Convento Sao Francisco

The Convento Sao Francisco is a stunning 16th century convent which was transformed into an elegant hotel by your hosts Jose and Manuela.

The décor is minimal: imposing, rough-cut original stone doorways and cloisters are mixed with more modern, local lavastone features and beautifully polished cedar floors. It’s all brought together by Jose’s carefully chosen antique furniture and contemporary art. There’s nowhere really like it anywhere else in the Azores.

There are ten en-suite rooms in all, an elegant communal guest lounge and a peaceful garden with an outdoor pool. The convent is on the outskirts Vila Franca do Campo on the south coast of Sao Miguel. Founded in the mid-15th Century, Vila was the original capital of the island until the great earthquake of 1522 devastated the town. It’s a short walk from the convent down into the centre of town, to the beach at Praia de Vinha d’Areia, and to Vila’s marina: the departure point for our twice-daily whale and dolphin watching trips.