The Lince Azores

During the night, a hurricane passed through the north of the island, but the windows were sealed well and there was no wind whistling through. Free street parking is available near the hotel, and the price is convenient. I'd highly recommend it. The hotel is clean and well maintained, right in the center of Ponta Delgada, close to the old town, large supermarkets, and the road out of the city toward the rest of the island. Reception staff were very nice and courteous. Breakfast was delicious and included a variety of cheeses, cava, fruits, cereals, and local pastries.

The rooms feel outdated, and the spa area was especially disappointing. The sauna wasn't working, space was limited, and there were no robes or water. This hotel didn't live up to its four stars.

We upgraded to superior rooms, but they weren't anything special and the upgrade wasn't worth it. The spa isn't worth paying for either. They charge an extra 4 euros for a swimming cap, which I never had to get at hundreds of other hotels. It feels like a hidden fee to make a few extra bucks. The Turkish spa wasn't working, and neither was a jacuzzi jet. The gym was below average too. Breakfast was okay, but the dinner buffet was horrible, so I wouldn't recommend it. The manager hasn't responded to my complaints either. Total zero. I'll definitely never stay here again. Not worth it at all.

The design is modern inside and out, and the rooms look recently renovated. In low season, half board can be a real bargain, around $140 per room, or $70 per person, with unlimited breakfast and dinner. We stayed two nights. The food was hit or miss: one dinner had great salmon, vegetables, and desserts, while the other served fish with a gel-like texture. Drinks aren't included with dinner, not even plain water, so you pay extra for everything. For the price and standard, some basics are missing, including hair conditioner, body lotion, and a coffee machine. The gym was awful: no weights over 10 kg, no machines, and the treadmill didn't work. I'd recommend it at a fair low-season rate. At other prices, there are better options.