Adega Do Mirante

The worst part was the lack of sleep and the way our early departure was handled. On Friday and Saturday nights, a live band played about 250 meters away until around 11 PM, then a DJ carried on until 6:30 AM. We were hot, sweating, and exhausted, so we left the next morning. The host and manager still insisted we pay for every night, even though we had gone. The shower was moldy and barely clean, and we didn't feel comfortable using the toilet. These things added to the sense that the place wasn't being cared for. We come from Munich and travel widely. Our demanding jobs mean we sometimes choose more expensive holidays and pay above average for good accommodation. That doesn't mean we're spoiled, but cleanliness and maintenance matter a lot when our vacation time is limited. We wouldn't consider returning here. We actually fled after one night, then found somewhere to stay for the remaining three nights at Azores Wine Company, which we highly recommend. We booked early for the end of August, knowing that Pico has limited accommodation and places fill up months ahead. Four weeks before the trip, the host sent a message in Portuguese that at first looked like a standard confirmation. It said the air conditioning was broken. We could cancel without a penalty, but there'd be no discount if we stayed. By then, knowing we had no alternative, we accepted it. Once we arrived, we found the small windows didn't allow airflow. We had to leave the doors open to keep the temperature below 30 degrees Celsius, which let pests, including mice, into the accommodation at night. We'd had four weeks to prepare ourselves for that situation, but the noise became a bigger problem. I hate writing this, but I can only put the host's refusal to discount the stay down to greed and malicious intent. If anyone doubts what we experienced, I'm willing to share a video recorded at 5 AM showing the room temperature and DJ noise. I hope this saves other travelers from extra costs and an unpleasant stay. Despite this, we ended up having a wonderful time on Pico Island at the Wine Company. Hiking Pico Mountain is a clear recommendation, though you should be surefooted.