In this article, we bring you our recommendations for finding cheap stays in São Miguel, the most visited island in the Azores.
The truth is that the Azores islands are not an expensive destination compared to other European destinations. In fact, you can find well-located hotels and apartments for €50 a night, which is not as common these days.
Still, accommodation always takes up a significant part of any travel budget, so it's helpful to know the best cheap stays in São Miguel—perfect for saving money!
And if you still don't know which part of the island to stay in, don't miss our article with all the information on where to stay in São Miguel, including the best areas and hotels on the island.
We can already tell you that for us, the Comercial Azores Boutique hotel is one of our favorite budget hotels due to its central location in Ponta Delgada, its price, and the charm of its rooms.
Comercial Azores Boutique. (Photo from Booking)
Let's get started with our recommendations for cheap stays in São Miguel, in the Azores!
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Cheap Stays in São Miguel - Contents:
Tips for choosing a hotel
Before we start, here are some tips for finding a cheap stay in São Miguel:
1. Stay in Ponta Delgada
While it's possible to find cheap stays further away from Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel, the reality is that, on average, accommodations are cheaper in this city than in other ideal places to stay, like Ribeira Grande.
Although you can search to compare accommodation prices across the island, you'll see that the majority of hostels, hotels, and cheap apartments are in Ponta Delgada, which makes sense since there's more supply here.
Additionally, choosing the best area to stay in São Miguel is important when organizing your trip, and Ponta Delgada is one of the top choices!
Fortaleza de São Bras, in Ponta Delgada
2. Play with the dates
We understand that it's not always possible to choose your travel dates, but if you can, traveling to São Miguel in winter will be much cheaper than traveling in peak August, with accommodations costing up to half the price.
Plus, if you've read our post about the best time of year to visit São Miguel, you'll know that any month is a good time to visit this Azorean island. If you have the flexibility to choose dates and want to save money, don't hesitate!
3. Book in advance
Maybe you can't pick the cheapest time to travel to São Miguel, but you can always try to book your accommodation as early as possible. It's proven that booking in advance saves a lot of money since prices go up as the travel date approaches.
Also, for years now, if you book your accommodation on platforms like Booking.com, most places offer a free cancellation option, so booking many months in advance is no longer a problem.
4. Consider included breakfast
As we've gotten older, we've started to appreciate certain aspects of travel that we used to overlook. One of these is breakfast at the accommodation. Typically, this option has been an expensive extra, so many people prefer to skip this cost and have breakfast at a café, which is usually cheaper.
However, some hotels stand out by including breakfast in the room price at no extra cost, and the good news is that in São Miguel, this is quite common.
Having the convenience of waking up and having a good breakfast at your accommodation, along with saving on an extra cost, is something to consider when choosing where to stay in São Miguel.
In this article, we'll show you some cheap stays in São Miguel that include breakfast in the room price.
5. Check for parking availability
Traveling to São Miguel and renting a car is the best way to get around the island. Therefore, it's important that your accommodation has free parking nearby, whether public or private, especially if you stay in Ponta Delgada.
That said, you won't have trouble finding free parking almost anywhere on the island, and Ponta Delgada has plenty of public parking spaces in different areas of the city. Choosing a stay with nearby parking can be more convenient, so we'll help you find the best cheap stays in São Miguel with easy, free parking for your car.
If you haven't booked your rental car yet, don't miss the best car rental deals on the island, with full coverage to protect you from any issues!
If you haven't booked your rental car yet, don't miss out on the best rental deals on the island, with full coverage to protect you from any issues!
Cheap stays in São Miguel
Here are our recommendations for cheap stays in São Miguel, all well-located, highly rated, and with excellent value for money.
All of them are in Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel island, one of our favorite areas to stay in São Miguel due to its location, available services, and the fact that most day trips and activities on the island start from here.
