T+L’s Hotel Review of Torel Terra Brava in the Azores, Portugal

Portugal may draw millions of visitors—and expats—each year, but the Azores, nine remote islands in the middle of the Atlantic, are one of the country’s best-kept secrets. It’s easy to see why some refer to this archipelago, 800 miles west of the mainland, as the Hawaii of Europe. Here, rainbows are an almost daily occurrence, sperm and blue whales are frequently spotted just off the coast, and surf crashes over hot spring pools carved into lava stone.

Each island has a different character: São Miguel, the largest, boasts a compelling contemporary cultural scene and thermal baths; Pico produces the best wine from grapes harvested in its UNESCO World Heritage-listed vineyards, protected by an intricate system of volcanic rock walls; and São Jorge is a favorite with surfers.

Terceira may be lesser known, but it is historically and culturally significant. Its UNESCO World Heritage-listed capital city, Angra do Heroísmo, was for centuries one of the most important maritime hubs in the Western world. (The city was also the capital of Portugal in the 19th century.) The island is also the de facto cultural hub of the Azores, thanks to a lively year-round schedule of multi-day festivals and events.

So when Torel Terra Brava opened in the fall last year, I had the perfect excuse to head to Terceira for the first time. The new 44-room boutique hotel is the island’s first five-star property, housed in a three-story building on a cobblestone side street in Angra do Heroísmo. And while its facade may blend in with the rest of the city’s historic stone architecture, the interiors tell a different story. The lobby, reminiscent of a living room, is designed with a mix of rattan lanterns, locally made ceramics, antique blue-and-white porcelain plates, potted plants, and piles of books. (If there wasn’t so much to experience on the island, I could have spent hours lounging in the lobby flipping through design books.) The theme continues in the restaurant and its adjacent terrace, also clad in plants and furnished with cozy banquettes.

“The Azores, with its fascinating history and otherworldly landscapes, has been a longtime dream,” says Ingrid Koeck, co-owner of Torel Boutiques, a collection of eight boutique hotels across Portugal. She added that the hotel is best suited for active travelers seeking a luxurious base in Terceira while exploring the island’s extraordinary roads and trails. The concierge team will gladly organize everything from hiking to whale-watching tours and visits to local dairy farms. One day, I ventured out on an amazing hike with a local company, along a trail that forged through slopes covered in spongy moss in every shade of green.

After a day of adventure—swimming in lava-formed natural pools and hiking in a forest of Japanese cedars—it was always a welcome luxury to return to Terra Brava’s stylish comforts and welcoming staff.

Below, my full review of Torel Terra Brava.

The Rooms

Each guest room and suite has a unique layout and design, as is the case when transforming a historic and protected building into a hotel. A palette of deep blues, greens, and reds is juxtaposed with lightweight textiles and rattan furnishings in natural hues. Many second-floor rooms offer beautiful city or ocean views, and some include lounge areas, balconies, private Jacuzzis, and separate living rooms. The Suite Deluxe comes with an in-room bathtub, sitting behind a king-size bed.

Food and Drink

The hotel’s culinary program is highly ambitious in the quality of its cuisine and in its commitment to sustainably sourced ingredients.

In the lobby-level Botaniq Cocktail Lab, mixologists serve artisanal cocktails inspired by herbs and plants native to the Azores. Três bistro, the main dining spot, celebrates the island’s landscapes, both in its design and its ingredients. The walls are painted sage green, the ceiling is draped in green-and-white striped fabric, and rattan lanterns and potted plants flank the tables. Here, sustainably caught amberjack is served with a spicy, bright fennel salad. The charcoal-grilled octopus and limpets are local specialties worth trying. The sommelier was incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the wine scene in the Azores and beyond.

In the morning, the bistro serves an indulgent breakfast buffet of local cheeses and baked goods from local producers.

The Spa

The on-site gym and Calla Wellness & Spa are compact but offer the basics, such as two treatment rooms, a sauna, and a steam bath. The hotel also has indoor and outdoor pools, the latter lined with chic striped chaise lounges and fringed umbrellas. The spa is open to the public, so make sure you book your treatment in advance.

Accessibility

The hotel has public restrooms designed to accommodate people with mobility issues, as well as ramps and elevators that provide access to all public spaces. One guest room is fully equipped for travelers with reduced mobility.

How to Book

Torel Terra Brava is part of the Torel Boutiques collection and the Torel Club loyalty program. Members receive a 15 percent discount on direct bookings, a welcome drink, a bottle of wine or sparkling wine on arrival, room upgrades (subject to availability), and early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability).

Nightly rates at Torel Terra Brava start from 200 euros ($240).

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.