Hotel Do Colégio review, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal

Hotel Do Colégio review, Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, Azores, PortugalFollowing my visit to Pico Island, I flew to São Miguel, Portugal, the largest of nine islands in the Azores. When the taxi driver turned down the cobblestone lined street, I found myself in front of Hotel Do Colégio. This four star hotel has quite the history. Built by Jose do Rego Pontes, this 19^th century building is a good example of urban architecture and has housed many people.

Originally built for a wealthy Portuguese family, the hotel has since served as a private school, a music academy and now welcomes travelers to the city of Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel.

Hotel Do Colégio bedroom — Hotel Do Colégio standard room on São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

Architecture & design at Hotel Do Colégio

In a tribute to this Archipelago wonder, the Azores Islands, Hotel do Colégio is composed and designed with the influence of local basalt masonry, a common decoration in the 19^th century. This form of art may be seen in the doors, windows, stairs and arches of Hotel Do Colégio. The building is classified by D.R. C. (Culture Regional Direction) due to its cultural and architectural value.

Hotel Do Colégio as senior citizen

As all senior citizens deserve respect, it is with this attitude that I look the other way with some of Hotel Do Colégio’s age spots. The carpet in my standard room could use updating and the art on the bedroom wall is sparse – one framed painting of a former student engrossed in her literature – but the hotel staff is welcoming and does offer complimentary internet access in the lobby and paid internet in all of the hotel rooms.

Hotel Do Colégio breakfast — Breakfast is included at Hotel Do Colégio, Azores, Portugal

Hotel Do Colégio overview

There are 55 rooms (1 suite, 1 junior suite, 48 standard rooms and five superior rooms) in Hotel Do Colégio. All hotel rooms offer air conditioning, a working desk space, paid internet access, telephone, safe (request the key at the front desk) a mini bar, cable TV and a wall mounted hair dryer in the combination bathtub/shower.

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Breakfast in former stables

Hotel Do Colégio features a courtyard swimming pool, sauna and Turkish bath. Breakfast is served daily from 7:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in a light-filled room that once served as the horse stables. The hotel price includes a complimentary hot breakfast – scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, meats and cheeses, fruit, yogurt, juice and coffee.

A Colmeia restaurant

I had the pleasure of dining at Restaurant Colmeia, housed within Hotel Do Colégio. The chef’s tasting menu was one of the highlights of my stay in São Miguel. I tasted local specialties such as octopus, blood sausage, tuna, fresh from the Atlantic Ocean, and local beef, accompanied with red and white wines from the nearby Pico Island. I highly recommend this lovely hotel restaurant.

Need to know

Depending on the season, standard rooms rent for 93 euros.

Check-in time: 2:00 p.m.
Check-out time: 12:00 p.m.

Insider tip

My standard room, #225, was an inside room, looking into the quiet courtyard and swimming pool.

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