Santiago Hotel — Hotel in Santiago do Cacém

We would like to thank the Octant Santiago Hotel for their hospitality. We really enjoyed the quick check-in and the location of the hotel itself — on a hill overlooking the old town and incredible sunsets. All rooms face west, offering a stunning panorama every evening.

The hotel is spacious, with a large, bright lobby and a cosy bar. I would particularly like to mention the restaurant — the dinner was really delicious, with all dishes prepared with attention to detail.

The room was clean and fully equipped: bathrobes, slippers, cosmetics, tea, coffee — everything was there. It was nice to find a personalised card with cookies and a gift — a hat with a beach bag. The bed linen is excellent, and the pillow menu is a great solution for a comfortable night's sleep. A huge bed, a cosy balcony with a view, a bathroom with all the little things, even scales — you can feel the care for the guests.

Breakfast is a special treat: sparkling wine, honey in combs, different types of eggs, fresh pastries. Everything is very tasty and beautifully presented.

One minor drawback is that the hotel could use some light cosmetic repairs in places, such as in the bathroom or at the head of the bed. But this did not affect the overall impression: the service is excellent, the staff is friendly and attentive, the grounds are well-kept, and the pool is clean. The city is within walking distance, which is also a big plus.

Overall, we were left with the warmest impressions. We will gladly...

Not Ideal for a Romantic Getaway

We were expecting a more charming and romantic experience, but unfortunately, it turned out to be quite different.

The website promotional video showcases a calm, serene environment ideal for relaxation — with no sign of children or noise. It also highlights a high-end gastronomic experience, including curated dining options and cooking classes, which raised our expectations even further. Sadly, the reality did not match the image the hotel promotes.

The atmosphere felt more like a family resort than a romantic retreat. The hotel was filled with children, and noise was constant — especially around the pool and early in the morning. At one point, we could even hear people having sex in the room — which was extremely uncomfortable and far from the peaceful experience we were hoping for.

The dinner was just ok. While the restaurant space is modern, it lacks charm and elegance. It was loud and not at all intimate or romantic. The food was just average, and the overall experience didn’t justify the high prices.

To be fair, the staff were very kind and helpful, the hotel was clean, and the bed was comfortable — although the blackout curtain wasn’t very effective, which affected our rest in the morning. However, we wouldn’t return for a romantic getaway and wouldn’t recommend it to couples without children. It truly felt like we paid more than what we received, both in terms of food...

We have spent the past weekend at the hotel on the occasion of my birthday. The booking process went well and the hotel staff was always responsive. The hotel itself is beautiful, really well designed and thought of, the beds are super comfortable and the balcony has a nice view. The only thing I missed were some slippers and a bath robe.

Unfortunately we have been really disappointed at dinner. They did not have an offer that is written online - and that is why I chose this hotel. They has a special thematic offer, without things I really wished to try. Already at booking I mentioned to hotel that we would dinner there, and than reserved a table at check in time. And no one mentioned that they will have a thematic dinner which did not fit us. Instead we had to select between four different types of pizza. The pizza did not taste good and was a disappointment. The aftertaste the sauce on the pizza made was really bad. They also had no dessert on the menu but only from the buffet. The taste of desserts we chose was great though, and there has been a great variety. The breakfast was good and had plenty options.

The city itself was not of particular interest and there is not much to see. To really be in nature you have to drive around a bit.

Overall a beautiful hotel with attentive staff, but the restaurant and the surroundings were a bit...