Casa do Flores is above the village of Lajes do Pico, 200 meters from the Cetacean Observation Base (B.O.C.A.), Espaço Talassa, and the Whalers Museum. Most rooms face the sea and Pico mountain. All have private bathrooms. There’s a panoramic garden, solar-heated water, and an outdoor kitchen.

Bar and restaurant at Whale’come ao Pico Hotel open daily 11:00–22:00, March to November. Breakfast is included and served there.

Check-in: 15:00. Check-out: 12:00. Booking priority goes to guests joining whale watching or ecotourism activities.

The house

Casa do Flores was built in the 1960s as one of the larger middle-class homes in Lajes do Pico. It belonged to Mr. Flores, the last manager of the local whaling factory. For the time, the house was well-appointed — private bathrooms, electricity, a hilltop spot above the village.

When whaling declined in the 1970s and the SIBIL factory closed, Mr. Flores couldn’t keep it up and left for the United States. After that the house was rented out here and there — relatives, visiting teachers — until his daughter moved permanently to California in 2004 and it went empty for good.

Espaço Talassa renovated it in 2010. They installed an experimental solar water-heating system designed around the size of the house — it works, but it’s not a conventional setup. If hot water is slow or inconsistent, just let them know.

The renovation opened the house toward the sea and the mountain. The garden was planted with endemic and native Azorean species: Erica azorica (heather), Myrica faya, Picconia azorica, Juniperus brevifolia, Ilex perado azorica, and Frangula azorica. There’s a small outdoor kitchen and barbecue area available for guests. Use of the garden, parking, and cooking facilities is under guests’ responsibility.