Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Resort

The BEST location on the island, on a cliff above a wide bay with direct access to a black, volcanic beach. The hotel is a bit old-dish so too expensive for the facilities but 10/10 for the location. We had the junior suite with sea view which was very spacious, had very comfortable beds and an amazing sunset view. Spacious grounds to walk around. Good breakfast with Azorean pineapple, local cheeses, local baked goodies like bolo levado - a sweet English muffin and queijadas. We slept very soundly with the balcony door open to the sound of the waves and we wish we could have stayed another day just to relax in its surroundings. I also loved the Castelbel bath products and the huge, fluffy towels.

Nothing really. Some Castelbel lotion to round up the toiletries would be nice.

The staff were absolutely wonderful, they went above and beyond. They always remembered me, and my room number, and were helpful in finding taxis, and accepting my delayed suitcase. One time housekeeping didnt come in because I had left the do not disturb sign, and they slipped a card in the room saying they had come by. I really appreciated that! You know they didnt just forget. The food was good, and there was a lot of variety, something different every time. I also enjoyed walked around on the grounds, the beach, and used the pool (though only breifly!) I also enjoyed a massage treatment, which they helped me book! I will be back.

The location was ideal for us, as it was before on previous visits. The location makes reaching any point on the island easy and minimizes driving time. We loved our west-facing, sea-facing view, perfect for enjoying late afternoon sun on the balcony or in the room. The rooms (and bathroom) are large. The bed is comfortable. The staff are friendly and helpful. The breakfast is generous. The parking is easy.

We were never tempted to eat at the hotel other than for breakfast which is included in the room price. The 25-Euro table d’hôte evening menu (too much food for us) requires some rethinking to make it appealing to guests (who all seemed, like us, to prefer dinner options elsewhere). If there is an a-la-carte option, it needs to be displayed as an alternative and equally promoted. Hotel carpeting is getting tired and needs upgrading.

Beautiful garden, great spacious room facing beach, great to sleep with sound of waves and breezes from ocean Great breakfast and dinner buffet, lots of choices. We love the fact it locates off the busy area as we wanted to relax. beautiful landscape, beach and swimming pool. Great for those looking for peaceful nature oriented vacation. Absolutely gorgeous staff, friendly and trying to help, very humble people. parking is very convenient

At first, we got bed cover that may have been exposed to humidity, and smelled bad. But they dealt with it quickly. I think most guests like to open windows instead of using central Air Conditioning because temperature here is really comfortable, so the room bedding are exposed to high humidity. Compared with the benefit of other factors, it is not an issues at all. We will definitely recommend this hotel for families traveling with rental car.

Second review because I extended my stay to stay longer on the island! I stayed in a senior suite, and it was great. Big, with comfortable couch and a great wrap around balcony. I had views of the ocean every where I looked. I took relaxing baths in the bathtub, and spent a lot of time on the balcony wrapped in a blanket just watching the waves. Would recommend, staff goes above and beyond, you can tell they like their jobs!

The shower was admittedly a bit complicated because it had too many massage features, but I figured it out in the end, and am sure you can too!

Overall a very good choice to stay in Ponta Delgada. We stayed there for 3 nights in September. Ocean in the beach near the hotel looked to us as an easiest place to swim, less wavy then other places and so we did. Breakfast was very good at the hotel's restaurant and we had two buffet dinners there and liked it. Very good pool, area around. Parking places are limited, but overall wasn't a problem. The location is very convenient to drive from to any place in Ponta Delgada.

The red wine in the buffet was less then ok to my taste. Also policy for reserve the buffet dinner at the reception or not reserve it, depending whom to ask at the hotel is a bit of confusing.

Location was perfect- central to explore the entire island. Beautiful pool and beach on site with a cute beach restaurant. Gorgeous view from room. Beds super comfy. Spacious rooms. Huge bathroom with massive tub and seperate shower. Breakfast buffet was yummy, but often a wait to get coffee or eggs. Woman at the front desk was very helpful with ideas on where to go and making reservations for excursions. There was a super fun kids activity, like a mini traveling fair with a bouncy house, face paint, etc. my kids loved it.

Some of the grounds needed work. The step going into the pool was wiggly and slippery, so I slipped on my way into the pool and got injured. Later in the trip my husband caught his toe on the path to the beach and fell down pretty hard. Both were minor things to be fixed, but both caused pain. We never reported it because it wasn’t a big deal, but I expect hotel would have been responsive. They were wonderful about everything else.

The location is incredible! My wife and I had the 5th floor (with a balcony), overlooking the pool, the ocean, and the black sand beach. We kept our sliding balcony door open all day and all night. At night, the sound of the ocean crashing on the rocks was beautiful, soothing and refreshing to listen to at bedtime. The grounds are exceptionally well maintained and absolutely beautiful. Available buffet meals for breakfast and dinner (which doesn't include any drinks at dinner).

The lack of some common amenities, ie... coffee pot and microwave in our suite. There is a mini fridge and safe. Two single beds instead of a king or queen bed. No vending or ice machines. Buffet food should be labeled better. The quality of the food isn't bad but isn'tthe quality that it should be for this hotel. Little convenient amenities that are readily available and accessible in most Caribbean resorts are not available in this resort, ie... beach chairs or a beach cart

We can’t say enough great things about the Pestana Bahia Praia Resort! My husband and I just stayed there for three nights and it was fantastic! we stayed in a Junior suite with an amazing view of the ocean, beach and gardens. Sao Miguel is magical but truly, our favorite view was from our room! The daily breakfast was a treat and we apprenticed that it went until 11:00. walking the grounds filled with palms, Birds of Paradise and other tropical foliage was a daily adventure. The location was perfect for exploring the island as the farthest point was only an hour away, with Ponta Delgada only 20 minutes away. The staff was polite and accommodating. If we had to give a negative it would be the beds, very hard and uncomfortable, especially given the quality of the resort. We made do by requesting an extra comforter to layer under the sheets. We definitely recommend this hotel and will hopefully be back again some day.

The beds very very hard and not comfortable.

Location is nice and great view from the rooms. Little roadside coffee and bar on the road outside the hotel is a nice addition also - serves fast food with a view

Gym is almost nonexistent: only treadmill, bike, and free weights in a room the size of a hotel shower. There is no showers on the same floor , you have to take the elevator to the basement, where it is cold, no shampoo , etc on the same floow with the “gym” are sauna and steam room . Steam too was too hot - clearly broken . Sauna - tepid temperature. This whole section was a disappointment. The second disappointment was the bar - it had almost nothing in stock. No vegetarian options on the menu either , except for salad and French fries .