What it is

A 123-room modernist gem with a glimmering rooftop pool and a foodie bent.

What it isn't

Far from the beach; Azor is set directly on Ponta Delgada’s marina, where superyachts bob.

What we think

With a view this postcard-perfect, where lush forests tumble towards turquoise seas, maximalist interiors could detract. Which is why these rooms, as pristine and minimal as the Tate Britain with their strawberry blonde wood walls and streamlined furniture, are so appealing. But simplicity doesn’t equate to stark—these are as luxe as they come, with marble-lined bathrooms (fitted with Green Park by Molton Brown toiletries), Bluetooth speakers, a private balcony, and custom linens swathing the downy beds. Of course, you didn’t come all this way to be holed up in your room, and the hotel has a multitude of lures in its common areas, including a wine and cheese corner stocked with local fan favorites in the lobby’s food hall. On the seventh story roof, adjacent to the panoramic pool? A bar tailor-made for whale watching, since the Azoras are a migration route for 25 species of whales and dolphins. We’re not kidding.

You're here because

You hate to admit it, but you get hangry fast, and need a hotel that’s got all manner of foodstuffs at-the-ready for you. So their expertly curated food hall—complete with various ice cream and other locally made sundries—has you salivating.

The Moment

Perched in a copper-wrapped char in the Whale Watching Rooftop Bar, you take a sip of your G&T—and hold your breath. Was that a sei whale frolicking in the sea beyond those yachts? And was it the size of those yachts? Yes, yes it was. Wow.

Restaurants & Bars

À Terra Restaurant - A farm-to-table dining experience featuring local Azorean ingredients, wood-fired dishes, and creative takes on regional specialties

Rooftop Bar - A chic spot for cocktails, wines, and light bites with panoramic views of the ocean and Ponta Delgada’s skyline

Location

On volcanic Azores Island, just half a mile from Ponta Delgada’s city center and 15 miles away from the volcanic twin likes Lagoa das Sete Cidades. Hotel staffers can also point you to some 60 different marked trails should you require, say, a post-flight hike to a towering waterfall.