Palacio Santa Catarina Hotel

The Palacio de Santa Catarina is an elegant retreat on the outskirts of Angra do Heroismo.

There’s an appealing contrast between Santa Catarina and the bustle of old town Angra – a quiet sense of space within its protected walls where you can unwind, with the slopes of Monte Brasil and the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop.

It’s a handsome, old estate which has grown with its occupants over many years – the early building was the private home of the aristocratic Corte-Real family. Joao Vaz Corte-Real (1420-1496) was a pioneering navigator and may have been the first European sailor to reach Newfoundland – his sons Gaspar and Miguel did reach Greenland and Labrador. The building’s history took a distinctly different turn when Joao Vaz and his wife Maria passed away, (they’re entombed in the nearby Convento do Sao Francisco) – the palace passed to the Diocese of Angra do Heroismo, becoming the official residence of the Bishop. It still has the presence you’d expect from a building of this age – Popo John Paul II chose to stay here during his visit to Terceira in 1991.

It’s front façade, with its unmistakable double staircase, is particularly impressive as it rises towards the main entrance. Inside, the transformation to create today’s hotel has been handled with a light touch, preserving the building’s former character whilst creating comfortable, contemporary guest bedrooms – thirty-four in total. Angra’s famous protector also provides the view from the outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace, where you can slow down after a day exploring Terceira.