This is a clean and modern hotel, with very friendly staff. The bedrooms are clean and comfortable - ours was looking over a courtyard in the middle of the hotel. In you could get a sea/Pico view bedroom at the front - it would obviously be better, but we were in a party with pre-booked rooms. There was a fridge which was locked - and we could not use, which was frustrating. Also they had recently introduced kettles in the riooms, which was a good idea, but would have been more helpful if they had also left some tea-bags in the room.

The dining room struggled to keep pace with the number of touring groups that it accomodated. Some of the food ran out - and they were slow to replace it - and quite honestly the food was only of "adequate" standard and luke warm. Breakfasts were limited in scope. I am a diabetic - and there seemed nothing to cater specifically for diabetics at breakfast.

Horta is the main port for cross-ocean yachts, which is interesting. Much of the allure of the Azores is the scenery - so don't spend all the time in Horta. We spent one day in the neighbouring island, Pico.

We enjoyed this hotel and especially the good situation direct on the boulevard of Horta, viewing the harbour.

The first room we got had 2 twin beds, the second had a double bed but was completely smoked/smelly (unfortunatly we had this experience more often on the Azores). At the end we received a nice and fresh room, with view on the harbour and a verry large double bed. To be honest this can happen in eacht hotel (I only think the cleaning lady should roport smoked non-smoking rooms to the reception to avoid dissapointed guests). But the way the concierge arranged new room made us forget this bad experience uppon arrival. Personel was extremely friendly and helpfull during our entire stay.

Rooms are well equiped, a little bit small and dark but it completely fits the expected 4* standard. Breakfast and restaurant are perfect with enough choice and fresh products.

We liked the hotel and would stay again.

The hotel's website and literature make the most of the view across the channel to Pico so make sure you do too and request a sea view. I imagine we'd have felt disappointed if we'd missed out on this as, almost paradoxically, one of the nicest things about Horta and much of Faial in general is its view of another island.

Hotel do Canal was built fairly recently but fits discreetly into its surroundings whilst making the most of its central location opposite the ferry port. Whilst it's a shame that a swimming pool in a basement somewhere wasn't a possibility, the sauna and steam room were both very good and the jacuzzi well kept too. Towelling robes and slippers were provided and the area was regularly attended by housekeeping staff. There was a gym area too.

During our 5-night stay we found the hotel busy with tour groups, business-people and regional Azorean government politicians. Overall, things flowed smoothly and we found staff professional and helpful. Breakfast was a cooked buffet with scrambled eggs and bacon or sausage every morning and a selection of yoghurts, cold meats, local cheeses, fresh fruit, cakes and pastries and fruit juice from some sort of concentrate or packet mix. The coffee was okay. The breakfast room / restaurant and bar area around the corner had a calm atmosphere and were well designed and lit.

Our room on the third floor was comfortable with a decent bathroom and a Juliet balcony overlooking Pico through the olive trees. We had no problems with noise either from the street below or from the ferry port across the road. The hotel describes the rooms as doubles but the beds are 2 twins and I think all the rooms were like this. There was a table, mini-bar, complimentary water and fruit.

There is a large Modelo / Continente supermarket 10 mins' walk west of the hotel along the main road up the hill. Good-value set lunches popular with local workers can be had around the corner to the hotel at the Athletics club.

To visit Faial's Caldeira you'll need your own transport or a taxi (€25 return from Horta with half and hour's waiting time included) but a lot of other places can be visited by bus. Tourist Information in the town centre will provide you with a comprehensive timetable complete with fares so you can get the right money ready for the driver! Horta's beach at Porto Pim was an unexpected pleasure but Praia do Almoxarife is worth a visit if you have the time - the smaller bay to the north of the town has smaller waves if you're going swimming and we enjoyed our time at the snack bar there before our bus back to Horta (try the 50c red wine...!).

Our second stay at this hotel. The staff are very welcoming and speak good English. The rooms are comfortbale and spacious but do not have balconies. There is a good restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and evening meal. We ate the buffet evening meal on a few occassions during our weeks stay and we found it to be good value for money.
If you are going to Horta for whale and dolphin watching this hotel is very close to the trip organsiers base's. We would highly recommend Horta Cetaceos for whale and dolphin watching. Pedro the skipper is a true professional,shows great respect for the wildlife and with the help of a network of spotters will make sure that you see any wildlife out there. Pedro takes great pride in his work, speaks excellent English and his rib boat is just perfect for getting up close to dolphins and affords great whale watching.