Below, we'll discuss in more detail all these cheap stays in São Miguel:
COMERCIAL AZORES BOUTIQUE, our top recommended cheap stay in São Miguel
1. COMERCIAL AZORES BOUTIQUE, a cheap stay in São Miguel
Comercial Azores Boutique is one of our favorite cheap stays in São Miguel, which we recommend as one of the best places to stay in São Miguel.
This boutique hotel has a prime location in the center of Ponta Delgada. It features nearby public parking, a bar for casual meals, and best of all, a terrace and communal lounge for relaxing!
Comercial Azores Boutique. (Photo from Booking)
2. THE HOLY COW - HOSTEL & SUITES, a charming and cheap hostel
This hostel, located in Ponta Delgada, is one of the best budget accommodation options for saving money without sacrificing comfort and enjoying a good bed to sleep in.
It offers private rooms with bathrooms as well as shared rooms with bunk beds. If you're lucky, you'll have a choice between these options, though private rooms are in high demand and rarely available unless booked well in advance.
A great way to save money is the shared kitchen, allowing you to save on meals. It also has public parking nearby.
And best of all... it includes a buffet breakfast in the room price!
THE HOLY COW - HOSTEL & SUITES (Photo from Booking)
3. A-TÍPICA GUESTHOUSE, a typical Azorean house converted into accommodation
This typical house offers a unique experience in the Azores (and cheap, of course). The house has been renovated to ensure guests are very comfortable. It has rooms with private bathrooms and others with shared bathrooms, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
Like the previous accommodation, it has a shared kitchen and living room, so you can also save money by cooking your own meals. Plus, this accommodation includes breakfast in the room price!
However, it doesn't specify having parking nearby, although we don't think you'll have any trouble finding parking in the area.
A-TÍPICA GUESTHOUSE (Photo from Booking)
4. HOSTEL AZORAZUL, another cheap stay in São Miguel
Very close to Milicias Beach, this hostel offers private rooms and shared rooms at an exceptional price.
If you enjoy staying in hostels and don't mind sharing a room, this is a great option! It also has a shared kitchen, allowing you to save money by cooking your own meals.
But what we love most is the rooftop, with a pool and views of the beach that will leave you speechless. Additionally, it includes breakfast in the room price, which is super convenient and helps you save!
And by the way, there's free public parking around, so you won't have trouble finding a spot for your car.
HOSTEL AZORAZUL (Photo from Booking)
5. OUT OF THE BLUE, nature and relaxation in the center of Ponta Delgada
We love this hostel for its location, just a 3-minute walk from the center of Ponta Delgada. Even though it's in the heart of the capital, its garden is full of plants, creating a natural oasis perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring São Miguel island. Plus, it has a pool for cooling off.
Out of the Blue offers both shared and private rooms, some even with balconies. However, private rooms tend to sell out quickly, so you'll need to book well in advance.
And let's not forget breakfast... This accommodation includes it too! It doesn't have parking, but you shouldn't have trouble finding a spot nearby or in a public parking area in Ponta Delgada.
OUT OF THE BLUE (Photo from Booking)
6. HOTEL INSULAR, a cheap hotel in the center of Ponta Delgada
This 1-star hotel is located in the center of Ponta Delgada, in a typical city house. The rooms are simple and functional, perfect for enjoying comfort in the center at a good price. Additionally, some rooms have balconies overlooking the city streets.
If you decide to stay here, breakfast is included in the room price. Although it doesn't have parking, you can park your car in any public and free parking area in Ponta Delgada.
HOTEL INSULAR (Photo from Booking)
DON'T MISS THE BEST ACTIVITIES IN SÃO MIGUEL!
And that’s the end of our post with cheap stays in São Miguel! We hope it helps you find the best option and save as much as possible on your trip to São Miguel.
Do you know any cheap stays in São Miguel that you can recommend? Let us know in the comments!
And don't forget to check out our SÃO MIGUEL TRAVEL GUIDE, with everything you can see and do on the largest island of the Azores!
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