Hotel Casa do Mar

The beach is lovely and the staff are really nice, but there are some serious things that need attention. Pigeons have left droppings beside and on the air conditioning unit, which seems hazardous for people’s lungs. There are also unvaccinated cats that haven’t been spayed or neutered wandering around the property.

The chalet rooms are the best, and the upstairs rooms are a lot better than the downstairs ones, where the bathrooms smell swampy. Some rooms have updated bathrooms and some haven’t. The AC works well everywhere, and the views over the grounds and ocean are spectacular. The restaurant has been consistently disappointing. I’ve stayed three times since 2023, including visits a year and a half apart, and the food was still bad on the second stay. One time the fish was uncooked in the middle. The dinner before that, the shrimp, lobster, and fish were flavorless and rubbery, like they’d gone straight from frozen into the stew. The breakfast buffet is okay, but on my last visit we wouldn’t eat any other meals there. Roosters, construction, and goats or cows can all wake you up early. The place seems to be under construction every time I’ve visited. I appreciate the effort they put into maintaining and updating it, but I wish the work were limited to working days and hours so guests could sleep in on vacation.

We booked a double room for two nights, then left and asked for our money back. The hotel is in the middle of nowhere, reached after 1.5 km of rough sandy road. Our room was old, the furniture worn, and the bathroom awful. There was construction right next to it, with plaster dust. When we asked to move, they offered a so-called superior room in the same condition. No one spoke English. They spent an hour negotiating before finally saying there could be no refund. One staff member even tried to physically intimidate my partner, until I told him to back off or I’d call the police. Poor management and rude people. Calling it a five-star hotel is a joke. One star is too generous. Don’t waste your time, energy, or money here.

Right on the beach, the hotel feels like a dome that shuts out the troubles outside and gives you a peaceful, cozy place instead. It’s well designed, and some rooms have access to a luxury swimming pool. I’d put it in the charm or boutique category. Perfect for a romantic escape.