Terra Nostra Garden Hotel sits in the middle of the Furnas valley, next to the botanical garden it is named after, and its biggest draw is the access that comes with the key. Guests have unlimited entry to the garden and can use the large iron-rich thermal pool, which means you can swim early in the morning or after the day visitors have gone home. The hotel has welcomed guests since 1935, and its Art Déco main building gives it a period character that is rare on the island. It is a boutique hotel with 85 rooms, a spa and several places to eat and drink, and it is run by the Bensaúde hotel group, which also operates a hotel in Ponta Delgada.
Location and getting around
Furnas is about forty-five minutes to an hour by road from Ponta Delgada, so staying here makes sense if you want to spend real time in the valley rather than rushing through on a day trip. The hotel is beside the park and a short drive or walk from the lake, the fumaroles where cozido is cooked and the Poça da Dona Beija pools. Most guests hire a car, though Furnas itself is compact enough to explore on foot, and day tours and transfers can be arranged from Ponta Delgada.
Rooms
There are six categories. The Cosy Art Déco rooms in the main building are the smallest and the most characterful, the Garden View and Superior Garden View rooms have balconies over the grounds, the Deluxe Garden View rooms have a terrace with direct garden access, and the Art Déco suites and the Garden House Suite offer much more space. Light sleepers should ask for a quiet room, and families should check the room sizes, since the entry-level rooms are compact. The kids' club and the indoor pool make it workable for children.
What to know
The spa, called TN Wellness Place, has an indoor heated pool, gym, sauna, jacuzzi and steam bath, with massage on request. There is a restaurant, a bar with a terrace for light dishes and cocktails and a sushi bar, so you can eat in without driving at night. Guest reviews praise the breakfast buffet and the proximity to the village.
Private parking is available. In low season, from November, the valley is quiet and misty, hot water is at its best, and the camellias in the park bloom, so it is a rewarding time to stay. Book early for summer, since the hotel is popular, and ask about transfers if you arrive without a car.
Why stay here
- ✓Free access to Terra Nostra garden and thermal pool
- ✓Art Déco main building
- ✓TN Wellness Place spa
- ✓Indoor heated pool, sauna and steam bath
- ✓Restaurant, bar terrace and sushi bar
- ✓Kids club
- ✓Private parking
- ✓Garden view rooms with balconies
Good questions
Do hotel guests get into Terra Nostra Park?+
Yes, guests have unlimited access to the garden and can use the thermal pool. That is the main reason to stay here rather than visit on a day trip.
How far is it from Ponta Delgada?+
Furnas is roughly forty-five minutes to an hour by road. Most guests hire a car, and transfers or day tours can be arranged.
Is it good for families?+
It can be, with a kids' club and an indoor pool, but entry-level rooms are small, so check room sizes when you choose a category.
