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What looked like a cute rustic farmhouse hotel from the online photos was actually an underwhelming and overpriced stay. Definitely not a place to visit in its current conditions if you're into well appointed boutique hotels.
I hope this review can be used as constructive criticism because there is a lot of potential here.
The check-in experience was quite easy and welcoming. The staff was kind to leave a bottle of wine in our room since they knew we were coming on our honeymoon.
The hotel room felt very bare, dated and without any character. Not a single piece of artwork, rug, or accent pillow. The furniture all felt very cheap and dated. From the most basic shelving unit, to the plastic lighting fixtures and the bedside table lamps that looked like the cheapest desk lights at Ikea. This was very off-putting for what one might expect from a property like this.
The room was quite dark and there was also a little bit of a smell of humidity. And with no air conditioning or fan, the room lacked air circulation which explained the smell. This made particularly difficult to sleep on a rainy night since the air was thick and no way to create fresh air in the room.
The room had decent closet space. There was a clothing hanging bar but no hangers.l, which seemed like a bit of oversight. Another detail that was a little upsetting was when the room was cleaned in the morning, they failed to refill the water bottle. Given that tap water is not drinkable in this area, this should have been done. Additionally, the wi-fi in the room was not great and completely down after the rain.
We had a little outdoor terrace. But unfortunately the views were obstructed by leaves of a tree / bush that could have easily been trimmed. This blocked most of the nature view which is what we came to this hotel for.
The hotel sits on a beautiful piece of land at the bottom of a valley. And the grounds are very nice with a couple of walking paths and ponds. Yet it was very much lacking in character. No flower beds, vegetable patches, or areas to discover. There were a couple benches and decks that looked a little neglected.
The breakfast was good and staff friendly. But we found it a little strange that the hotel doesn't offer any dinner option especially when it's as remote as it is. Since you have to drive 25+ mins to anywhere. Even a fixed menu option would have been welcome, especially given how many families come to visit.
The hotel lacked well appointed common areas. There was no real place to hangout other then the pool. The pool area was ok but right next to the entrance of the hotel and breakfast area without any intimacy. With such grounds one might consider a living room with a fireplace and sofas or outdoor fire pit and chairs.
For €180 per night on a Sunday and Monday night before high season, this hotel felt drastically overpriced.
The whole property was very underwhelming. If the owners would put a little more attention to design, thoughtfulness into the guest experience, and care into the grounds this property could be truly amazing and worth its price. The rooms definitely need a refresh and some touch design to make it...
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Location is excellent. Assuming you want a quiet retreat. Naturally this means any amenities (restaurants, etc.) require a car to get to. If you're in this region without a car though, that's going to be a challenge in itself! It is possible to walk to the beach (Praia da Bordeira is stunning) but it will take a good 45 minutes to an hour down the local tracks. If you like running and don't mind hills, there's plenty of possibilities! Carrapateira, a small town with a few restaurants, surf shops, etc. is also nearby (10 mins in car) but the nearest supermarket is about 20-30 mins in the car.||||Rooms are furnished to a high standard and facilities are generally very good. Breakfast is excellent. The chef (who also seems to be gardener and general handy man) deserves special mention. The pool area is handy and generally quiet. Despite the resort being full during our stay, the area was rarely crowded.||||Overall Monte Da Vilarinha makes an excellent base for families wanting to explore the national park and the west coast. If you're into surfing, walking, horse riding, or various other outdoor pursuits, there are plenty of opportunities in the area. The only reason for four rather than 5 stars is that I felt the room, an in particular, the kitchen area was slightly small for this price point. We were in one of the smaller apartments which is suitable for couples or families with one child (just). The kitchen area has the key facilities (under counter fridge, electric hob (2 plates), microwave) but is impractical for anything other than...
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Location is excellent. Assuming you want a quiet retreat. Naturally this means any amenities (restaurants, etc.) require a car to get to. If you're in this region without a car though, that's going to be a challenge in itself! It is possible to walk to the beach (Praia da Bordeira is stunning) but it will take a good 45 minutes to an hour down the local tracks. If you like running and don't mind hills, there's plenty of possibilities! Carrapateira, a small town with a few restaurants, surf shops, etc. is also nearby (10 mins in car) but the nearest supermarket is about 20-30 mins in the car.
Rooms are furnished to a high standard and facilities are generally very good. Breakfast is excellent. The chef (who also seems to be gardener and general handy man) deserves special mention. The pool area is handy and generally quiet. Despite the resort being full during our stay, the area was rarely crowded.
Overall Monte Da Vilarinha makes an excellent base for families wanting to explore the national park and the west coast. If you're into surfing, walking, horse riding, or various other outdoor pursuits, there are plenty of opportunities in the area. The only reason for four rather than 5 stars is that I felt the room, an in particular, the kitchen area was slightly small for this price point. We were in one of the smaller apartments which is suitable for couples or families with one child (just). The kitchen area has the key facilities (under counter fridge, electric hob (2 plates), microwave) but is impractical for anything other than...
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