Senhora da Rosa: Tradition & Nature Hotel, The Azores

• Senhora da Rosa is not far from Sao Miguel's airport and Ponta Delgada's restaurants, landmarks, and beaches.
• Varying room options exist, but for a unique experience, book one of the two Tranquility Garden Lodge, modernized cafuões buildings that housed the former farm's grains.
• Parents can drop their children off at the Kids' Club or with a babysitter (with enough notice) for some alone time.
• Relax at the Musgo spa with a hot stone massage, a sauna and/or steam, and soak in the heated pool fronted by growing pineapples in the property's former greenhouse.
• Enjoy breakfast (included), lunch, and dinner options of updated Azorean dishes from Magma or shared plates of Asian-inspired eats with a view from Mirante's rooftop terrace.
• Magma's bar—a cozy spot to warm by its fire in cooler months—crafts classic cocktails with an elevated twist. 

• Some guests felt Magma restaurant's portions to be on the smaller side.

Authenticity

Set on a 3-acre (1.2 ha) family farm, Senhora da Rosa is a centuries-old farmhouse that was lovingly restored by owner Joana Damião and her mother, an interior designer who infused the space with jade and matcha green tones, family heirlooms, and locally crafted decor. The hotel celebrates São Miguel’s rich traditions through eco-friendly Azorean-made bath products, home-cooked regional dishes served on-site in Magma restaurant (with ingredients sourced from the property's farm), and a heated plunge pool set within a working pineapple greenhouse—an homage to one of the island’s most iconic crops. 

Location

A 15-minute drive from the Ponta Delgada airport, Senhora da Rosa is in a central location on São Miguel Island—great for checking out the island's highlights at opposite ends, including Sete Cidades and the hotsprings of Furnas (both a 40-minute drive away). Closer to the hotel, you can get to the São Roque and Milícias beaches in a few minutes's bike ride (5 minute car ride) and it's only a 10-minute drive to reach the town's main square with its landmark Matriz de São Sebastião church, Carlos Machado museum, and the Portas da Cidade gates. There are plenty of restaurants nearby, too.

Rooms & Bathrooms

São Miguel's landscapes inspire elegant rooms, most notably evident in the nature scenes wallpapered on accent walls (bamboo forests, misty mountains, glassy lakes, close-up of palm fronds, etc). You'll find hardwood floors, pops of varied greens in jewel-toned velvet furniture and throw pillows, and a mix of antique and contemporary furnishings, and some now-decorative, disused pieces taken from the property's farm days on display. All rooms have a balcony or terrace with views of the garden and/or pool, with some having direct access to the heated pool. To really unplug, book the Tranquility Garden Lodge, stilted cedar cabins once used to store grains, and enjoy the open-air shower and bath.

Amenities

Perks include the Musgo spa (under 18-year-olds need an adult), offering everything from couple and deep-tissue massage to Ayurvedic treatments and body scrubs, a steam room and a sauna, a relaxation room, cardio machines, and a Pilates studio. There are two pools: a shallow salt-treated pool on Musgo's rooftop and the heated plunge pool inside the pineapple greenhouse. If you have a rental, there's parking on-site and electric car charging stations, and a car and bike rental service if you don't. There's a "padel" court for racket sports, and a Kids' Club for the littles. Magma Restaurant (and bar) serves a farm-to-table menu of creative Azorean dishes, while Mirante's rooftop prepares Asian-inspired tapas with an outdoor terrace for al fresco dining.

Family-Friendliness

Senhora da Rosa caters to families with thoughtful amenities like it's Kid's Club, keeping young travelers entertained with an indoor playground, toys, and an outdoor schedule of activities, while parents can relax knowing everything from baby baths to car seats is available to them. Parents will find highchairs, kid-friendly cutlery, and flexible dining options for the pickiest of eaters when it comes to meal time. Families will find comfort in the spacious apartment-style Family Suite, complete with two bedrooms (one with bunk beds) and a living room. Babysitting can also be arranged with a day's notice.

Sustainability

Much of Senhora da Rosa's energy comes from photovoltaic and solar panels, while 80% of building materials were locally sourced to reduce its footprint. The gardens thrive with fruit, herbs, and flowers, and even the bath products are eco-friendly and plastic-free, handcrafted by a local soap maker using seasonal ingredients like oranges, lemons, and chestnuts. The hotel's commitment goes beyond the environment, too: guests are invited to join a meaningful partnership with Movimento 1 Euro, a civic initiative turning small donations into big impacts for those in need.