Azores Bombinhas

Pretty good.

The beach is only a few steps away, though the greenery in front blocks the sea view from the first floor. The place has a nice setup, and the room we had was a decent size with a minibar, which came in handy. The shared kitchen only has a sink and microwave, so cooking a proper meal could be difficult. Breakfast has a good range of items, but the menu is mostly the same each day, with only the cakes changing. Daily room cleaning was pretty superficial: they made the bed and wiped the floor, but sand still kept getting tracked inside. They lend guests chairs and a beach umbrella, which is useful. The beach out front gets busy, so some days you need to arrive early to find a spot. The breakfast area itself isn't very large.

The location is a real highlight, practically right on the sand, and there are two beach chairs on the balcony. I did miss having an armchair in the room. At night, there's quite a bit of noise from the street and boardwalk. I could also smell a strong odor coming back through the bathroom drain and in the shower water. I'm not sure if that's typical of Bombinhas or because the inn was full.

The room was spotless, with fresh smelling linens and towels and no musty odor. If you can, the Ilha Pico suite has an incredible sea view. There are beach chairs and an umbrella for guests, and parking works on a rotating basis, so a little courtesy helps everyone manage. Breakfast had plenty of choices, all fresh and carefully prepared. Zilana at reception was so kind and helped with what I needed, even arranging a last minute surprise for my boyfriend. The inn is well located, with shops and restaurants easy to reach. It was comfortable and peaceful, and I recommend it. I'll be back.