The term “boutique hotel” is overused and commodified. But at Boutique Hotel Teatro, on the Azorean island of Terceira, the true spirit of “boutique” lodging can be found intact.
What exactly is a boutique hotel? In terms of size, the definition usually accepted is under 100 rooms. But that’s not the point. What elevates a property to boutique status is personalized service, a strong sense of aesthetic, and a unique, unhomogenized character.
Boutique Hotel Teatro has that in spades.
During the recent ACTA International Destination Conference in the Azores, TravelPulse Canada spent two nights at this 18-room property located in the heart of the city of Angra de Heroísmo, on Terceira Island, a small city of 34,000 classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
A room at the beautiful Boutique Hotel Teatro on the Azorean island of Terceira. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
Housed in a restored 17th-century home, the hotel, which opened in June of this year, is just down the street from Teatro Angrense, the city’s main performance venue. It’s a short walk away from ocean views, lush botanical gardens and the 16th-century Cathedral of Angra de Heroísmo.
Despite its diminutive size, the property features a small gym, sauna, Turkish bath and an outdoor pool area inspired by Greek architecture. There’s a tiny bar area in the lobby, and a breakfast room where a delicious spread and warm staff embrace guests each morning.
Diogo Evangelho is the young general manager of the property. His mother Claudia is responsible for the elegant, antique-studded décor, and plays a key role in operations. The rest of the staff may not be family, but they certainly make guests feel like they are.
Diogo Evangelho, General Manager of the Boutique Hotel Teatro on the Azorean island of Terceira. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
It was a seven-year project to restore the ancient building and Diogo says that while his family has operated the popular Tasca das Tias restaurant in Angra de Heroísmo for 20 years and offered rental accommodation to U.S. air force personnel working at the nearby Lajes Air Base, creating a boutique hotel was a brand-new challenge.
“My parents had no clue about the industry. But we love to be with people and I grew up watching my father work with people at the restaurant.”
The 25-year-old Diogo studied in Portugal and Spain, earning a Master’s degree in International Hotel Management from Les Roches. He interned at Belmond’s tony Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro. “I learned a lot about the luxury segment, and it was perfect preparation for this project.”
Creating the hotel was a labour of love, using local craftsmen and local wood – including driftwood from some of the many wrecked ships around the Azorean islands.
Antiques were carefully selected to decorate the Boutique Hotel Teatro. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
Diogo says mother Claudia has a passion for décor and an innate talent that saw her decorating restaurants and the homes of friends, but Boutique Hotel Teatro was her biggest challenge yet. “She’s the star of this project. Nothing would be possible without her,” Diogo says.
The 140 Canadian travel advisors visiting the Azores were split between half a dozen hotels in Angra de Heroísmo. They were all perfectly acceptable or better, but there was a certain amount of jealousy among those staying at other properties but took a quick tour of Boutique Hotel Teatro.
One advisor suggested I might want to switch hotels with her for the second night, as my elegant accommodations were more suited to her upscale clients and she should have the opportunity to experience them. I considered the offer briefly – very briefly – but when I thought about one more breakfast at Boutique Hotel Teatro, I politely declined.
The pool area at the Boutique Hotel Teatro Angra de Heroismo. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
Diogo says the first months of operation at the property have been fulfilling. “Summer was really good, and we’ve had really positive response from guests. Now our first winter is coming, with more flights, and we’re excited for the future.
Diogo is also excited to be working in the home he loves, after spending years travelling for his education.
“I love to travel, but the more I travel, the more I know that the Azores is the place I want to be. It’s never too warm, never too cold, the landscapes are beautiful and the people are warm.”
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