Estalagem Muchaxo — Hotel in Cascais

At the advice of friends, we came here in February, 2022 for dinner twice, but stayed at hotels in Lisbon. This year, we wanted a quieter stay for a few nights after a hectic earlier portion of the trip. This hotel was exactly what we needed! Quiet, clean, with a large room that looked over the Atlantic Ocean, we loved our stay.||The hotel and its restaurant have a style that is straight out of the 1970s, with large sitting areas, a piano and a gentleman who plays it, a fireplace, and an entire wall of windows that looks out over the water. We had a remodeled room, and it was gorgeous. The bed was on the firm side, as is the custom in Europe, but very comfortable. The pillows were soft and comfortable, but with enough support so it didn't feel like our heads were right on the mattress. All of the bed linens looked, felt, and smelled fresh, spotless, and in outstanding condition. The room was cleaned daily and it was well-cleaned. We had a small covered balcony if we wanted to be outside.||There was a small sitting area with a full-size leather sofa for quiet conversations, and the sofa looked new. It was very comfortable to sit on. ||The bathroom was remodeled too, and it included a bidet. All the fixtures operated perfectly and looked new. Like the bed linens, the bath linens looked, felt, and smelled immaculate. The towels were soft and absorbent, there were individual bottles of toiletries, and the shower had strong pressure with plenty of hot water. ||We ate dinner at the hotel's restaurant every night and ate their included breakfast every morning. For breakfast, there was a large assortment of breads, rolls, muffins, and other baked goods. There was a selection of yogurts, hard-boiled eggs, and a warming pan with scrambled eggs and bacon. One morning I had the eggs and bacon, another morning I ate yogurt, and one morning I ate some baked items. Each morning, I left satisfied and ready for a day of sightseeing. The eating utensils were real metal (not plastic) and the plates were real pottery/china/glass (not paper or plastic.) Tables were well-set with ironed, white cotton tablecloths, and guests can eat along a wall of windows. Coffee and fruit juices are available and good. I particularly liked the coffee because each guest can select what kind of coffee they get from the coffee machine. We like cafe au lait, and this machine offered hot milk, so we could easily mix our cafe au lait each morning. The employee managing the breakfast room was a very pleasant and welcoming gentleman, the same one for each day. ||The price of our room was a very reasonable one, less than $80 a night with a free breakfast. Naturally, when the tourist season picks up, the prices will rise, but we think that price was more than fair for the quality of our lodging and sleep. ||The only thing we wish were different about this hotel is that it's a bit inconvenient if you want to do things away from the beach and do not rent a car. The train from Lisbon is easy to take, but the line ends in Cascais. From there, you need to take a cab or bus out to the hotel. If you rent a car at the Lisbon airport, that would not be a problem for you. ||Part of our enjoyment came from exploring this famous local landmark and seeing its nooks and niches. We loved chatting with the owner, Toni, who is something of a local celebrity due to his gracious, welcoming personality and his remarkable longevity. Surprisingly, he remembered us from our visit last year! He didn't recall our names, but he recognized our faces and remembered where we were from. We were floored! In his early 90s, the gentleman still goes to work every day to greet his guests and do all he can to make sure they have a wonderful time at his hotel. ||If you're like us and are sick of impersonal (often chain) hotels or restaurants, you should add this to your list of family-run...

5 stars for the location, 0 for everything else!

I understand the whole history and heritage behind Muchaxo hotel, it’s nice and appreciated, but they can at least renovate the rooms and amenities a bit to loop in with the 21st century, while still keeping the heritage part!

The hotel is very worn out, dirty and requires alot of work just to be decent. This certainly applies to the rooms, lobby and seating areas, restaurant, cafe, swimming pool, all of it.

The whole hotel and all areas smell like old mold and smoke. I did not feel comfortable sitting at any of the couches or chairs in common areas. The hotel all around is also too dark and dimmed everywhere, while the furniture and walls are full of stain marks and cracks.

Starting with the rooms, again smelly and old, but the rooms don’t have the minimum standards and qualities you’d look for in a today’s world, for example there is no fridge, shower and tub have rust, mirrors are scratched up, cracks on the wall, the safe is white and rusty, the TV is a small old LCD one from the 1990s or early 2000 that runs on ‘Antena’ not cable, and only one channel worked with terrible quality. Called the lobby to fox the other channels for the kids, they said they’ll send someone but never did. The TV is not a smart one I must add, which is a pretty basic standard.

The restaurant and cafe are depressing to sit at, too dark, very old of a style and decoration, and the food quality matches everything else and so on..

Staff was not too friendly, the servers at the cafe and restaurant and in general. The majority of the staff are on the older side, and they All seemed like they don’t want to be there!

At times, the whole thing felt like a thriller or a horror movie, where you and your group get trapped at an old mansion with some sketchy vibe, and then……:you know the story!

The only GREAT and wonderful thing about this hotel is the location and the views. Located right on the ocean, so you could spend your entire day at the beach rather than going back in. The beach is one of the best i’ve seen, with white sand and not a single rock, great waves for surfing and some water fun, this is the best point about the whole thing, location.

To sum up, if you’re looking for new, trendy, modern, or simply something normal as of today’s standards, this doesn’t even come close. If you’re looking for a heritage rusty spot with some history behind it and an amazing beach, this might work just...

Hotel Estalagem Muchaxo Review - Guincho Beach, Portugal

Hotel Estalagem Muchaxo, situated right on the stunning Guincho Beach, offers an unforgettable coastal retreat with a mix of charm and history. During our stay, we were delighted by the excellent location, beautiful views, and warm hospitality that made our experience truly special.

Location: 5/5

The hotel's location is absolutely perfect for beach lovers. Being right on Guincho Beach, guests can easily access the sandy shores and enjoy breathtaking ocean views. The proximity to the beach allows for convenient and frequent strolls along the coastline, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing seaside getaway.

Amenities: 5/5

The pool at Hotel Estalagem Muchaxo is a standout feature. It provides a beautiful and serene place to relax, with the sound of the waves in the background enhancing the overall ambiance. The pool area is well-maintained and offers a great place to unwind after a day at the beach.

Service: 5/5

The service from the reception area was excellent. The staff were friendly, accommodating, and efficient. When we decided to extend our stay by an additional night, the process was seamless and handled with no issues, which added to the positive experience.

Rooms: 4/5

Our room was spacious and featured a lovely balcony that provided a perfect spot to enjoy the views and fresh sea air. The room was comfortable and had a quaint charm that we loved. However, it is evident that the hotel, including the rooms, could benefit from some updating. While the historic nature of the building adds character, modernizing certain aspects would enhance the overall comfort and appeal.

Overall Experience: 4.5/5

Hotel Estalagem Muchaxo is a charming and quaint retreat that offers a unique and memorable stay on Guincho Beach. While the hotel and rooms could use some updating, the excellent location, beautiful pool, and great service more than make up for it. The historic charm and serene setting create a wonderful atmosphere that we thoroughly enjoyed. Whether you are looking for a beachside escape or a touch of historic charm, this hotel is a...