Sao Miguel, PortugalLagoa
Sul Villas & Spa
Minimalist clifftop villas
Minimalist clifftop villas
Life here runs at an unhurried coastal pace, with stark white architecture that directs all attention straight out to sea.
“the intimate Sul Villas & Spa offers incredible ocean views on its perch just outside Ponta Delgada.”
What it’s good at
Listed
A Turkish bath and massage rituals infused with hand-harvested Azorean botanical oils.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler and AFAR.
Sul Villas, though, is less a surf shack and more a high-design boutique-style resort, one where you’ll likely spend more time in infinity pools and soaking tubs than paddling out to catch the next set.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Santa Cruz village and the town of Lagoa sit within walking distance, with local restaurants serving fresh Atlantic seafood.
The rooms
Local timber accents clean, light-filled spaces where every terrace faces the water. Select suites add private heated plunge pools.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
An outdoor saltwater pool sits along the cliff edge, looking out across the open Atlantic.
The spa
An outdoor hot tub sits on the lawn facing the ocean, and the spa holds a heated plunge pool.
At the table
The dining room looks straight over the ocean, serving regional Azorean plates like bolo lêvedo and seared tuna.
Sul has 12 rooms with wide-screen ocean views and a saltwater pool. The design echoes the colors of Santa Cruz, the village nearby, with black basalt-like sinks and white walls.
How it began
Owner Rodrigo Herédia was a Portuguese national surf champion before turning hotelier and opening this clifftop property in 2019.
Sao Miguel
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.