Bitcoind in a Windows Azure Worker Role I want to have a Bitcoind node running in Azure. Obviously there are storage requirements from storing the blockchain, so is Bitcoind a candidate for a worker role? Or would I be better off sticking to a VM?
I do not see a worker role as a possible candidate primarily because of the complexity involved. Other than storage and unless I am missing something (just used worker roles once in the past) you will also have deployment difficulties, which will have to be repeated with every bitcoin upgrade. I do not see what you will gain using a worker role anyway (in the context of bitcoind). (?) 

So, if the choice is between the two I would say stick with the VM.

Note that Azure also provides an option to easily install a full bitcoin core node using bitcore in a CentOS VM. See here for details; it offers some extras that might interest you.