ANC Resort

We liked having a quieter base away from the bustle of Ponta Delgada and Furnas during our 10 day trip. We enjoyed eating in and getting a feel for Agua De Pau. It was handy for hikes, easy to reach from the main highway, and had enough parking. The room desk was broken when we arrived. We were told it would be fixed the next day, but it never was. The restaurant was overpriced, and breakfast outside the room wasn’t available at the time. The hallways also smelled of cigarettes all the time, despite the non-smoking signs. The worst issue was the laundry. We used the hotel service, then packed the clothes when they came back, only to find later that everything smelled strongly of smoke. It could have triggered my partner’s and my laundry, so we had to wash it again at another hotel. When I asked for a refund, they replied, “would like to inform you that there is no basis for a refund, as the clothes were dried and packed after washing.” That was terrible customer service. They never replied to my follow-up email. I wouldn’t stay here again.

Friendly staff and a nice apartment with a balcony overlooking the pool. Ours had one bedroom, a well-equipped kitchen, a good rain shower, and AC that worked properly. The view was lovely, especially at sunset. The big pool got crowded, and its toilets weren’t especially clean. The smaller pool was quieter and had its own shower and toilet. There’s outdoor parking, with spaces by reception for older or disabled guests. They said they plan to build a gym next year.

We found good restaurants and grocery shops nearby, and if you don’t have a car you can walk into the village to catch local buses to other areas. Our self-catering studio had everything we needed, plus outdoor space. It was quiet and comfortable, and the staff were really helpful. A great place to stay.

The room was spotless and the bed was big and really comfortable. The restaurant was modern, attractive, and very good. But for what we paid, I came away VERY disappointed. The hotel didn’t feel like a resort at all, and I wouldn’t have expected so much for even half the price. Our partial-view room didn’t live up to what we paid for: construction and trees blocked the ocean. The hot tub was broken, and there didn’t seem to be any urgency to fix it. There was unfinished construction, and the grass was knee-high. The pools also felt far away. The walk to the larger one was long, and there were no umbrellas, outdoor bar, or music. The small pool was up a hill near the hotel, with picnic tables spread out and no umbrellas there either. Even the entrance was a bit of a trek with lots of luggage. I hope the hotel does well.