The Vibe
The spa is the focus at Furnas Boutique Hotel and the property exudes an appropriately serene atmosphere to match. The hotel draws on its beautiful natural setting for an aesthetic that’s big on stone, wood and glass. The look is clean and modern while still giving guests a sense of place.
Earthy colour palettes and nature-inspired murals, including a dramatic waterfall backdrop behind the front desk, further connect the inside of the hotel to its outside surroundings. The decor is fitting, given that most guests come here (and to the Azores in general) with outdoorsy pursuits in mind.
The Rooms
The peaceful, elegant aesthetic continues in the rooms, which are bright and minimalist. The pared-down decor is nearly identical from room to room, all of which are decorated with white walls, dark wood furniture and gray carpeting. Techie features include strong Wi-Fi and wall-mounted smart TVs.
A wall-length long table opposite the bed holds a station with a kettle, coffeemaker and, underneath, a mini-fridge, plus it doubles as a work desk. Bathrooms are sleek and modern, with glass-doored showers, above-counter sinks and Molton Brown toiletries. Comfy bathrobes and slippers are handy for post-shower lounging. Standard rooms average around 20 m2, while suites offer more space to spread out at 50m2.
The Features
The spa, which taps into the area’s thermal spring waters for its hydrotherapy circuit, is the highlight of the property. The spa features large indoor and outdoor thermal pools (the former is set under a striking skylight), along with a Vichy shower and whirlpool and Turkish bath. Many spa treatments incorporate local ingredients, such as exfoliation with Gorreana green tea, which is grown on the island.
Local ingredients play an equally important role at the hotel’s restaurant, A Terra Furnas, which serves up pizza, pasta and Portuguese-style roasts. The open kitchen gives diners a view of dishes being cooked up in the restaurant’s wood-fired oven and Josper (a charcoal grill oven).
The Location
Furnas Boutique Hotel is located on Sao Miguel, the largest island in the Azores, a 45-minute drive east from its capital, Ponta Delgada. The town of Furnas is known for its volcanic activity, home to bubbling geysers and relaxing hot spring pools. It’s a quaint little town with a good array of unfussy restaurant options and a pretty 18th-century church.
The hotel has its own thermal pools, but if you’re looking for other hot springs to soak in, it’s less than a 10-minute drive to the Dona Beija springs. Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, which offers another set of hot spring pools and beautiful gardens, can be reached in 15 minutes by foot – you can pay a small fee to access Terra Nostra’s facilities, even if you’re not a guest at the hotel.
Rooms start at $211 per night
Avenida Dr. Manuel de Arriaga, Furnas, São Miguel, Portugal, +351 296 249 200, furnasboutiquehotel.com
