White Azores

OVERVIEW

Perched on the rocky cliff line of the Azores’ São Miguel Island, this 18th-century manor turned boutique hotel melds seamlessly into its natural surroundings, offering a laid-back and luxurious experience. White’s nine suits and two villas are accented with expansive terraces and endless ocean views and to hear that the hotel’s owner was inspired by Santorini comes as no surprise, with white-washed walls, polished concrete floors, natural wood elements and cerulean blue and grey accents. While the hotel is arguably a destination in its own right, the natural playground of the Azores is an outdoor adventurer’s dream and truly the main draw. The White experience team excel at curating tailored itineraries for their guests—swim with dolphins and snorkel with parrot fish, tour the island on ATV or bike, trail ride on horseback and hike to hot springs, explore the coastline by kayak or surfboard—whether it’s by land or sea, the menu of adventures on São Miguel Island is endless.

WHY WE LOVE IT

Our favorite hotels are those that don’t compete with nature but rather, let it shine. White allows the ocean to take centre stage; with views from all suites, a zen saltwater infinity pool that seemingly bleeds into the horizon and all meals (farm-to-table and organic) served al fresco overlooking the Atlantic. Don’t miss out on cliffside yoga or a massage in The Hut.

LOCATION

White is nestled cliffside in Lagoa, on the southwest coast of São Miguel Island (nicknamed The Green Island or Ilha Verde), the largest and most populous island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. The hotel is conveniently located just a 10-minute drive from Ponta Delgada, the island’s capital city, and João Paulo II Airport, where flights arrive daily direct from Lisbon. The hotel itself is quite remote, so a car rental is recommended to explore the island and the hotel experience team are on hand to assist in planning your itinerary.