Encosta Dos Túneis - Turismo E Lazer — Hotel in Sever do Vouga

As someone who very rarely gives a five star review, we can testify that, after two visits to this hotel, this is one hotel which truly merits all five stars. First, the location of the hotel ticks almost every box for us. The quiet valley provides walking, cycling on the former railway line, (Ciclovia de Paradela) interesting waterfalls close by and a real feeling of escape. The hotel boasts a fantastic pool, finished with real attention to detail using top quality materials. From the pool there are very nice views of the surrounding country side. The accommodation, in terms of the quality of the finishes and attention to detail of the rooms is first class. I recommend one of the detached houses which are simply perfect for a family, but the individual rooms are also excellent. The staff are some of the most helpful we have encountered in Portugal, which is a country of friendly, helpful people in general. They are willing to go the extra mile to help. When our son needed to visit a hospital they helped guide us there and provided food very late when we got back. Even offering to find us accommodation near the hospital should we need it. The breakfast compares very favourably to any five star hotel I have experienced. The dining room and bar have a wonderful terrace which is tastefully decorated and finished. The crockery and cutlery is also of the first quality. At the moment they do provide snack food at other times. I hope a full restaurant will be available for all three meals soon. Guests are encouraged to explore the charming grounds and have the opportunity to purchase the farm produce which is delicious. My only hesitation in writing this review is that the hotel might be fully booked when (not if) we want to return. Finally, the hotel is coping very well with the restrictions placed upon them by the current COVID 19 pandemic as far as I can tell. We certainly felt very safe...

What a lovely place. Worth every penny. |6 of us stayed for one evening. |We were very well welcomed by a lovely lady that told us all the information that we needed to know about the place and the area. |She welcomed us with a nice bottle of their own wine, what we all thought it was a very nice touch. 👍||The place it’s situated in a very picturesque and relaxed area in the north of Portugal. There’s a ciclo via that passes right by the place, and goes on for miles and miles. Definitely worth a walk, or a bike ride on a sunny day because the views are breathtaking. ||The rooms were really spacious, cozy and clean, so we all had a really nice sleep. |The only negative I have to say is that I found quite annoying to have to come in the evening downstairs to use the toilet. |The floors were cold and we didn’t really have slippers in the room, so by the time i put my socks on, went down and come up to bed I was awake. I would suggest to maybe have some slippers in the room and maybe a old fashion potty, so it makes the experience better. ||In the morning we had a really nice breakfast and we were very well looked after. There was a lot of food and the lady’s made sure that we had everything we needed. We had our 20months old daughter with us and the ladies were always interacting with her what made it easier for us. ||i have to mention that the lady actually asked the night before if any of us have any allergies requirements, and because my wife have gluten free intolerance, next day they had gluten free bread. 👍 ||After breakfast and because the checkout it’s only at midday we went for a nice walk in the ciclo via and we were all very relaxed and just thinking that we have to come back in the...

The location, facilities, pool, breakfast, animals, plants & trees all great! However the the way Dona Fatima speaks to her staff (in front of guests) AND to her guests. It is very uncomfortable, unprofessional, & tiresome.

She speaks to her staff in front of guests condescendingly and even to guests in an inappropriate tone. Despite whichever rule might have been broken. She tries to excuse this behavior by saying she was a teacher for years & because she is the owner. It would be great if she could just serve my breakfast and leave us alone tbh. Instead she made us feel very uncomfortable. My husband had to tell her calmly not to raise her voice nor speak to him in that manner (of course in Portuguese- as she does not speak any other language and will not even look you in the eye when speaking to you).

The glass at the infinity pool in the children’s section is a bit low and does not go all the way across the pool.

Dona Fatima is 100% right and in the position to be able to tell us what we can or cannot do at her property. However it’s HOW you say it, not WHAT you say. And there was of course no apology on her part.

This was our 2nd time staying at Encosta and the first time we stayed, she wasn’t there & it was amazing! Even the manager was nicer then. I was disappointed that my summer holiday had this very terrible encounter. I was standing in my bikini when she beckoned me in for a meeting. It was very bizarre behavior.

I believe Encosta is a special place and could benefit from hiring a proper hospitality manager that is a professional or send the staff (including Dona Fatima) to some basic professional hospitality...