Mar e Sol Hotel Spa — Hotel in Marinha Grande

The hotel was built in the Sixties and therefore is and always will be a concrete eyesore at one of the most beautiful beaches of Portugal. Still, it could be a hidden gem inside. Could, for obviously the owners miss the eye, will, know-how or love to cut this rough diamond into something better than the parody of 4 star hotel with many of the promised amenities being out of order (the jacuzzi pool or the rooftop bar), tattery (the ever squeaking toaster at the breakfast buffet is loudly praying for redemption) or in a state of coma (the spa, the gym). While we met some friendly faces amongst the staff, most of the employees seem to be as unhappy as the guests, probably for other reasons though. The worst experience we had during our stay was with the reception staff. Sadly (and as almost everywhere in Portugal), pets are not welcome in the hotel. So a local visitor left his dog attached in the plain sun for almost an hour and went in for a coffee. I asked the staff at the reception desk three times to bring the poor animal at least a bowl of water. I even would have paid and carried it myself, but my request was ignored and I was told that this dog is very happy instead (with a spiteful undertone of "mind your own business"). This insensitivity does show a lack of empathy as well as of hospitality. So while I would give 5 stars to the location, the Hotel Mar & Sol gets maximum 2 and the friendly advice to overthink their concept and values. In the meantime, I'll prefer to stay in the Joy Beach House instead and you maybe...

The hotel was built in the Sixties and therefore is and always will be a concrete eyesore at one of the most beautiful beaches of Portugal. Still, it could be a hidden gem inside. Could, for obviously the owners miss the eye, will, know-how or love to cut this rough diamond into something better than the parody of 4 star hotel with many of the promised amenities being out of order (the jacuzzi pool or the rooftop bar), tattery (the ever squeaking toaster at the breakfast buffet is loudly praying for redemption) or in a state of coma (the spa, the gym). While we met some friendly faces amongst the staff, most of the employees seem to be as unhappy as the guests, probably for other reasons though. The worst experience we had during our stay was with the reception staff. Sadly (and as almost everywhere in Portugal), pets are not welcome in the hotel. So a local visitor left his dog attached in the plain sun for almost an hour and went in for a coffee. I asked the staff at the reception desk three times to bring the poor animal at least a bowl of water. I even would have paid and carried it myself, but my request was ignored and I was told that this dog is very happy instead (with a spiteful undertone of "mind your own business"). This insensitivity does show a lack of empathy as well as of hospitality. So while I would give 5 stars to the location, the Hotel Mar & Sol gets maximum 2 and the friendly advice to overthink their concept and values. In the meantime, I'll prefer to stay in the Joy Beach House instead and you maybe...

Hotel is okay, nothing special but not bad either.

Reception staff were terrible !

Our room was not ready at the agreed check in time - they were still cleaning and said they would need an hour. That's a little annoying but not a massive problem. But no apology from the staff, just a lazy and disinterested attitude. We were waiting in the lobby for ages and eventually i went to reception and asked is our room ready and the guy at reception said yes, it had been ready for a while. They hadn't even bothered to come and tell us and just left us sitting there.

I actually complained to the hotel via email about the staff and I was told I'd been emailed to say the room would not be ready at the agreed check in time. I didn't get any...