Casa Ateneu

The location was very good, but the place felt more like a hostel than a hotel. There was no reception, though communication over WhatsApp went well. Breakfast came in baskets in the morning, to eat in the room or the shared kitchen, which lost the pleasant feel of a hotel breakfast. Cleaning was scheduled just once during our week, although they were helpful about extra cleaning when asked. Sound insulation from the hallway and street would also be welcome.

The location is great, and I'd stay here again. It's very affordable, and the host was accommodating when we checked in late. The picnic-basket breakfasts were cute, and they even brought one by at 2pm so we'd have breakfast for the next morning before our 7am flight. My sleep wasn't great, though. People partied in the street all night, and the balcony doors are so thin they block none of the noise.

The main office staff were the best part of my stay, quick to answer questions and incredibly kind. On our last evening, we were worried about printing our boarding passes and getting a taxi for 6am, so we asked for help. The gentleman printed the passes, brought them to our room, and arranged the morning pickup. It felt like having hotel concierge service, and we really appreciated it. Arriving early was easy too: we could leave our luggage safely in the staff room. The entry code and key made check-in quick and simple. The room and common area were very clean, without a speck of dust. The bed was comfortable, and the space was cute. Check-in and check-out were both convenient and a wonderful experience.

The rooms were beautiful and clean, and the comfort was high. Staff were prompt, spoke good English, and provided exceptional service, which is rare in Sao Miguel. Street noise is the drawback: the windows are paper thin, and screeching tires, loud people, and landing planes kept waking us. They should consider improving the sound insulation. Still, it was great accommodation overall.