Octant Ponta Delgada

Everything was excellent. Customer service was world class

We stayed for 7-nights and enjoyed our time greatly. The hotel itself is very modern inside with contemporary furnishngs and comfortable areas throughout. We enjoyed our spaciuous standard room with panoramic sea and harbour views. The buffet breakfast was more than enough for anybody. The formal evening restaurant was excellent. The "whale watching" bar on the 7th floor was great. Warm and intimate come evening time. Staff throughout were polite and efficient and friendly. Special compliments to the efficient house keepers who were nearly always on hand if we needed some extra coffe pods. And the nightly cookie with turn down is a nice touch. We would recommend this hotel to anyone staying in Punta Delgada despite it being on the edge of town, it is still only 10-15 minute walk to the main town areas.

We are a family of three, and though I was looking to book several months in advance, I was finding limited availability. Octant was rather expensive at €550 per night, for a 9 night stay, but eventually I went with it given the 5 stars and positive reviews. Unfortunately, I did not feel I had my money's worth. Forget about the stars, as I have stayed in superb 3 and 4 star hotels before, but when I pay €550 per night, I do expect superb experience, and this was not. I had several issues, but will list the top 3: the first was around room cleaning; several days we would leave at 8AM, put up the "make my room" sign, only to come back around 2PM with the room not made, and most rooms on the floor having their signs up as well. I contacted reception from the first day, and was given the poor excuse that they prioritize rooms that are checking out. Since this kept happening, obviously it's a sign of being under staffed or poor operations. Second issue was around towel availability in the pool area. We went 4 times to the pool, and regardless whether it's busy or quiet, we never found available towels. The first time this happened, I went to the gym/spa area on the first floor, who told me I actually need to go to the main reception in the lobby to get towels. This is absurd, especially when you're in your swim suit and flip flops! Third issue was taxi booking. Several times I had requested either reception or concierge to book a taxi for the following day at a certain early time, to catch an activity or flight to another island, only to find out there would be no taxi waiting. Luckily it only takes 5-10 minutes to get a taxi, but when you need to leave at 7AM and pressed for time, not a great experience... Talking to locals, I was told this hotel used to be Azores Hotel, and when it became part of the Octant chain, prices went up, and services declined.

Expensive. Balconies overlooking the harbor but situated next to a building site with activities going on till 7 PM. On a busy road. Staff appear friendly but ignore you, or are patronizing and perpetually explain that it’s high season so …. Fruit at breakfast mouldy and also limited choices, very limited gym facilities, and have to walk through the restaurant to get there. All in all and underwhelming experience.