Quinta Minuvida Orchard Lodge

Our host Armindo was genuinely lovely, and the B&B has a nice feel. Breakfast was fresh and local. The room was clean, though it could have been cleaner. The beds were the problem: really small and old. If you’re over 1.80m, you won’t fit, and the mattresses felt very soft and worn. In our opinion, they should be replaced.

The pets are so cute, and the people who run this place are its best part. They’re always ready to help or listen, and they make great cakes. That first morning, I felt like I was on holiday at my grandma’s. Still feels like a pretty good way to sum it up. It’s a warm, pleasant place made by lovely people.

The garden at Minuvida was beautiful, with fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, and flowers all around, and we stayed in the comfortable Kentia Suite, which felt like home. There were facilities nearby for simple cooking and dining, handy on evenings when we didn’t want to eat out. Armindo, Ana and Angelica looked after us so well and made sure we had what we needed. Breakfast was a daily highlight, simple, wholesome, delicious, and made with fresh local ingredients. When we mentioned a special bread we’d found in Furnas, Joao, the co-owner, arranged it for breakfast. We were there during Carnaval, and Joao and Rimi set up a hands-on malassada-making evening with other guests. It was a fun taste of local tradition. Joao, Rimi and Armindo also shared excellent hiking suggestions and local tips about São Miguel. We had an incredible stay and can’t wait to come back.

Quinta Minuvida gave us an authentic Azorean stay in a former orange plantation. I loved the yoga, the breakfasts made with fantastic local ingredients, and all the useful advice on what to do, including help with tickets. There’s also a well-stocked shared kitchen if you’d rather cook for yourself. I LOVE this place.