Mosteiros Place

We liked the apartment layout and enjoyed breakfast, and the location was why we chose Mosteiros Place. We wanted to cook in our room during a stay of more than a week, so the broken oven and the way our concerns were handled were a real problem. The oven was checked by the front desk the night we arrived, and we were told it would be repaired, but it never was. We’d already bought food to cook, emailed to ask for a fix and a discount as a compromise, and still haven’t had a reply. If you’re relying on the kitchen, it may not work out. We emailed the manager as instructed and waited a full week before posting, since we’re usually understanding if concerns are addressed. No one replied, apologized, or offered a refund. On an island, things do break and need repairs, but if something goes wrong here, you may not hear back. Our room’s advertised feature, the beautiful window, had a large crack. Nobody warned us ahead of time, offered another room, or apologized. We paid the same as at the island’s best-known five-star hotel, where we had a great experience, and expected better than a two- or three-star level of service. The two pools also seem poorly planned: one should be heated so guests can enjoy it. The Azores weather changes so much, and the water was very cold. Nearly every other hotel where we stayed had a heated pool, which isn’t unusual. We visited in September and wouldn’t expect to use these pools except in July or August, and even then only if the weather were unusually hot. The hotel is spacious if you need room, and breakfast was good. But if service, amenities, and things working properly matter to you, you may be disappointed.

The property looks lovely, with a great view. Breakfast was good, and the pool seemed nice, though we didn’t use it. Still, we gave it three stars because the experience didn’t match the price. The worst part was the mildew or sweat smell on the sheets, towels, and some dishes. We asked for fresh sheets as soon as we arrived, but the replacements smelled just as bad, which really spoiled the stay. If you’re sensitive to unpleasant smells, I wouldn’t recommend it. Some staff also seemed inattentive, and I felt like I was bothering them whenever I asked for something. Vanessa, though, was helpful and kind.

We had to leave during our honeymoon and book another hotel because our room was full of ants and smelled moldy. The desk told us to email the manager to request a refund for the last night we couldn’t stay, but the manager never replied or addressed the problems. That felt incredibly rude and unprofessional. The hotel is farther from the water than the photos suggest, and there’s nowhere nearby to get good food. Room service has very few choices. Getting food elsewhere is inconvenient because the winding roads into town are hard to navigate if you’re not local.

The apartments have lovely views and are nice, but they feel a little worn and could use an update. Breakfast was a reasonable buffet.