Read this Travel Honey guide to choosing the best Sao Miguel hotel or accommodation. We’ve spent many months traveling in Sao Miguel, so we’ll give you the best inside scoop on each accommodation!
Ponta Delgada is on Sao Miguel Island and is the largest city in the Azores. If you’re visiting the Azores for the first time, Ponta Delgada is a great place to stay. It’s also only a short drive to the Ponta Delgada airport and it has the best restaurant choices.
Sao Miguel hotels are more affordable than most other European countries, especially if you don’t visit in the summer. If you do visit in the summer, book ahead for the largest selection. Most São Miguel hotels, especially the nicer ones, include a breakfast with your stay. We’ve listed below some of our favorite Ponta Delgada hotel options and hotels on other parts of São Miguel Island, because if you have more than a few days, staying outside Ponta Delgada is a good way to experience the island!
To get the full reviews of 35+ accommodation options including a lodging map, check out the Travel Honey Sao Miguel Hotel and Lodging Guide. And if you want more information about Sao Miguel, then check out the Travel Honey Sao Miguel 7 day itinerary, map and regional guide. The regional guide has everything to eat, do and see in each part of Sao Miguel while the detailed Sao Miguel itinerary shows our favorite way to spend 7 days on the island and includes an interactive Google Map.
Sao Miguel Hotels: Ponta Delgada
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Ponta Delgada is the largest city in the Azores and where you’ll find the most São Miguel accommodation options. Ponta Delgada is also home to most restaurants, both the traditional and the more modern, and has the only nightlife on the Island. Despite being the largest city in the Azores, the city center has mostly 2-3 floor buildings and maintains a charming feel.
Stay at least a couple days in Ponta Delgada unless you really want to get away from people. If you’re not renting a car, Ponta Delgada is also your best bet, because you’ll find most tour operators and taxis. But do yourself a favor and rent a car. You’ll appreciate the flexibility and the better opportunities to explore. The below lodging options are detailed in depth in our Sao Miguel Hotel and Lodging Guide.
Hotels
Azor Hotel ($$)
Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico ($$)
Hotel Casa Hintze Ribeiro ($$)
The Lince Azores Great Hotel ($)
Casa das Palmeiras ($$)
Apartments & Other Lodging
Azores Luxury Rental Properties ($$)
epicenter CITY ($)
epicenter URBAN ($)
Market Place ($)
City Gates, City Lights, City Centre ($)
Stone House($)
If you’re not into city life but want to be near Ponta Delgada, there are great options along the coast to the east in São Roque, Livramento and Lagoa. São Roque is the closest to Ponta Delgada, it’s between a 25-35 minute walk and has a small beach and a handful of tasty restaurants. Livramento is a little further, about an 8-10 minute drive, but it has two big beaches, and a few restaurants. Lagoa is more of a town, with a handful of restaurants, a large public pool built into the ocean, and it’s about a 15 minute drive from Ponta Delgada.
Hotels
White Exclusive Suites & Villas($$$)
Sul Villas & Spa ($$)
Apartments & Other Lodging
Praia de Santos – Exclusive Guest House Açores ($$)
Villa Terra ($$)
Pedra Lima Charming House, Pedra Azul Charming House, and Pedra Negra Charming House ($-$$)
epicenter Lagoa and epicenter Santa Cruz ($-$$)
Azores Villas ($-$$)
Furnas Hotels on Sao Miguel Island
Furnas is a wonderfully quaint town in the middle of São Miguel Island towards the east and is known for its hot springs and green crater lake. If you’re going to São Miguel Island for more than two nights, and it’s not beach weather (or you’re not a beach lover), spend a night or two in Furnas. Furnas also has two awesome design hotels, both with great restaurants.
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel ($$$)
World’s Nests Furnas Pods Village ($$)
Ribeira Grande Hotels
The next biggest city on São Miguel Island is Ribeira Grande to on the north coast. Ribeira Grande is smller and more quaint than Ponta Delgada. The are less food options here and the restaurants are more traditional than in Ponta Delgada. It’s very close to Santa Barbara and Monte Verde beaches. Santa Barbara is known for its waves and one of the best beaches on São Miguel. Monte Verde is smaller but walking distance to Ribeira Grande.
Hotels
Santa Barbara Beach Eco-Resort ($$$)
Apartments & Other Lodging
Other Sao Miguel Hotel Options
The other São Miguel hotel options outside Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande and Furnas are limited. It’s difficult to find a good combination of decent hotel that is near good restaurant options. So it’s best to stick with guesthouse or Airbnb-type lodging and you have to be willing to drive to food. There’s a major road north of Ponta Delgada, so you’ll find some easy to get to gems between Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande like the Minuvida Orchard Lodge.
Mosteiros Place ($$)
We hope this gives you a better idea about your Sao Miguel hotel options. Remember, to get the full reviews of each hotel as well as a map with all the lodging choices, check out the Travel Honey Sao Miguel Hotel and Lodging Guide. And if you want more information about Sao Miguel, then check out the Travel Honey Sao Miguel 7 day itinerary, map and regional guide which details everything to eat, do and see in each part of Sao Miguel while the Sao Miguel itinerary shows our favorite way to spend 7 days on the island and includes an interactive Google Map. Happy exploring!