Ξενοδοχεία με Gruta das Torres, Madalena

While this hotel is located right in the Marina next to the ferry terminal you are in for a few surprises. Let's start that it feels like you went back in time. The hotel seems pretty old, where you don't even have in room safes and if want to store something you have to ask the front desk to store it in the safe for you. When you hlgwt to your floor there are 2 full bathrooms which makes you think that you are in some dorm room with shared bathrooms, but that's not the case. There were nice surprises as well, where the pool has salt water vs plain old chlorinated. Another nice surprise was the breakfast, which had the cutest pancakes that were made by a machine that most of the people could not figure out how to work. The hotel is pretty clean nevertheless. Another surprises is if you are a light sleeper is the location of the ferry right by your windows which makes a pretty loud honking signal when it leaves and the last one leaves after midnight.

Stayed here for 4 nights and were taken aback by the fact that during our stay the dining room was shut in the evenings. We were advised we could have lunch but we were on a walking holiday and out all day. We were further disappointed by the news that on the Saturday breakfast had to be taken in our rooms due to wedding preparations which seem to take over all the hotel. Initially we were advised that we would have a list of breakfast items to chose from and we could have use of the pool. However come the breakfast it was a basic bread roll, pastry and cake breakfast and coffee was black. Milk and fruit were eventually provided when I requested them. If the pool was really open we would have had to have swum in front of all the wedding guests who were sat at the tables for hours. It was clear that the staff on reception were not giving us the full story and there seemed very few non wedding guests in the hotel. We were very annoyed about this as it was our 40th wedding anniversary that day. It was also awkward when we came back to our room mid morning in our walking gear to come across the bride and her father in the corridor outside our room sorting out her train before going to the chapel which was directly infront of our balcony. We were given a complimentary bottle of wine and cheese board late that evening as a goodwill gesture but only after constant complaining on my part. On a positive note normal breakfasts were outstanding and could be eaten poolside looking across to Pico. Our room was beautiful as was the rest of the hotel.

Nice hotel for stay at Faial. The reception is very good: We were helped with the bags to the room and we could check in the morning too. The rooms have everything you need, unfortunately no real balcony to sit on. Breakfast is simple but good. (Something of vegetable for e.g. on cheese or some noots and pits for in the yoghurt we miss) The service in the restaurant is good and friendly. Dinner buffet is also very good. What we really find top is the possibility of using sauna and steam cabin. Nice for after an activity (such as a hour of sports). The hotel is located on a busy road, central, & at the port. Parking can be in your own parking with a key you get during your stay.