Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort

sao miguel, the azores

THE PERSONALITIES

Adventure lovers. Surfers. Explorers. Bird Watchers.

MOMENTS

Design that is part of the landscape. Floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic. Watching surf breaks at sunset. Just ocean, mountains and you.

BEST VISITING MONTHS

June to September.

COST 

WHY STAY

Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort is a remote retreat located on the north coast of Sao Miguel, the largest of the Azores Islands, between the mountains and Santa Bárbara beach.

Choose one of 30 modern villas, designed with nature in mind, with dark concrete and driftwood accents, as well as Azores Islands volcanic rock. Enjoy views of the beach and the mountain range near Lagoa do Fogo. Relax in the saltwater infinity pool to the sound of the waves. Get a massage in front of the sea.

WHY WANDER

São Miguel is known for its lakes, volcanoes and rich marine life. Hike to Vista do Rei or Miradouro da Boca do Inferno viewpoints for a 360-degree nature experience. See the infamous twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades, one green and one blue. Spot Rasa and Santiago lagoons, as well as Sete Cidades crater, formed 22,000 years ago. Bike along the lagoon or kayak across the lake. Hike inside a dormant volcano crater. Visit the Furnas hot springs (Caldeiras). Swim in Ponta da Ferraria, a geo-thermal natural spring, surrounded by lava rocks. If visiting between April and June, go whale watching. Hike through Ribeira dos Caldeirões - home to some of the best waterfalls on the island. At last, make sure to sunbath at Vila Franca Islet - famous for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.

INDULGE IN

Try “bolo-lêvedo” from Furnas or the special bread from Ribeira Grande. Visit the onsite sushi bar for fresh fish. Try Kima, a local passion-fruit soda.

GETTING THERE

Rent a car for a short beautiful drive.

WILD INITIATIVES

The resort is committed to sustainability practices that harmonize with the pristine natural environment of the Azores archipelago. The resort embraces eco-friendly initiatives to minimize its ecological footprint, incorporating renewable energy sources, water conservation measures, and waste reduction strategies. With a dedication to preserving the unique Azorean biodiversity, the resort engages in responsible land management and supports local conservation efforts. Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort aims to offer guests a luxurious yet environmentally conscious experience, showcasing that sustainable practices can coexist seamlessly with high-quality hospitality. From the design of the accommodations to daily operations, the resort strives to be a steward of the Azores' extraordinary natural beauty.

*Photos property of Santa Barbara Eco Beach Resort

White Exclusive Suites & Villas

São Miguel, Azores

THE PERSONALITIES

Couples chasing clean lines and open skies. Ocean lovers. Minimalists with a thing for raw stone. Surfing creatives. Nature dwellers with a taste for wine and silence.

MOMENTS

Mornings wrapped in linen, sipping espresso as waves break below. Floating in a saltwater pool under the sound of gulls. Sunset wine on a basalt terrace. Showering with the doors wide open to the sea. Driving inland to find crater lakes, steaming fumaroles, and rain-wet hydrangeas.

BEST VISITING MONTHS

May to October offers warm days, calm seas, and the full bloom of the island’s wildflowers and hydrangeas. June and September are quieter sweet spots. Spring and winter bring misty moods, lush landscapes, and fewer travelers — perfect for hot spring days and fireside nights.

COST 

WHY STAY

Perched above the volcanic cliffs of São Miguel in the Azores, a remote archipelago where the land and sea shape every moment, White Exclusive Suites & Villas is a place to retreat, reset, and remember the power of simplicity. Here, sleek, low-slung villas open to the Atlantic, framed by floor‑to‑ceiling glass and basalt walls that echo the island’s volcanic heritage. It’s a space designed for quiet belonging: soft light, natural textures, crisp linens, and private saltwater pools that dissolve into the horizon.

Each villa is designed for privacy and pause: floor-to-ceiling glass doors that dissolve into the sea, basalt stone walls that echo the land’s volcanic soul, natural textures and warm whites that calm the senses. Wake slowly with filtered light dancing across the floor. Swim in your private saltwater pool as the horizon shifts from mist to sunlight. Stretch out in silence, barefoot and unhurried, with only the ocean and birdsong as your soundtrack.

There’s no pressure to do anything here. But everything is done right — from the linen sheets and well-stocked kitchenettes to the curated local wines and handmade ceramics. It’s all thoughtfully pared back, so what remains is what matters: space, nature, and stillness.

White Villas invites you not just to stay, but to live in rhythm with the island. To sleep deeply, eat slowly, and inhabit the present moment more fully than you have in a while. For travelers seeking beauty without noise, luxury without excess, and a connection to place that feels effortless — this is where you’ll find it.

WHY WANDER

The island of São Miguel is a place where nature feels both ancient and alive, volcanic, untamed, and profoundly cinematic. From White Villas, the whole island opens up like a story waiting to be walked. Drive twenty minutes inland and you’ll find yourself at the rim of Sete Cidades, a twin-lake crater where the water shifts from emerald to sapphire with the light. Hike through forests of Japanese cedar, past waterfalls, mossy stone walls, and steaming fumaroles in the lush geothermal valley of Furnas.

Wander coastal roads lined with wild hydrangeas, stop at a black-sand cove for a swim, or find a natural hot spring tucked into the jungle. Ferraria’s thermal ocean pool, heated by underwater volcanic vents, is just a short drive away, warm even in winter. You can surf world-class breaks, dive shipwrecks, spot whales offshore, or visit Europe’s only tea plantations, where the scent of green leaves hangs in the mist.

