beaches in São Miguel, Praia de Áqua d’Alta. A tad old-fashioned, the spacious guest rooms offer ocean or garden views; all include private balconies. The outdoor pool, though not heated, has a pool bar offering drinks, plus the restaurant includes an outdoor terrace where guests can dine all day long.

An interesting blend of a rustic farmhouse setting and contemporary furnishings, this unique boutique hotel created out of several 17th-century buildings hosts artists for five months out of the year, with the wonderful results displayed throughout the property. Three apartments and three slightly larger lofts are located in the former tea factory at the bottom of the hill, while two lofts are a short drive or hike up to the top of the hill, near the owner’s house; though all differ in design, many have beamed ceilings and fireplaces, and all have their own kitchens. For a small fee, a hearty breakfast in a basket is delivered directly to your 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.