Casa Areal de Santa Barbara

The staff were nice, and the triple room was pleasant. It may feel a bit small for three, but it worked for a few nights if you're not a Hollywood star. Breakfast was included and okay, though it was the worst we had in Sao Miguel. One drawback: the shared bathroom is downstairs, which would be really inconvenient if you're traveling with older people. There's also a large road behind the property, and you can hear cars driving over a metal grate.

We expected less from breakfast, so that was a pleasant surprise. The walls are thin and our room was near the door, but the other guests were considerate and we barely heard any noise. We really enjoyed staying here.

The room was average and only had the basics, and the bed felt a bit too soft. We weren't told how breakfast worked beyond the message saying where to find it. It was very simple, with no service, and the coffee wasn't ready when we went down.

If you're out all day and mainly need somewhere to sleep, this is a good place. Rooms were clean and room service was great, with fresh sheets every day. The garden terrace is lovely for chatting outside in the evening, and the kitchen is basic but functional. Breakfast was okay, and the two bathrooms per house were enough most of the time, though sometimes we had to wait. It felt like good value for staying in the Azores, with everything close by, including a beautiful beach reachable by car. The rooms could use more space for unpacking clothes, and I missed having a washing machine. There are lines outside to hang laundry, but no machine. We also didn't really notice a lack of privacy. All in all, I'd rate the stay 4.5/5.