Best Azores Luxury Hotels

Are you planning your dream holiday to the beautiful Azores islands and looking for the most luxurious hotels to stay in? Perhaps you're planning a special anniversary or even your honeymoon. Well, you've come to the right place. I spent a whole month in the Azores, it's no secret I love the place and I've got quite some experience when it comes to picking fancy hotels. So, without further ado, here is a list of the best Azores luxury hotels!

Best Luxury Hotels in the Azores, Portugal

#1. Pedras do Mar Resort and Spa ★★★★★

Pedras do Mar is the most popular luxury resort and spa in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel (Azores main island), complete with a spa and a beautiful outdoor pool. Officially, it is a five-star luxury hotel but in our opinion, in its current condition, it is a pleasant 3 and a half star hotel. That doesn't make it bad, though – if that's what you're looking for, it might just be the perfect place for you! So let's start with the pros: it is actually well-equipped, there are indoor spa treatments, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, sauna, a Gameroom (with a pool table) and that walk along the cliffs where the hotel is located is stunning – aka there's something for everyone! Your first reaction might be to not want to leave this luxury hotel at all because of the facilities... but then the question arises: why travel at all?

Luckily, the answer is obvious! Pedras do Mar is located in one of the best spots of Sao Miguel, with easy access to whale watching (please be conscious of the whale watching tour you choose, as "whale watching can significantly affect the biology and ecology of whales and dolphins", according to studies), as well as beautiful hiking spots (like the beautiful Lagoa do Canário) and more. Rooms are spacious and beautiful with a lovely wooden theme. The only problem you might find is choosing between an incredible Seaview and an incredible Mountain view – both iconic sites in the Azores:

Personally, I'd go for the Seaview. Pedras do Mar offer free wifi, free parking and free continental breakfast. There's a children club included, as well, for families – no pets allowed, though. They have also installed some solar panels recently – nice eco-friendly addition!

Some of the cons: the building from the outside looks like it's from an Eastern Bloc country (some might find that to be discouraging), the staff might come off as a bit impolite or even unfriendly (but do note that the lack of smiles is probably simply a cultural difference), the restaurant is decent but overpriced. Since the hotel is a bit out of reach, in case you want to experience some better (and possibly cheaper) local food or you just want to look around the area, you might need a rental car (or hitch-hike).

Cost: Prices from £75/night
You can check availability here.

#2. Terra Nostra Garden Hotel ★★★★☆

On Sao Miguel Island, the most luxurious hotel near Furnas is Terra Nostra. Furnas itself is an absolute must for anyone and everyone visiting the Azores! It's a dormant volcano that has natural volcanic springs good for bathing, cooking traditional Azorean stews and more. There are many wonderful tours available with local guides, we highly recommend them.

Terra Nostra is the perfect place to visit Furnas from, it's so close that they actually incorporate some of the natural springs of Furnas into the hotel! Yepp, if you stay at Terra Nostra you will actually get to bathe in the natural, healing springs of Furnas, saving you the walk/hike. Furthermore, they have a spa, indoor and outdoor pools and so much more.

This is quite possibly our favourite Azores luxury hotel, the combination of nature and luxury is stunning. Terra Nostra have a free buffet breakfast, free parking and free wifi.

Cost: From £89/night – but book quickly, Terra Nostra is often booked out months in advance!
You can check availability here.

#3. Pocinhobay ★★★★☆

For some, true luxury can only be had when there are no kids around – this is understandable, our modern world is not suited for the combination of work, child-rearing and leisure time. Such a shame! So for an adult-only guesthouse with an outdoor pool and bar, head to Pocinhobay. Pocinhobay hotel is situated on Pico, which has the highest volcanic mountain of all the Azores Islands. Mount Pico dominates the skyline and is just 12 miles from Pocinhobay – making Pocinhobay the perfect spot for day trips to Mount Pico, where you can do so many cool things like a volcano hiking and bird watching. Pocinhobay also features a free buffet breakfast, free wifi and free parking.

Cost: From £171/night.
You can check availability here.

#4. Azor Hotel ★★★★★

Complete with beautiful outdoor pool, delicious buffet breakfast and waterfront views, the Azor is one of the most luxurious hotels in the Azores. Built in 2016, the Azor is extremely modern and even has its own casino! This is luxury in the form of glamour and architectural modernity. It's in a prime location in the Azores: not only is it on the main island, Sao Miguel, it's also in the main city: Ponta Delgada. This is the place to be if you want to go dolphin and whale watching in the Azores.

Cost: From £150 per night
You can check availability here.

#5. Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort ★★★★☆

For those looking for luxury in the form of relaxation, nature and serenity, look no further than Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort. This resort has the absolute best views of those quintessential Azorean hills, which can be viewed from your own private deck. Santa Barbara also has its own pool and spa area. Located on the north side of the island in Ribeira Grande, guests are in the perfect location to visit Lagoa do Fogo (one of the islands three massive volcanos, commonly agreed as the most beautiful one), and Caldeira Velha – natural hot springs where you can go bathing.

Cost: From £198 per night
You can check availability here.

#6. Quinta de Santa Bárbara Casas Turisticas ★★★★☆

Quinta de Santa Barbara offers beautiful waterfront apartments complete with a kitchenette and soaking bathtub. Located on the east side of Ponta Delgada Sao Miguel, Quinta de Santa offers free airport pickup as well as spa services, an outdoor pool and beaches within walking distance.

Cost: £121 per night
You can check availability here.

#6. Whales Bay Hotel ★★★★☆

Another luxurious hotel with a kitchenette on Sao Miguel Island Azores is the Whales Bay Hotel. With exceptional amenities room and wellness centre, you can't go wrong with this hotel. Located on the north side of the island this hotel is close to golf courses, museums, gardens and so much more!

Cost: £111 per night
You can check availability here.

Wrap Up: The Best Azores Luxury Hotels

So there you have it, seven of the best Azores luxury hotels. Hopefully, there's something here for you, whether you're planning a special anniversary, a honeymoon or simply a luxurious trip. There's a great mixture of hotels here from modern to historic, glamorous to eco-friendly and everything in-between. Essentially something to satisfy everyone's idea of luxury. For further information see our other posts on visiting the Azores:

• Medium to Cheap Hotels in the Azores: hotels in the Azores for all types of budgets, from budget travellers to middle.
• Free accommodation in the Azores: with house sitting. We travelled the world for five years straight by house sitting. Find the perfect Azorean house sit for you!
• Best Tours of the Azores: a comprehensive list of the best tours to do in the Azores;
• There are two transport options in the Azores, car hire or hitchhiking - I did the latter and wrote a blog post about it.

And if this list of the best Azores luxury hotels hasn't yet convinced your significant other to take you there straight away for a romantic getaway, show them this video: Top Reasons to Visit the Azores (Sao Miguel)

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ABOUTME

We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.