But wandering doesn’t need to be far. Sometimes, it’s just stepping outside your villa. Watching the wind move across the Atlantic. Listening to the silence between waves. Letting the island’s rhythm become your own.

INDULGE IN

Wake slowly with a breakfast of local cheeses, fresh fruit, and warm bread delivered to your door. Spend afternoons by your private pool, watching the weather shift over the sea. The property’s honesty bar is stocked with curated Azorean wines and artisanal treats, and nearby restaurants serve everything from wood-fired octopus to cozido cooked in volcanic steam. In-villa massages can be arranged — all you have to do is open the windows and let the breeze in.

GETTING THERE

Fly into Ponta Delgada (PDL) — just 20 minutes by car from the villas. São Miguel is well connected from Lisbon, Porto, and other European cities. Once you arrive, a rental car is the best way to explore — winding coastal roads, volcanic valleys, and spontaneous roadside fruit stands await.

WILD INITIATIVES

White Villas honors the Azores’ volcanic soul with low-impact architecture and local materials. Water conservation and solar heating are standard, while native plantings restore the land. The property sources from island artisans and producers, helping to support a circular, place-rooted economy.

*Photos property of White Exclusive Suites and Villas

Furnas Lake Villas

sao miguel, the azores

THE PERSONALITIES

Nature lovers. Eco travellers. Lovers, families and friends looking for unique and remote corners of the world.

MOMENTS

Greenery, hot springs and lagoons. Craters and volcanoes. Panoramic views of the forest. Serenity and peace.

BEST VISITING MONTHS

June to September.

COST

WHY STAY

Furnas Lake Villas is a boutique retreat in São Miguel, the biggest island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago, surrounded by gardens, mountains, and forests in a volcanic basin that is Furnas.

The 13 modern villas are built with local Japanese cedar wood, and sit on low concrete pillars over a man-made pond. The minimal Scandinavian design is complimented with neutral colours, floor-to-ceiling windows, a self-catering kitchen, and a fireplace. Stay in one of four Oak Studios or one of eight Japanese Villas, covered with locally grown wood called  ‘cryptomeria’ (meaning ´hidden parts´). Alternatively, choose the Chestnut House - a traditional house with a large private porch.

Furnas Lake Villas are the perfect base to start and end your Azores adventure. Enjoy the property’s many hiking trails, the lake, fruit gardens, and the swimming pool. Fall asleep to complete silence.

WHY WANDER

São Miguel is known for its lakes, volcanoes and rich marine life. Hike to Vista do Rei or Miradouro da Boca do Inferno viewpoints for a 360-degree nature experience. See the infamous twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades, one green and one blue. Spot Rasa and Santiago lagoons, as well as Sete Cidades crater, formed 22,000 years ago. Bike along the lagoon or kayak across the lake. Hike inside a dormant volcano crater. Visit the Furnas hot springs (Caldeiras). Swim in Ponta da Ferraria, a geo-thermal natural spring, surrounded by lava rocks. If visiting between April and June, go whale watching. Hike through Ribeira dos Caldeirões - home to some of the best waterfalls on the island. At last, make sure to sunbath at Vila Franca Islet - famous for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.

INDULGE IN

Try Cozido das Furnas - a meat and vegetable stew cooked in the ground by a hot spring.

GETTING THERE

Furnas Lake Villas is a 35 minute drive from the airport. Rent a car and get ready to explore.

*Photos property of Furnas Lake Villas

The Pink House

sao miguel, the azores

THE PERSONALITIES

Design and architecture lovers. Families and friends looking for unique and remote corners of the world.

MOMENTS

White and pink. Mysterious gardens filled with peacocks and geese. Standout modern design. Nightly outdoor fires.

BEST VISITING MONTHS

June to September.

COST

WHY STAY

The Pink House is a boutique design retreat in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, the largest of Azores islands. The property is a restored barn that has been in the owners’ family for six generations.

There are two contemporary guest houses, surrounded by gardens and orchards - The Pink House and the Pink Studio. The two-floor House has kept the timeless aesthetic of the barn with modern touches and is perfect for a family or a group of friends. The cozy Studio is full of natural light and complete with custom-made furniture, a private terrace, a living space, and a kitchenette.

Enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the surroundings woods. Cool off in the outdoor pool. Take in the unique design of your home away from home.

WHY WANDER

São Miguel is known for its lakes, volcanoes and rich marine life. Hike to Vista do Rei or Miradouro da Boca do Inferno viewpoints for a 360-degree nature experience. See the infamous twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades, one green and one blue. Spot Rasa and Santiago lagoons, as well as Sete Cidades crater, formed 22,000 years ago. Bike along the lagoon or kayak across the lake. Hike inside a dormant volcano crater. Visit the Furnas hot springs (Caldeiras). Swim in Ponta da Ferraria, a geo-thermal natural spring, surrounded by lava rocks. If visiting between April and June, go whale watching. Hike through Ribeira dos Caldeirões - home to some of the best waterfalls on the island. At last, make sure to sunbath at Vila Franca Islet - famous for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.

INDULGE IN

Breakfast basket filled with fresh local delicacies delivered to your door in the morning.

GETTING THERE

The Pink House is a 15 minute drive from the airport. Rent a car and get ready to explore.

*Photos property of the Pink House