Praia do Canal Nature Retreat

We spent a winter weekend at Praia do Canal and still woke up to sunny mornings with ocean views and a lovely sense of calm. The staff and the place itself made us feel so welcome. The food, service, and rooms were all excellent. We couldn't recommend it more as a getaway.

Being so remote makes this a great place to escape the fast pace of life, with nature all around and a lovely hike down to the beach. The pool has a beautiful view, and I enjoyed using the gym with its new equipment. Staff were friendly and attentive. We liked the breakfast and dinner, and it was useful to have good restaurant choices on site, though lunch was just OK. The spa treatments were lovely, but the public facilities could use an update: some paint was peeling and a few lockers were broken. We hope to come back soon.

The setting in the middle of a nature reserve is beautiful, and the service was very good. The housekeeping and breakfast teams were attentive and polite. We also tried the spa, with thanks to Pedro and Camila for the relaxing Japanese and targeted relief massages. The nearby trails down to the ocean are worth doing, especially early in the day, when you might spot small wild boars roaming around.

The rooms and spa are gorgeous, with pink marble used throughout, and staff were helpful and quick to respond on WhatsApp. But some practical things let the resort down. The crochet umbrellas by the pool and on suite terraces only provide shade for a short time in the morning, then everything is in full sun. We had a young child and asked for more shade, but were told none was available and that we could bring our own. I was asked about allergies several times, before we arrived, at check-in, and during meals, but my gluten intolerance didn't seem to be noted or properly catered for. Main course choices were very limited, ice cream was the only gluten-free dessert, and there wasn't much willingness to adapt dishes. That was disappointing compared with the excellent gluten-free options I've found elsewhere in Portugal. For a five-star resort, it falls short on comfort and flexibility.