Hotel Faial Resort | Dive the Azores

Guests Around 260 guests in total
Rooms 131 rooms across 4 grades including suites
Restaurants A panoramic restaurant
Food and Drinks Typical local cuisine and wines
FacilitiesHalitois dive centre on site
Diving Boat diving daily including special trips for blue sharks
Diving Extras Full PADI centre with courses for all
Internet Access Free wifi in rooms

About Hotel Faial Resort

Faial island is arguably the most beautiful of the Azores islands, separated from Pico island by a narrow strait. It's a stunning island, and popular for the almost guaranteed whale and dolphin encounters. But look beneath the waves and you find a new exciting world. Faial has great reefs and walls for divers, but it's the blue sharks that attract most people here. Shallow encounters in blue water... what's not to like!

The 4 star hotel Faial resort is within walking distance of the island's historic centre. It's beautifully laid out around gardens and courtyards, with the added benefit of having the Haliotis dive centre on site. There are 131 rooms spread over 2 executive suites, 4 junior suites, 21 executive rooms and 104 standard rooms. The majority are standard rooms, with twin or double beds, en suite, air con, free wifi, satellite TV and mini bar. If you want more space to relax in, why not upgrade? The larger rooms are extremely good value and usually have sea views - please request at the time of booking.

The restaurant has enviable views over the city and marina of Horta. Faial island was made for exploring. After your diving is done, make sure to spend some time on the island itself, if nothing else to take in the vistas. A day trip to Pico island is ideal for the day before your flight, when your diving is done. But if you prefer a more leisurely pace, the hotel has many facilities on site. There is an indoor and outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym and even a Turkish bath!

Standard rooms

Each room has its own bathroom equipped with shower cabin, toilet, washbasin. The room is air-conditioned, has TV with local and international channels, free Wi-Fi internet.

Suites

Suites are larger and tend to have a sea view

Large restaurant with views over the harbour

Great location near historic centre

We would be happy to put together a tailormade booking for you, please fill in your details below and one of our diving holiday experts will be in touch with you to discuss your plans.

Call us or email to book

Covid Information for Hotel Faial Resort

Covid-19 update coming soon: once this destination reopens, we will update you with the in resort requirements

Country Covid Travel Information

International travel from the UK is prohibited until May 17th. Travel corridors are paused until this point.

On April 12th the UK government will update the rules for travel in 2021.

Portugal, the Azores and Madeira are currently a "red list" country requiring hotel quarantine on your return.

If travelling to Madeira, Porto Santo or the Azores, you must take a COVID-19 test 72 hours before you travel and upload your test result

Complete a passenger questionnaire - After you have completed the form, you will receive a code for presentation to the health authorities on arrival. https://mysafeazores.com/

If you are staying for more than 7 days, you will have to repeat the test locally 6 days after the first test.

If you do not have proof of a COVID-19 test, you will be able to take a test at the airport but remember you will have to self-isolate at your accommodation until you receive your test results. If you test positive, you will have to repeat the test at weekly intervals until the result is negative.

You have to complete this form online before you arrive in the UK from any country:
Form to provide your journey and contact details before you travel to the UK

Updated 25th FEB 2021

Anon

2018-09-25 12:31:15

All round it was a really great trip ...something quite different from the norm and I really enjoyed myself , thought we were (are) a nice bunch of divers! I thought it all went really well, you can't control the weather

Joss

2018-09-25 10:11:19

Blue Sharks with Martyn - For me, it was a trip that was quite out of the ordinary helped not only by being in an exceptional location but also by the relatively small number in the group. The diving was challenging - well more challenging than the warmer waters with which most of us are so familiar but that was the thing - it was different. I think, perhaps like some others, I only got used to it by the last day. I have never done shark diving like that before; hammerheads in the Galapagos whilst crouching in a barnacle-encrusted crevice; tiger sharks in South Africa where they come so close you think you can stroke them but you know you mustn't, but dangling like a chunk of bait on the end of a piece of string with no bottom or reef in sight is something else! It was a thrill to get that classic shot of a sperm whale's tail "with drips" and I enjoyed very much our day out with several glasses of Veuve Pico.

Anon

2018-09-23 09:58:19

Thank you, Martyn, for a great week. Like Joss, I found it challenging but agree that by the last day we were quite getting used to it all. I thought the blue sharks were brilliant and would have loved to have had the third session with them. Such a shame that the weather changed when it did. Never mind, overall it was a wonderful experience. Thanks to you, and Scuba Travel, for organising it for us.

Location

All the nine islands of the Azores Archipelago are located in the North Atlantic. These volcanic isles are scattered along a 600 km stretch of ocean from Santa Maria to Corvo. The islands of the archipelago are divided in three geographical groups: the Eastern Group, comprising Santa Maria and S�o Miguel, the Central Group, including Terceira, Graciosa, S�o Jorge, Pico and Faial, and the Western Group, composed by Corvo and Flores. Each island has its own individual atmosphere and distinctive flair. Typically, the best months for divers are May to October, when the marine life is at its most exciting and the water temps climb to 20-24C.

Covid Travel Information

International travel from the UK is prohibited until May 17th. Travel corridors are paused until this point.

