Azoris Royal Garden is one of the larger hotels in Ponta Delgada, with about 193 rooms, and its main appeal is the combination of a central address and resort-style facilities. It stands on Rua de Lisboa, in the city centre, close to the University of the Azores and a gentle walk from the museum quarter and the old town. The hotel is built around its gardens, which include a Japanese-style garden that gives the grounds a calm, designed feel unusual for a city hotel. Pools are a strong point: there is an indoor pool, an outdoor pool with loungers and umbrellas, a children's pool and a hot tub, so the hotel works in any weather. The on-site Lotus Spa offers massages, facials and body scrubs, and the KOI restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with views over the garden. A poolside bar, a terrace and a café round out the dining options, so it is easy to stay in for an evening after a long day of touring.
Location and getting around
The hotel is in the city centre, so many of the capital's sights are within walking distance, including the museum, the churches and the waterfront. Taxis to the marina, where whale and dolphin trips depart, are short, and the airport is a quick drive, about ten minutes.
An airport shuttle is available for a fee, and bicycles can be rented at the hotel for gentle rides along the seafront. If you plan to hire a car for the crater lakes or Furnas, ask about parking in advance, since it is a city hotel and the arrangements may differ from a resort.
Rooms
The hotel offers Classic and Executive double and twin rooms, family rooms, suites and family suites, with a very large Royal Suite at the top of the range. Rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a work area, a flat-screen television and free toiletries, which suits both leisure guests and travellers who need to work.
Families should look at the family rooms and suites, which give extra space, and light sleepers should ask for a room facing the gardens rather than the street. An outdoor tennis court, a hair salon and a computer station add to the sense of a full-service property.
What to know
The size of the hotel means a lively breakfast period, so go early or late if you prefer a quiet table. The spa and the indoor pool make it a smart choice for low season and rainy days, when a swim and a massage are good alternatives to a wet viewpoint. In summer, the outdoor pool and terrace come into their own.
Guests regularly praise the staff, the breakfast and the cleanliness, and the central location makes it a convenient first or last night on the island. Rates vary by season and room type, so compare categories carefully, and book early for July and August, when the capital is at its busiest.
Why stay here
- ✓Indoor pool, outdoor pool and children pool
- ✓Hot tub
- ✓Lotus Spa with massages and facials
- ✓KOI restaurant with garden views
- ✓Poolside bar, terrace and cafe
- ✓Japanese garden
- ✓Bicycle rental
- ✓Outdoor tennis court
Good questions
Is the hotel close to the old town?+
Yes. It is in the city centre, with the old town, the museum quarter and the waterfront within walking distance or a short taxi ride.
Does it have an indoor pool?+
Yes. There is an indoor pool, an outdoor pool and a children's pool, plus a hot tub, so it suits any season and any weather.
Is there an airport shuttle?+
An airport shuttle is available for a fee, and the airport is about ten minutes away by road. Ask the hotel to arrange it in advance.
