Novovento

This is a great place if you want to meet people. The guesthouse has such a social feel that it almost seemed like a little temporary commune. Emily was friendly and had lots of useful tips on places to visit. The facilities were clean and worked perfectly, the beds were super comfortable, and we could cook without any trouble. There were free bananas every day, too. I hope I can come back someday!

The house wasn't clean, and the mould was not something I wanted to deal with on holiday. Our bathroom was covered in mould, and our room had a strange smell. There was a bucket in the corner catching water from a leak, near where the smell was, so we thought it could be damp or mould. We had to sleep with the windows open to cope with it, which was freezing in February and March. We'd booked 12 days at Novovento, excited about the place and waking up to the view, but our stay fell far short of what we expected. We haven't come across mould in any of the other homestays or public places we visited in the Azores. When we raised it with Emelie, she didn't try to sort anything out and yelled at us over the phone while she was on holiday. She said the bathroom had looked that way for years and that it was normal in the Azores. She also said the house was clean and we were the first to complain. I don't know what had happened since the previous guests, but that wasn't what we found. We booked directly through the website, which I regretted, since I'm sure Airbnb would have reimbursed us. We didn't get our 30% deposit back, and Emelie threatened to call the police because we were leaving early. It was the worst customer service I've ever experienced. My previous post was deleted, so I'm sharing this again. I've attached photos so you can make up your own mind. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're after somewhere clean, relaxing, and friendly.

The garden and the view are beautiful, and the house really feels like home thanks to the effort Emily puts in as owner. I often stay in coliving spaces, and Novovento gets the balance right between a lively community and having your own space. I'd highly recommend it if you need a pause and a place to get some perspective on life.

The peaceful, nature-filled setting was a big part of why I loved my stay at Novovento Coliving on Sao Miguel island. The house is simple but cozy, has everything you need, and the internet is very good. Emily was a super welcoming host, and I had a wonderful time there. One thing to know is that it's a bit far from most places, and buses don't run very often, so having a car would help. If you get the chance, the hike from there to Sete Cidades is amazing. I totally recommend Novovento Coliving. Thanks, Emily, the community, and the lovely surroundings for a fantastic stay.