Branca Beach

No hotel has ever exceeded my expectations as much as this one. ​At first, I was actually a bit jealous of the people staying in those big hotels right on the coast. But once I walked down there, I realized it was just a dead end full of nothing but tourists and hotel amenities. I even saw people basically fleeing their resorts because they couldn't face another boring hotel buffet! ​Staying in the heart of Santa Maria was a total game-changer. We got to experience the real local culture—eating where the locals eat, chatting, and actually feeling part of the community. Everything we needed (shops, restaurants, you name it) was less than a minute's walk away. ​The hotel itself was great and really well-maintained. The staff did a meticulous job cleaning the rooms, and having Netflix was a huge plus for winding down at the end of the day. Breakfast was served fresh every morning, and even though the menu didn't change much, it was always tasty. It was a bit unlucky that the rooftop was being renovated while we were there, as that would’ve been the icing on the cake, but honestly, the stay was still perfect.

Room facilities were basic but good value for money.

Close to the beach and everything!