São Miguel Park Hotel

The Sao Miguel Park Hotel is atop a hill and not near any major roads, so the property feels quiet and peaceful. The broad structure stands out in this residential area, and is surrounded by an expansive parking lot and neatly kept lawns. Inside, the lobby is bright and basic -- setting the tone for everything about this hotel's style -- with tall windows along one wall that let in plenty of sunshine. Brown wicker couches with pink cushions stand out against white tile floors, white walls, and a white-and-gray concrete staircase leading up to higher floors. A few potted trees and framed minimalist artwork are the only decorative touches. This unpretentious, relaxed hotel draws mostly couples in their 30s and 40s, as well as families with kids. 

Sao Miguel Park Hotel is in a residential setting on a hilltop, without any restaurants or shops in the immediate area. The Parque Atlantico mall is a five-minute walk away and there are plenty of dining options in the historic center of Ponta Delgada, which is 10 minutes away on foot. An inexpensive minibus also makes the trip for those who don't want to walk. The city's waterfront and historic buildings are all within a 10-minute walk as well, including the 16th-century Church of Sao Jose and Forte de Sao Bras, which has a small museum of Portuguese military history. The late-19th-century Carlos Machado Museum (inside the former Santo Andre Convent) is eight minutes away on foot, and has an unusual collection of Azorean art, sculpture, and old toys. Further out, the Casa Do Jardim botanical garden is an eight-minute drive. It will take less than 10 minutes to reach the Joao Paolo II Airport by car. 

The hotel has Twin, Double, and Triple Rooms available, as well as one Suite. Connecting rooms are available. Decor is basic and dated, in shades of red and yellow, with light-wood furniture that includes nightstands and desks. Each room has a small cafe table with a cushioned chair or two and beige carpeted floors. Framed generic geometric artwork hangs above the beds. It's all reminiscent of a reasonably nice hotel from a much earlier decade, but everything is well kept and clean. Many rooms have ocean views, but only some have balconies. Guests recommend requesting rooms on higher floors, facing southeast across the city and ocean. Only sixth-floor rooms have flat-screen TVs, while rooms on other floors have tube TVs, though upgrades are ongoing. Rooms lack tea- and coffee-making facilities, though they all have mini-fridges, safes, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi -- keep in mind that the signal can be spotty. Bathrooms feel dark and are easily the most dated part of the rooms, with chunky brown quartz tiled walls, a decent amount of counter space, and shower/tub combos. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. 

While the style here isn't anything to write home about, the reliable and fairly abundant features (for a hotel in this category) do keep most guests satisfied. The hotel has a year-round outdoor pool surrounded by white plastic lounge chairs and yellow umbrellas on a stone deck. There's also a heated indoor pool with a lap lane in a pleasant room with tall windows and a hot tub. The fitness center has numerous cardio and weight-training machines, though the space feels crowded with equipment. Other features include a sauna, massage rooms, and a salon. 

The restaurant serves a free buffet breakfast daily with a nice variety of hot and cold items: cheeses, breads, cereals, fresh fruit, pastries, yogurt, eggs, and meats, along with tea and coffee and juices. Azorean cuisine is served a la carte and as a buffet for lunch and dinner. There's also a small bar where karaoke is held nightly on most nights. The hotel also has a small snack bar and a gift shop with local items and candy bars. 

One conference room is available, and there's a business corner with two desks and a computer. The hotel has a kids' club in a colorful room with walls painted with cartoons, and babysitting is available for a fee. For older kids, there's a spacious game room with billiards and tables for cards and other games. A large living room on the second floor has lots of wicker chairs and couches where guests can relax. Outdoor parking and Wi-Fi are free.