Azul Singular, Faial, Azores - Explore & Book
"This is exactly how glamping should be - only better. Hidden in a dense plantation of palms, ferns and incenso trees, on the lower flanks of Faial’s volcano and a short hop above its rugged Atlantic coastline, are half a dozen cosy tented cabins and a pair of yurts. They're brilliantly designed and comfy too: kingsize mattresses, kitchenettes with Moka machine and toaster, hot drench showers, cosy pellet-burning stoves.Plus, a shared sitting room with honesty bar and a roof terrace looking across the ocean to Pico’s spectacular, cloud-wreathed peak. Each morning, we woke to symphonic birdsong and a beautiful breakfast basket sitting on our doorstep. We felt immersed in nature. Days were spent exploring Faial’s volcanic craters, hiking its levada trails, cycling down to the ocean for a dip in the rock pools, or mooching along the colourful lanes of Horta, the island’s handsome and historic harbour town. After four days we felt completely re-energised, a world away from office screens and traffic delays. This is proper travel: a genuinely pioneering eco-oasis in the Azores, a haven for outdoorsy families and star-gazing couples alike. Highs Faial itself: a magical green speck of an island with 10 volcanoes, 1 traffic light and a true end-of-the-world feeling Owners Pedro and Antonia: hospitable, hard-working, generous to a fault, two true visionaries Irresistibly romantic: imagine a snuggly bed with roll-up canvas ‘windows’ to let moonshine and birdsong in The large cabins are great for adventurous families, with a double and 2 single beds Excellent eco-credentials: green energy (heat pumps with solar thermic panels) and natural building materials (wood and fabric) Lows This is a back to nature retreat, so expect some bugs (moths, crickets), mooing cows nearby, clucking crows at dawn In strong winds or rains, the cabins can feel buffeted; but they remain dry and toasty inside It’s 5 mins’ drive to the coast, 10-15 mins to restaurants (in Horta); so you’ll need a car There's no pool on-site (but there are swimmable ocean pools a mile down the hill)" - Michael Cullen
