Azoris Royal Garden

I wholeheartedly recommend this hotel/resort to anyone coming to the Azores. In the heart of the town, it is walkable to anywhere in town. Our overnight flight meant we arrived at the hotel around 8:00 am so we thought we would stop by and ask if they could store our stuff, but it turns out our room was ready which they pleasantly informed us. We stayed five nights and found everything perfect. The included breakfast was of top quality and large selection. The housekeeping was impeccable. We were so used to getting annoyingly nickle-and-dimed on everything in the US now, we felt great to have no extra charge for things like parking. The desk staff was very helpful with suggestions and opinions on what to do. I was embarrassed I didn't speak more Portuguese, but everyone's English was very good. The garden area (even this early in the season) was a good place to relax, and the lobby areas, secluded outdoor infinity pool, the indoor pool and jacuzzi, the sauna and Turkish bath (kind of a sauna made out of stone) and the gym were all really nice and well-maintained. No complaints whatsoever.

Yoga on Thursdays — yes; Tennis Court — yes; Indoor & Outdoor Pools — yes ; Spacious Rooms — yes (do remember to lift your feet entering the WC); Bountiful Breakfast from 7-10 — yes; helpful & friendly staff — yes; Coffee Maker in room — yes (ask if you want a kettle for tea); Tours can be scheduled from the front desk; Perfect bed — not too hard and not too soft — yes; Lovely gardens with nice music quietly playing — yes; Short walk to town center — yes. Crib available for baby — yes. What more could you want?

Near airport, kind staff, when I return I will choose this hotel

High end hotel, just outside of the city core. Interesting design with internal Japanese garden with koi pond, and an interior couryard as well. Very good buffet breakfast, comfortable and inviting bar. Our room had a view to the south of the city centre and waterfront. Staff are attentive, friendly and professional.

I originally posted this review whilst staying here this December 2025: The room has no kettle ony a coffee machine. I drink tea and need my evening wind down hot drink to sleep. I'm severely dyslexic and find it hard to follow instructions. I live with chronic fatigue syndrome and had to nap after the day tour. I just went down to the reception, granted on the late side around midnight, to ask for a kettle. No kettle available. I asked for some hot water. No hot water available. The man at reception said although he didn't recommend it, I could put water in the coffee machine without coffee tubs and let it flow out for a few minute to clean out the dust and dirty inside the machine. Then use the hot water but he didn't recommend it. I pointed out that I'm severely dyslexic and struggle to follow instructions. I asked if he could come and help me. The reception is empty. He said no. I won't be staying here after this week although he did say I could have a kettle tomorrow. Here's hoping. There is alcohol in the room which I don't drink but no hot water available? Really????? In reponse, I was telephoned the next day by the hotel manager to apologise once this review went up. A kettle was brought to my room the following morning. I was then advised that due to a noisy event in the hotel garden beneath my room and the fact that I slept early, that they would like me to change rooms, I was advised that someone would be along after my day tour to help me pack up and change rooms after 5.30pm. My tour was cancelled, so I tried to sleep the next afternoon. I received 2 x visits from cleaners waking me up telling me that they needed to clean as I should have checked out (?) and a phone call. I then reitereated that I was trying to sleep and I was assured I could keep the room til after 5.30pm. Sometime after 6 somebody came to the room, I had already packed and was moved across the hall to a suite with two bedrooms, one accommodating a four-poster bed that could sleep three-four people and a double room with two single beds next door. There were two high-end bathrooms with two showers and a floor level bath. There was a free mini bar (I don't drink alcohol or many fizzy drinks). This was a really kind gesture to try to make up for the poor service and disability maltreament I believe. I station myself in one of the single beds as the enormous room was cold and I couldn't access the bath as a person with a hip replacement that can't get down to floor level, so I enjoyed the power shower. I really appreciated the gesture but was quite happy in a normal room, just wanting a bit of compassion over my access needs. I do commend the hotel for recognising that the kettle drama was unaccepable service practice from a 4-star hotel. I think what all guests want is friendliness, good problem solving from the staff and basic facilities like the ability to make a cup of tea. Other comments: the breakfast was great - ranged pan cakes and maple syrup and local cheese, to artisan local bread and cakes and fresh juices. Limited range of teas available on the island, mainly locally produced teas (great!) It was imposible to find an Earl Grey anywhere (I brought a few of my own bags). The staff are impeccably polite but many seem almost quiet and too nervous to engage in jolly chat with the guests (bar a couple of specific individuals) so I echo the comments on the lack of overt jollyness but I think it's mainly cultural distance. I'm used to Portuese culture and I can't recommend Portugues hospitality enough for its kind and calm delivery. The beds are very very hard in this hotel, tough hard mattresses so it's not ideal for folks with back impairments or for a comfortable nights' sleep. I woke up multiple times through the night. I felt that the environmetn was fabulous at the hotel but resisted the swimming pool as the obligatory shower cap strangles long hair and is very uncomfortable (not specifcally the hotel's shower caps but in general). But really, I was provided with all the help I need and more. One very nice female staffer (lassie in glasses with shoulder length straight hair - thank you whoever you are) helped me get a delicious Mediterranean sald without meat (vegetarian here) twice from the hotel restaurant. There is a lovely Slovakian lady who speaks Portuguese working there - hello - and thanks for your help too.