Baía da Barca Hotel, Pico Island, Azores, Portugal

If you enjoy the privacy that an apartment has to offer, yet you still like a hot breakfast waiting for you in the morning, Baía da Barca combines the best of both worlds on Pico Island. This four star self-catering apartment hotel is located in the village of Madalena, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in an upscale area of Pico Island, in the Azores.

Built in 2009, this environmentally-friendly hotel offers 12 apartments, many with panoramic views of Pico Mountain or looking out to the sea. While the energy efficient hotel does offer handicapped accessible rooms, mine was not one of them. I stayed in #2, one of four upstairs units, with 15 steps leading up to the top apartment. Once inside, a cheery living room with fireplace greeted me, with a small kitchen on the other side of the room.  I didn’t utilize the kitchen, so I’m not able to comment on its functionality, but a plus for those who want to keep dining dollars to a minimum.

Baía da Barca bedrooms

My standard hotel room came with two twin beds, with a view of the Atlantic Ocean from the bedroom. If you love to hear the ocean at night while you sleep, this is a great place. If you prefer to sleep in silence, simply close the windows; same goes for sleeping with the curtains open or using the blackout curtains. Personally, I like to wake up to sunshine.

Bathrooms and bidets on Pico Island

I’m a California girl, so we don’t typically use bidets in our bathrooms in the United States. In Portugal, these separate hygiene centers are standard fair in every bathroom. Another bathroom appliance that I take for granted in the United States is a large bathtub. I don’t necessarily consider myself a large American at 5’3”, but this particular bathtub on Pico Island seemed small to me. I did appreciate the large, white towels available in the bathroom, as well as the hair dryer.

Baía da Barca breakfast

Breakfast, served daily from 7:30-10:30 a.m., included scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, yogurt, breads (croissants, as well as Portuguese breads) with several types of local jams available, coffee and juice.

Relax at Baía da Barca

Open the front door to Baía da Barca and you’ll be greeted with a refreshing view of the salt water swimming pool, beyond the pool is the Atlantic Ocean. To the right of the pool, a Jacuzzi and sauna are yours to use. On the left, the double doors to the reception area await, as well as a computer for guest use. A sitting area awaits, in addition to a small dining room, set for breakfast.

Need to know

Depending on the season, standard rooms rent for 100 euros, with panoramic sea views for $140 euros. My stay was in late May, the end of low season. Check the website for current pricing.

Internet access is complimentary – you’ll need a password. Parking is available across the street.

Check-in time: 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Insider tip

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter.

If You Go:

Baía da Barca  351 292 628 750

Lugar da Barca 9950-303 Madalena do Pico,
Açores, Portugal

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. I was a guest of Azores Tourism, Portugal Tourism and SATA Airlines. All opinions are my own.

Related Post:

Things to See and Do on Pico Island, Azores, Portugal