Monte da Cabeça Gorda — Hotel in Viana do Alentejo

We had great expectations upon arrival, but we quickly realized that the photos we had seen only concerned apartments, not double rooms. The surroundings were a wreck: no garden, no grass, no trees. Just dirt and dead, dried plants. The painting on the external walls was quite worn and cracked. No welcome given, a garden-keeper introduced us to an ultra-spartan bedroom, with no windows; in a building that looked like a military barrack. Inside, there was no closet, just a hole in the wall with two shelves - insufficient for a couple, of course. The two beds were also "military campaign-style", aluminium frames and a poor matrix. My wife's pillow was something plastic inside a pillowcase. You could clearly hear conversations held in the next room. Since the bedrooms had neither windows nor ac, and since it was too chilly to open the outside door, we roasted all night, unable to catch any sleep at all.||The pool surroundings had no shades at all (four umbrellas hardly do the trick for 24 total guests), no trees and the floor made of white tile fragments heated to unbearable temperatures.||The set of evidences of an almost absent and careless management was completed at the breakfast service. There was a single, circular table, where all the guests were forced to sit at together. Plus, since the table was also too small, you may have to wait for a vacant chair. Finally, when we got there, the food was composed by a slim offer of bread, butter and jam. I don’t eat butter nor jam for breakfast, so I starved. The drinks offered were coffee and powder-soluble orange juice. Apart from this, you can’t even purchase a bottle of water. Just tap water available. We couldn’t handle it, and after one night decided to leave and ask for a refund.||After all I have described above I should say it’s a rip off to ask 80€ per night to stay in such place. It’s an embarrassment for the owners: youth hostel (bad one) quality charged as high end countryside housing. But what comes through is the cheap attitude from the owners, which barely take care of the place and offer low quality service for a huge amount of money. A good example of an improvement Portuguese touristic offer needs to make. Such places shouldn’t be allowed to practice...

We were traveling through Portugal by bicycle, so we needed a place near a restaurant. João, the owner, brought us dinner from a local spot. João was helpful, speaks 5 languages (we speak English) and is dedicated to making this a premier spot. He's well underway. Shower was great, rooms were big enough, and the included breakfast was a charm. João upgraded us to a suite at no charge, and stayed chatting with us very late, answering our many questions about Portugal and its economy. The hotel is just outside of town, and could use a bigger sign. Wifi could be improved. Pool looks great but we arrived too late to go swimming. Idyllic rural beauty, great sounds from the surrounding forests and fields, and a spectacular evening and sunset. Very highly...

We had a great week with our two young kids (8 & 12). The appartment is complete, clean and functional. Tastefully decorated.||The place is excellent for peace and quiet but at the same time the pool, feeding the goats, playing with friends was all the distraction our kids needed (and a 1,5 hour siësta with the IPad on excellent WiFi 😃).||Breakfast is lovely with every morning a newly homemade baked pastry!||Évora is nearby as well as Lisbon for a day-trip. Bicycles for a tour around the area are free for use.||The hospitality of Felippa and Joao is fenomenal. They made us feel right at home!||In short: we would recommend this place...