Monte da Vilarinha

The bike ride was the highlight for us. We rode about 5 km to a stunning beach with incredible views, passing wild horses and cows that we even got to pet. Back at the property, the two dogs were friendly and made us feel welcome right away. Our room was lovely and comfortable, and the heated floors were especially nice in the cooler weather. It’s tucked into nature, with birds, wildlife, and such a peaceful feel, like a hidden cabin in the woods. A special place if you want to unplug and enjoy a quiet stay.

We came out of season for a much-needed break from hiking the Rota Vicentina. The friendly, welcoming staff, lovely rooms, and superb breakfast helped us rest up and get ready to finish the trail. Highly recommend.

The property sits on beautiful land in a valley, with walking paths and ponds, but the grounds felt short on character. There were no flower beds, vegetable patches, or little areas to discover, and some benches and decks looked neglected. Our terrace was outside, but a tree or bush could have been trimmed to open up the nature view we came for. Common spaces were also lacking. Apart from the pool, there wasn’t really anywhere to hang out. The pool itself was okay, though it’s right beside the entrance and breakfast area, so it didn’t feel private. With grounds like these, a living room with a fireplace and sofas, or an outdoor fire pit with chairs, would make sense. Breakfast was good and the staff were friendly. Still, it seemed odd that there was no dinner option, especially since the hotel is remote and you have to drive 25+ minutes to get anywhere. Even a fixed menu would have been welcome, particularly with so many families visiting. Our room was bare, dated, and lacking character, with no art, rug, or accent pillows. The furniture felt cheap and old, from the basic shelving to the plastic light fixtures and bedside lamps that looked like the cheapest desk lights at Ikea. It was dark and smelled a little damp. There was no air conditioning or fan, so there wasn’t much air circulation. On a rainy night it was especially hard to sleep, with thick air and no way to bring in fresh air. Closet space was decent, but there was a hanging bar and no hangers. When the room was cleaned in the morning, they didn’t refill the water bottle. Since tap water isn’t drinkable in this area, that should have been done. The room Wi-Fi was poor and went down completely after the rain. Check-in was easy and welcoming, and the staff kindly left a bottle of wine in our room because they knew it was our honeymoon. But what looked online like a cute rustic farmhouse hotel was an underwhelming, overpriced stay, especially for anyone expecting a well-appointed boutique hotel. We paid €180 a night on Sunday and Monday before high season, and it felt drastically overpriced. There’s a lot of potential here. More care with the design, the guest experience, and the grounds could make it feel worth the price, but the rooms definitely need a refresh and some thoughtful touches.

The cabins are modern, well appointed, and private, set in a lovely landscape. There are 12 of them, and the whole place felt safe enough that we could let the kids explore by themselves, which was a rare treat. We were surrounded by other families, so it was easy for them to make friends. My 4-year-old loved spotting lizards, frogs, toads, and snakes around the estate. The eucalyptus scent after rain and birds singing in the morning were magical. Breakfast was great and the staff lovely. We went early in the season, so the pool was a bit chilly, though I’m sure it’d be fine later in summer. Good beaches and restaurants are a short drive away; the supermarket and local market for fish and veg are 15 minutes away by car. A great place for extended family or a group of friends.