Monte da Choça — Local services in Odemira

Monte de choça is NOT one of those new Portuguese design and heritage places, but it does not pretend to be. It is a peaceful, located in the middle of nowhere (but only 15 mins away from the greatest beaches), old typical Portuguese longhouse (so you kind of stay in the stables). Some T1 (one room) and T2 (two rooms) apartments line up in what are lush gardens, overlooking the great pool. It is especially a great place to stay with children (they can ping pong, play chess with a huge life size game, play football, go hunting for tortoises and frogs in the lake and play with the omni present animals (sheep, chicken, cats, dogs...), swim in the pool or just run around and play with Angélica's lovely daughter. It has a kind of Bohemian atmosphere and as such it is the philosophy of the house. As long you are expecting this it is a great place to hang out or to start walking and discovering the inland and the coast from. A modern 'Intermarché' supermarket is close by (Seo Teotonio 6km). The apartments are a bit dark due to the typical style of the longhouse (thick walls and small windows) and the furniture misses some style or good taste but altogether you get used to it after a few days and they are not the reason you visit this place. The kitchen could use some basic ingredients like you would find in most places (coffee, oil and vinegar, herbs...) The real asset of this place are its garden and it is beautiful, also well protected against the wind that can be strong in this region (which is a great asset in comparison to some other places we visited that might be 'nicer' when it comes to decoration but which were exposed completely to the strong wind). As such we and our kids were happy and we liked the friendly 'no fuzz' guests that typically come these kind of places. One downside though - the cats and dogs. I like those but not when they run through my apartment if I leave the doors open (especially and only during dinner time when they smell food) or when they jump on the table and eat your plate when you want to get a bottle of wine and turn your back. It gave a situation where a peaceful and romantic candle lit dinner under a great sky filled with stars turned into a hectic running from my bbq to the table to the kitchen hunting cats and dogs... a pity together with the poor beds in what has everything of a potential little gem in a region we came to love (don't forget your jumper...

Monte de choça is NOT one of those new Portuguese design and heritage places, but it does not pretend to be. It is a peaceful, located in the middle of nowhere (but only 15 mins away from the greatest beaches), old typical Portuguese longhouse (so you kind of stay in the stables). Some T1 (one room) and T2 (two rooms) apartments line up in what are lush gardens, overlooking the great pool. It is especially a great place to stay with children (they can ping pong, play chess with a huge life size game, play football, go hunting for tortoises and frogs in the lake and play with the omni present animals (sheep, chicken, cats, dogs...), swim in the pool or just run around and play with Angélica's lovely daughter. It has a kind of Bohemian atmosphere and as such it is the philosophy of the house. As long you are expecting this it is a great place to hang out or to start walking and discovering the inland and the coast from. A modern 'Intermarché' supermarket is close by (Seo Teotonio 6km). The apartments are a bit dark due to the typical style of the longhouse (thick walls and small windows) and the furniture misses some style or good taste but altogether you get used to it after a few days and they are not the reason you visit this place. The kitchen could use some basic ingredients like you would find in most places (coffee, oil and vinegar, herbs...) The real asset of this place are its garden and it is beautiful, also well protected against the wind that can be strong in this region (which is a great asset in comparison to some other places we visited that might be 'nicer' when it comes to decoration but which were exposed completely to the strong wind). As such we and our kids were happy and we liked the friendly 'no fuzz' guests that typically come these kind of places. One downside though - the cats and dogs. I like those but not when they run through my apartment if I leave the doors open (especially and only during dinner time when they smell food) or when they jump on the table and eat your plate when you want to get a bottle of wine and turn your back. It gave a situation where a peaceful and romantic candle lit dinner under a great sky filled with stars turned into a hectic running from my bbq to the table to the kitchen hunting cats and dogs... a pity together with the poor beds in what has everything of a potential little gem in a region we came to love (don't forget your jumper...

What an amazing gem of a find with fabulous hosts Rudy (who speaks five languages) and Angelica ( a delightful Brazilian lady). Nothing is too much trouble and the views are breathtaking. We stayed in a two bedroom cottage which was immacultate and clean with tables and chairs outside. It is so peaceful and we relaxed within a day. The animals bring the place alive and the dogs will gently follow any one who is going for a walk. The pool, lush gardens, the cats and the giant chessbord is great for children and the deserted beahes are only 15 mins away. This place is surrounded by eucalyptus trees and the scent fills the air. It is a is very well designed in a rustic style and Angelica does the fabulous craft work for the accomodation. The place oozes character from every pore. The fully equiped kitchens has everything you would want and there are several barbecue areas for guests to use, and plenty of walks if you can tear yourself away. There is no fitness centre or restuarant on site but there is a very reasonably priced cafe at the end of the road and several good restuarants nearby. The supermarkets are near by and there are plenty of trips to take from here. We had a great day out to St Vincent to the south west with stops at forts and towns. A car is essential to explore the Alentego...