The Quinta das Buganvilias is quite simply magical. Spending a couple of nights at the quinta, a former organic fruit farm, is a relaxing and unique experience – despite its close proximity to the airport. We were made to feel exceptionally welcome by Ana, whose gentle, generous and helpful hospitality made our stay especially memorable. Step through one of the tall camellia hedge ‘doorways’ and discover a patchwork quilt of wild and overgrown orchard ‘rooms’, with orange, guava, banana, custard apples and other tropical fruit trees. Beyond the orchards are polytunnels with rose trees and colourful gerberas, a chicken enclosure, and beyond that, the quinta’s biggest surprise – wear trainers and take a torch into a long dark tunnel to discover what awaits you at the other end. Although the quinta is right next to Faial’s airport, there are only a handful of flights each day, so for the most part your stay will be perfectly peaceful. Breakfast is a joy. The little breakfast room overlooks the sea. Help yourself to freshly squeezed orange juice, delicious local cheeses, and an assortment of fresh excellent local fare, including homemade guava and loquat jams and fresh fruit salad. We were delighted to be able to enjoy orange pekoe and green leaf teas from Europe’s only tea plantation on the nearby island of Sao Miguel. Our tastefully furnished room shared a kitchenette with another room. We had all the kitchen equipment we needed...The Quinta das Buganvilias is quite simply magical. Spending a couple of nights at the quinta, a former organic fruit farm, is a relaxing and unique experience – despite its close proximity to the airport. We were made to feel exceptionally welcome by Ana, whose gentle, generous and helpful hospitality made our stay especially memorable.

Step through one of the tall camellia hedge ‘doorways’ and discover a patchwork quilt of wild and overgrown orchard ‘rooms’, with orange, guava, banana, custard apples and other tropical fruit trees. Beyond the orchards are polytunnels with rose trees and colourful gerberas, a chicken enclosure, and beyond that, the quinta’s biggest surprise – wear trainers and take a torch into a long dark tunnel to discover what awaits you at the other end.

Although the quinta is right next to Faial’s airport, there are only a handful of flights each day, so for the most part your stay will be perfectly peaceful. Breakfast is a joy. The little breakfast room overlooks the sea. Help yourself to freshly squeezed orange juice, delicious local cheeses, and an assortment of fresh excellent local fare, including homemade guava and loquat jams and fresh fruit salad. We were delighted to be able to enjoy orange pekoe and green leaf teas from Europe’s only tea plantation on the nearby island of Sao Miguel.

Our tastefully furnished room shared a kitchenette with another room. We had all the kitchen equipment we needed to conjure up a meal, which we enjoyed in the garden at one of several peaceful outside seating areas. The quinta has a decently stocked honesty bar that’s full of character, with an old mill and old farm implements, as well as a good selection of books about the area.

We did our own catering, stocking up beforehand at the huge well-stocked Continente Modelo supermarket in Horta, but perhaps you will find a simple snack at a bar used by locals next door to the quinta. Alternatively there’s a restaurant and a supermarket a 20-minute walk away (along a road with speeding traffic), or you could take a taxi to one of several excellent restaurants in Horta – Ana has produced some useful maps with recommended restaurants marked. For a unique restaurant experience of cooking your own food at your table on a hot basalt stone, visit Canto da Doca (booking ahead is advisable) .More