On April 12th the UK government will update the rules for travel in 2021.

Portugal, the Azores and Madeira are currently a "red list" country requiring hotel quarantine on your return.

If travelling to Madeira, Porto Santo or the Azores, you must take a COVID-19 test 72 hours before you travel and upload your test result

Complete a passenger questionnaire - After you have completed the form, you will receive a code for presentation to the health authorities on arrival. https://mysafeazores.com/

If you are staying for more than 7 days, you will have to repeat the test locally 6 days after the first test.

If you do not have proof of a COVID-19 test, you will be able to take a test at the airport but remember you will have to self-isolate at your accommodation until you receive your test results. If you test positive, you will have to repeat the test at weekly intervals until the result is negative.

You have to complete this form online before you arrive in the UK from any country:
Form to provide your journey and contact details before you travel to the UK

Updated 25th FEB 2021

Weather and Climate

The weather in the Azores is changeable! The islands enjoy a mild temperate climate throughout the year and benefit from the Gulf Stream; a current of warm water that heads north east from the Gulf of Mexico. The average air temperature varies between 11 and 26°C depending on the time of year and the surrounding ocean averages between 15 and 23°C. Being so far out in the Atlantic, the islands are prone to rainy days at any time of year, and without these showers of course, you could not enjoy the beautiful flora on the islands.

Travel

Flight options

There are weekly direct flights from the UK with a flight time of 3� hours with Ryan Air and daily flights via Lisbon from Heathrow and Manchester with TAP. Depending on which island you are staying on, you may find you need a night en route in San Miguel before catching your onward Air Azores flight to Faial or Santa Maria.

Stopovers

If you are flying with TAP, you can also add a night or two in Lisbon, Portugal en route.

Arrange before you go

Visa requirements

UK passport holders do not need a visa for the Azores. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with your airline. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here

Insurance

Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation. Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here

Immunisations

Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on travel immunisations: click here

Preparing to fly

Seating

You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.

Check in

Depending on your airline, you may be able to complete check in online to print your boarding pass. If not, we will email your flight tickets to you in advance. You must print your ticket coupon.

Lounge

An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world click here

Parking

Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here

What happens when I arrive?

On arrival please make your way through baggage claim and immigration. There will either be a rep to meet you or you will have full details of your where to meet your transfer (with a confirmation voucher) in your travel documentation. If you have any issues on arrival, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.

Transfers

Transfers are included in your holiday. You will be advised in your travel documentation of how to find your transfer.

Departures

At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. EU passport holders do not need to pay a departure tax.

Info

Tipping

Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.

Currency

The currency in the Azores is the euro. Card payments are accepted, but not in all shops or restaurants.

Phone coverage

The Azores has good GSM coverage but the signal can be patchy outside of the towns. Please check with your provider about data coverage.

Plugs and electricity

Electricity in Azores is 230 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Azores with a device that does not accept 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Outlets in Azores generally accept two round pin plugs.

Extras

Hire equipment

Kit hire is available from your dive centre Haliotis - this is arranged and paid for locally

Extras

Special trips, to sites such as Princess Alice and Banco do Condor/Banco dos Acores, night dives and all kit hire are paid for locally

Souvenirs

The dive centre has a shop on site for kit and souvenir purchases

Nitrox/Gas

Nitrox is available for recreational mixes. This can be prebooked and prepaid or paid for locally.

Payments

Deposits and Balances

A typical deposit for a holiday to Hotel Faial resort is £250 per person, although this will depend on your exact flight option and travel class. Larger deposits may be required for some flight options (eg premium economy/business class).

Ways to pay

We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 2% surcharge. Overseas bank transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions.

Group Payments

If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation

Discounts

Repeat Guests

Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers?
Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.

And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.

5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel, within 24 months
5% off plus £100 bonus for repeat customers travelling with 12 months
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices

Included

Includes flights and transfers, accommodation on a B&B basis and 10 boat dives

Excluded

Additional dives, special trips, nitrox, meals outside of your board basis and and excursions

Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.

Diving around Faial will excite all experience levels. The sites are uncrowded and Haliotis have the largest, most comfy boats to dive from. There are undulating reef reefs, lava tunnels, walls and even a wreck. The Pontao 16 is a firm fave for many divers, with vast schools of trigger fish. But the blue sharks are the undeniable must do dive. We recommend a special trip to Banco do Condor where you can gently drift with these elegant sharks in the shallows.

Haliotis dive centre are one of the region's premier dive centres, with all the experience you need to make your diving trip to the Azores a success. The dive centre itself is situated inside the Hotel Faial resort and right next to the Haliotis Divers' house. They pride themselves on their facilities, including changing rooms, a classroom, kit hire and shop.

Daily boat diving on custom built RIBS
Dive with the resident blue sharks
Huge schools of fish including groupers, baracuda and tuna
Calm sheltered sites for all experience levels
Wreck diving at Pontao 16
Excellent macro

Diving Rates & Prices

If you pre-book your diving as part of a holiday package with Scuba Travel you can take advantage of our special rates and make considerable savings on your dive package or dive course at Hotel Faial Resort.

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