Pestana Bahia Praia Nature and Beach Resort is the island's beach-style hotel, set on the waterfront at Água d'Alto in Vila Franca do Campo, on the south coast between Ponta Delgada and Furnas. It has about 102 rooms, all with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a minibar, and the setting is more resort than city: two outdoor pools and a children's pool, loungers and umbrellas, a poolside bar and a terrace with sea views. Guests can reach a soft sand beach on foot, which is rare on an island of mostly black rock and cliffs. A sauna, a steam room and massage services provide a spa element, and two restaurants serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and lighter food, mixing Portuguese cooking with simpler resort dishes. Free parking, an arcade and games room and laundry services complete the picture, and pets are accepted with fees, which is helpful for travellers bringing a dog.
Location and getting around
The resort is roughly half an hour by road from Ponta Delgada and the airport, and a similar distance from the Furnas valley, which makes it a good middle position for a driver who wants to see both. The town of Vila Franca do Campo, with its marina, its pastry shops and the boats to the nearby volcanic islet, is a short drive away.
The hotel is best for guests with a car, since public transport is limited, though taxis and tours can be arranged. Trails and viewpoints along the south coast are within a short drive.
Rooms and facilities
Rooms are practical and comfortable, and many have views of the sea or the grounds. The two restaurants give variety over a longer stay, and the poolside bar is the natural place to end the day. Families will appreciate the children's pool, the games room and the beach, and couples can use the spa area and the quieter corners of the grounds. The resort feels informal, so it suits travellers who want to relax between excursions rather than spend every evening in town.
What to know
The beach and pools are at their best from late spring to early autumn, when the sea is warmest and the weather is most reliable. In winter the resort is quieter, with the indoor spa facilities and the restaurants offering the main comforts, and the south coast is often milder than the highlands. Because the hotel is outside the capital, build in driving time for early departures such as whale watching, and book ahead for July and August, when beach resorts fill up.
If you want a hotel on the sand, with room to unwind and a base for the south and east of the island, this is the best match in the guide.
Why stay here
- ✓Two outdoor pools and a children pool
- ✓Soft sand beach within walking distance
- ✓Sauna, steam room and massage
- ✓Two restaurants
- ✓Poolside bar and terrace
- ✓Free on-site parking
- ✓Pet friendly with fees
- ✓Games room
Good questions
Is there a beach nearby?+
Yes. A soft sand beach is within walking distance of the hotel, which is unusual on an island with mostly black rock coast.
How far is it from Ponta Delgada?+
Roughly half an hour by road, and a similar distance to the Furnas valley, so a car is the easiest way to get around.
Is it good for families?+
Yes. There are two outdoor pools and a children's pool, a games room, two restaurants and the beach nearby.
