Furnas Boutique Hotel

The Furnas Boutique Hotel is a small hotel in the Furnas valley, on the eastern side of São Miguel, in one of the most active volcanic and thermal areas of the Azores. It is included here less as a sight than as a place to experience what makes the valley special: geothermal water, lush gardens, and a setting inside an ancient crater. The valley is known for its steaming fumaroles, mineral springs, and warm streams, and many visitors come specifically to bathe in the hot water.

The hotel was designed with interiors by the Madeira-born designer Nini Andrade Silva, who is known for combining natural materials with a modern, relaxed feel, and the look reflects the volcanic surroundings, with stone, wood, and warm tones. The rooms and suites are comfortable rather than extravagant, and the layout is intended to make guests feel part of the landscape rather than separate from it. Large windows look out toward gardens and wooded hills, and mornings often begin with mist hanging over the valley.

The spa is the main feature. Pools filled with warm, mineral-rich water, fed from the valley's geothermal springs, include indoor and outdoor areas, and guests can soak while looking out at the trees. Treatments such as massages and body wraps draw on the traditions of the area, where people have used the waters for health for centuries. The outdoor pool is especially pleasant in cool, damp weather, which is common in the Azores. The restaurant, À Terra, concentrates on local and seasonal ingredients and uses a wood-fired oven, in line with the island's food culture.

The surroundings are rich in things to see. A short drive or walk brings you to the Terra Nostra Garden, with its large iron-coloured thermal pool and old botanical collection, the fumaroles at the Caldeiras, where the cozido das Furnas is cooked underground, and the lake of Furnas with its walking paths. Hiking and mountain biking routes start close to the hotel. The village is small and quiet in the evenings.

A stay suits couples, wellness travellers, and anyone who wants to use the valley as a base for exploring the east of São Miguel. Booking early is wise in summer, and rates and facilities vary, so check current details. Whether or not you stay, the valley itself deserves at least a day.