Octant Furnas is built around the idea that the valley's heat is the main attraction. The hotel sits on Avenida Dr. Manuel de Arriaga in Furnas, in the valley that the hotel describes as having the highest concentration of hot springs in Europe, and its thermal pools, indoor and outdoor, are open around the clock. It is a smaller property with about 55 rooms, a spa with ten treatment rooms and a restaurant, À TERRA, that cooks local produce in a wood-fired oven, on a Josper grill and in ovens dug into the volcanic ground. A breakfast buffet and free parking are listed among its facilities, and the hotel is pet friendly, which is unusual for this level of comfort.
Location and getting around
The hotel is in Furnas village, so the lake, the fumaroles, Terra Nostra Park and the Poça da Dona Beija pools are all within a short drive. Furnas is about an hour from Ponta Delgada, and a rental car is the usual way to arrive, with free parking on site. The surrounding valley has walking trails, and the hotel presents the area as a base for hikers and people who want to unwind in nature.
Rooms and facilities
With only 55 rooms, the hotel feels calm, and the pace is built around soaking, treatments and long meals. The thermal pools being open day and night means you can swim at sunrise or under the stars, which is the standout luxury. The spa offers body treatments, manicures, pedicures and wraps, and there is a garden and terrace, bike rental, luggage storage and laundry. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Guests who like to eat in can try the restaurant for lunch and dinner, including dishes cooked underground.
Who it suits and what to know: couples, honeymooners, wellness travellers and anyone who wants Furnas without leaving the hotel grounds. It is a sensible choice for low season, because the hot water and the restaurant make rainy days a pleasure rather than a problem, and it is quieter than the coast at that time.
Families can stay but the atmosphere is calm. Book spa treatments ahead, ask about the underground-cooked menu in advance and check the current room categories, since the room types are not described on the hotel's overview page. Rates sit at the top end for the island, and they rise in summer and holiday periods.
Why stay here
- ✓Indoor and outdoor thermal pools open around the clock
- ✓Spa with ten treatment rooms
- ✓À TERRA restaurant with ovens in the hot springs
- ✓Breakfast buffet included
- ✓Free on-site parking
- ✓Pet friendly
- ✓Bike rental
- ✓Terrace and garden
Good questions
Are the thermal pools open at night?+
Yes, the indoor and outdoor thermal pools are open around the clock, so you can swim early or late.
Is breakfast and parking included?+
A breakfast buffet and self parking are listed among the hotel's facilities, but confirm what is included for your dates when you reserve.
Is it good for a rainy day?+
Very. The pools, the spa and the restaurant make it easy to enjoy a wet day without leaving the hotel.
