Villa Várzea Hiker Nest

This is a self catering double accommodation with its own private kitchen and bathroom. Ground floor is an open space with eating area and kitchen (equipped with: refrigerator and freezer, oven and stove, coffee machine, toaster, microwave; kettle).

The open stairs lead to the first floor with double bed, bathroom with shower, working area, smart TV, and a balcony with a view over the mountain. Air condition on this floor keeps it fresh in summer and warm in winter.

When you arrive you can park in our private parking for guests, and self check-in anytime after 4PM. Check-out is until 11AM.

Included on your booking:

- Coffee and tea amenities
- Linens, towels and shower amenities
- Free Wi-fi
- Parking space
- Free weekly cleaning, or anytime under your request

Note: You might read about the possibility of adding breakfast on the reviews, but please note this option is no longer available, as I the host am not currently living on site. Sorry for the inconvenience.

The Villa:
Villa Várzea is a centenary Villa located in the West side of São Miguel. Here our guests can enjoy nature and peacefulness away from the crowds. There are cats and birds roaming the gardens, and the beauty of the mountain in the background.

The villa is composed by the Grand House with 3 Suites (Garden Suite, Charming Suite and Country Suite) all with bathtubs but no kitchen, the Horse Stable remodeled into our 3 Nests (Nomad Nest, Hiker Nest and Design Nest) all with showers and kitchen, and our Birds Cabin on the backyard (with shower and kitchen). You can rent them separately, or combined for a group vacation, especially the Grand House which is perfect for groups of 6-8 people because when you rent it fully, you have access to large common areas and a kitchen for your private use.

All guests can use our barbecue area (available in Summer).


Other Details to Note:
All accommodations are self-catering and self-check in. Cleaning and maintenance staff are available onsite during the day for any issues that may arise, and the host is available via phone anytime. At each accommodation you will find an Info Book with all of what to do and see around, you're virtual concierge that will cover most of your questions.

Neighborhood Description:
The Villa is located in Várzea, a very small village just one minute from the main road that circles the island. Sete Cidades lakes and trails, Mosteiros beach and sunsets, and Ferraria thermal pool are all  a 10 minute drive from us.

Walking distance:
Grocery "Sagrada Família" (monday - saturday 9AM-6PM) 150m
Coffeshop "Quiosque Pavao" (everyday 7AM-8PM) 300m
Bus Stop "Várzea" 300m
Viewpoint "Escalvado" 1km
Thermal Pool "Ferraria" 3km

Although a car is not mandatory, it is highly advisable for a couple of reasons:
- Sete Cidades, Mosteiros and Ferraria are all up and down the mountain, making it time consuming for walking specially if you have a short stay;
- public bus does not cover touristic sites (for bus times check the official tourism website VisitAzores)
- If you plan on arriving after 8PM there will be no food options at walking distance, so please come prepared.

We have a car available to rent at the Villa (pick up and drop-off at the Villa), subject to availability.

Bus - Auto Viação Micaelense (check the official tourism site Visit Azores for updated schedules)

Taxi - to/from the airport 25€-30€

…
What´s the best time to visit the island?

We get this question a lot! Weather in the Azores can be anything and everything all year round, although neither too cold nor hot, it can be rainy, sunny, gloomy, foggy, windy, glorious, a drama queen and full of rainbows, a chameleon every day but definitely humid all the time. Both the High Season (March-September) and the Low Season (October-February) have their charms. Starting in May flowers start blooming everywhere, restaurants will return to their normal schedules after the low season, the ocean will get smoother and warmer, also prices will become more expensive for rentals, accommodation and flights. From October onward the greens are even greener, thermal pools will be perfect, hiking trails and viewpoints will not be crowded and of course prices will be more friendly. It can rain, be foggy or sunny at any time. So our question really is not when will you come but for how many days will you stay. You should allow a minimum of 7 days for your vacation, so you can play along with the weather so that a rainy or foggy day will not set you back. Sometimes one part of the island is rainy and the other is sunny, so having time also allows you the flexibility to not follow a set plan.

Cars rentals are usually cheap in the low season (October - February) and expensive in the high season (March-September), so if you are coming during the high season we suggest you book in advance.

Thermal pools are open all year round, and for Caldeira Velha specifically, it’s advisable to book admission online at least a day in advance.

Restaurants will be very busy in the High Season and many of them will have long periods during low season, so it’s always good to plan your meals by checking their schedules beforehand.

We would not advise island hopping for short vacations, especially in winter when your flight can get cancelled due to windy conditions. At least a one week stay is advisable for São Miguel island but if then you have more time you can fly to:

Santa Maria - 2 days
Pico - Faial - São Jorge - 2 days for each island minimum (there is a ferry boat connection all year round between these 3 islands)
Flores - Corvo - 3 days for the combination of both (there is a boat service between them)
Terceira - 3 days
Graciosa - 2 days

The smaller the island, the fewer accommodations and car rentals are available. During high season it’s mandatory to book these in advance.

All islands are clean and safe.

Looking forward to host you!


Additional Rules:
- The Nest is booked for the number of guests stated on your reservation. If you bring more guests you must notify.

- Always contact in case something is not as you expected or if you find any problem during your stay. Reviews describing problems that where not informed during your stay, and therefore the chance to correct them was not granted, shall not be considered.