THE WHITE HOTEL IN THE AZORES WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO PERMANENTLY RELOCATE TO PORTUGAL
The Azores, an archipelago of nine tiny Portuguese islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, feels like a secret. When you meet someone who has also been lucky enough to hike along the ridge of the Sete Cidades crater lake or whale-watch eight miles off the coast in a little dinghy, you instantly bond. The uninitiated simply can't understand.
I visited the Azores in August, when the region gets the least rain, and stayed exclusively on São Miguel, the biggest and most populous island. (Also important: The island is home to the main airport, which means no jumper planes are required—important for a nervous flyer like me.) My vacation home-away-from-home was The White, a tranquil and luxe adults-only resort perched on a sliver of coast overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, it was as divine as it sounds. And yes, I'm here to tell you more about it. So keep reading.
THE QUICK HITS: THE WHITE EDITION
- Name: White Exclusive Suites & Villas
- Location: São Miguel island in the Azores, Portugal
- Cost Per Night: Starting at $405
- Best For: Romantic relaxation
- While You're Here, Visit: The hot springs in Furnas
- One-Word Vibe Check: Calm
- Most Iconic Photo Spot: The infinity pool overlooking the ocean
- Don't Leave Without: Committing the sound of the waves hitting the cliffs to memory
THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS!
Truthfully, when the cab dropped me and my husband off, I was confused. Google Maps told us we were in the right spot, but I couldn't exactly see the hotel. I spotted a huge wooden door along the wall with an understated but chic sign and tentatively pushed it open to reveal...an oasis. I stepped inside a solarium-like room featuring a majestic stone archway, a lush wall of green plants, and a peekaboo look at the ocean. I already knew this hotel was just a little bit magical.
THE ROOMS!
Does falling asleep to the dulcet tones of waves crashing against the rocky shore sound appealing to you? Thought so. The rooms here are all about the proximity to the ocean and the views. We stayed in a junior suite on the ground floor, with a massive window looking straight out into the horizon. Like the rest of the hotel, our room had a calming, contemporary design—all soothing eggshell and terra cotta colors, natural materials like stone and wood, and clean lines with minimal frills. Heaven, if you ask me.
THE AMENITIES!
Not all infinity pools are created equal, okay? Plop yourself at the edge of the one at The White and you'll feel like you're floating in the middle of the ocean. But, like, it's heated and there aren't any scary waves or the threat of sharks.
A stone's throw away from the infinity pool is "the hut," where the hotel offers a variety of massages, water therapies, and more relaxation treatments. Unfortunately, I myself did not partake, but I did see people exiting the hub and their body language made it look like they had recently achieved nirvana.
THE FOOD AND BEV!
We had a lovely dinner at Cardume, the on-site restaurant, where—yep, I'm sure you're sick of me by now—you don't have to give up your view of the ocean. The fruits and vegetables are all sourced from the hotel's farm, and the fish and beef are local (as is customary on the island—it'd be a pain to import everything in!), but the menu has influences from around the world. Breakfast is also big at The White (it's a la carte and delicious), and you can also order drinks and snacks poolside—so, yeah, you'll never go hungry.
THE BOTTOM LINE!
If R&R is your thing, you won't get bored at this hotel—far from it. From the moment I stepped onto the property, I felt at peace. Which is not something I often feel, as a moderately iPhone-addicted New Yorker. I'm already plotting my next trip back to the Azores, and you know where I'll be staying.
2024-06-11T18:26:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd