Pedras do Mar Resort & SPA — Hotel in Ponta Delgada

This review is targeted toward curious American travelers. I have family from this island, but I still had some surprises.

Breakfast was amazing, but if you are vegan, there are limited options. That being said, there was no shortage of fruits and breads with amazing jams. They also had almond and oat milk options at the buffet. The coffee situation was dire in the morning lol. Our suite had a mini kitchenette so we were able to grab some instant coffee and plant milk from the city and bring it back. There is coffee at breakfast, with plant milk options. But if you're into espresso drinks or any other form of coffee, it's just drip and a nespresso machine. I personally found the nespresso pods tasted better than the drip. Once the BAR opens though, they do have cappuccinos and I do recommend it. They have a real espresso machine and the cappuccinos were so delicious. The cocktails and mocktails were delicious, but whatever drink you order will be presented to you differently from the previous time. Our cappucinos were different and so were our cocktails even if we ordered the same thing. This is ONLY in presentation, not quality. The restaurant doesn't have many vegan options. they had a veggie burger and fries, which we got every time. There is a pasta dish but it couldn't be confirmed as vegan and it likely was not. Just know that if you're vegan! We primarily ate in other places on the island, but still a slight bummer to have limited options at the resort. There are gorgeous little trails nearby that's easy to walk (I'm a clumsy and un-athletic person). The cliffs nearby are just stunning. I had no issue not speaking Portuguese and only speaking English at the hotel (or the whole island) but come prepared with your Portuguese salutations and common phrases! The hotel CAN arrange for a taxi service, but it's pricey because the front desk does take some commission. Since the hotel is at the north of the island, far from the hustle and bustle (ponta delgada) if you did not rent a car during high travel season - good luck and God bless. For high tourist season, it will be extremely difficult getting a taxi up there and Uber is not a thing. Use the Taxi-Link app and get a taxi ordered 24+ hours in advance if you didn't rent a car. If you rent a car: It's VERY hard getting an automatic!! You'll have much better luck getting a manual vehicle. But still, reserve this stuff far in advance and don't NOT get a car. You will seriously limit yourself if you do not. The gym is VERY tiny, so if that's a major feature you'll require, I don't think this will satisfy you. The indoor pool doesn't have a view, and the room it's in is very hot and steamy. It's also crazy shallow (could not be deeper than 4 feet max). The outdoor pool is STUNNING but i went in non-tourist season (april) when it was a bit chilly/windy so i wasn't able to use that one. We had a "sea view" room and the view was really beautiful but the scaffolding below kinda ruined it. I'm glad they did put turf on it to make it more appealing and this isn't really a complaint but if you're extreme in the kind of view you're looking for, it's something that might happen with Sea View suites. The pull out bed in our suite was so-so in comfort. If you have back or neck issues - take the main bed. There is a bidet in the suite. Youtube/Google "how to use a bidet" before attempting to use it. There's a blow dryer...

NOT recommended if you expect a 5 star hotel according to international standards. This is a (barely) 4 star hotel due to its 1) very poor service (front desk), 2) low quality and range of breakfast, and 3) average hotel equipment.

For a more detailed experience, please see below:

1. Very poor service at the front desk:

Experience 1: Upon arriving, we were given a family room with two separate beds, though I booked a double room with a single king-sized bed directly through their website. After realizing this, I went to the reception and asked to get the room we actually booked. Without providing any explanation, we were told that we cannot get a double room on that day, and need to wait for the next day. On the next day, I went to the reception again in the morning, explaining the issue again (apparently nobody took note from the reception), and was told that I had to wait another night, but the „good news“ is that we will be able to get the room we actually booked. No explanation on why I had to wait again. During the entire time, there was no single apology as if it is normal that guests do not get their booked room upon check-in. Very disappointing.

Experience 2: we asked the reception whether it is possible to book us a table at a popular local steak restaurant. The first time I got the reply that this restaurant does not take any reservation. However, I knew that reservations were possible since it was written in Portuguese on their website, and my portuguese friend booked their via phone without any problem. So I went to the reception, asking again whether it is possible for them to help me with a reservation since the steak restaurant‘s website indicated that reservation is possible. The reception staff this time came up with the explanation that the restaurant never picks up the phone, and that we should go there during lunch instead of evening and wait for a table. My assumption for this insincere behavior is that the hotel would like to avoid tourists making too many reservation at that steak restaurant which is also very popular among locals. This made us feel very unwelcoming. It also did not help to improve our experience with the front desk staff.

2. Low quality and range of breakfast

The breakfast was ok, but compared to other five star hotels definitely below par. Scrambled eggs had a weird plastic flavor, and the coffee was drinkable (not more). On one day, we found mold on the cheese (no, this was not a Roquefort). The range of available food is also rather limited for a five star hotel.

3. Average hotel equipment

There was some mold in the shower as well. One could see that the room equipments could have been improved. The water heater did not work properly, and after the experience elaborated under 1, we did not bother asking for a new one. Side note: The pool is small, rather old and in need of some repair. The massage there was very nice and booked/organized by an external party.

Overall, it was a rather disappointing experience for a 5 star hotel, where the number of stars unfortunately does not reflect our personal perception and experience. But if you are looking for a real five star hotel, better check out the ones in...

The hotel is very nice and has a lot of facilities. However these facilities are very limiting when there are a lot of guests staying at the hotel. Pool table - there’s one and it’s great if no one is waiting to play pool or hogging it. Indoor pool - quite small but perfect when it isn’t crowded. The first night we went around 6pm ish and we couldn’t even find a place to keep our towels and robes. It would have been nice if they fixed hooks which would help people who don’t get a lounger. We found the pool was quieter around 8pm onwards probably because it’s dinner time. So suggest you have early dinner and end the evening in the pool.

Sauna and Turkish Bath (steam room) - too small and can get crowded. If you go around 8pm then your good to get it all for yourself. Instructions on the Turkish bath was too complicated. Finally got it working but too many buttons to press. It would be useful if there was just one switch to get it working.

Room - spacious room. We had the sea facing room with a balcony and it was a good space to relax. The mattress was great but the pillows were a let down. I doubled up the pillows and there weren’t thick enough and used cushions from the lounger in the room too. No iron or iron board in the room. I rang the reception to ask for one and they suggested me to pay for pressing service. After I explained that I wasn’t going to pay for pressing service and I wanted to iron my own clothes they agreed to give me an iron and ironing board.

The staff are very friendly and helpful but you sometimes need to challenge the protocols for them to help you out.

Restaurant / Bar - there was live music on Thursday and Saturday at the bar and restaurant area which was very nice. Good soothing music. The restaurant has limited food choices but I found this was the case in many restaurants around the island. Very very limiting on the veggie options. There was one vegan of the day which was penne pasta with vegetables and on another day fusilli pasta with vegetables. Very creative right?

We attended the New Year’s Eve Gala dinner and there was nibbles served with a welcome drink and there were all fish based and did not have any veggie options! The cocktails were very nice and creative. The bar was fully stocked and catered for everyone’s needs. Good collection of wines!

Breakfast - we stayed there for 7 days and the same breakfast was served on all 7 days. We were a bit sick of it after day 3. There’s lot of alternative dishes they could have served like waffles instead of pancakes one day, an omelette station, porridge, french fries, potato dauphinois etc. If your staying here for a week or so, I would suggest you research breakfast places so you can mix it up a bit.

Overall the experience was fair / average. The hotel is very beautiful and the space is well decorated. Staff are very friendly. Entertainment and food needs a...