Marina D' Angra

The view is fantastic and the spot on the edge of town is a real plus. Breakfast had decent scrambled eggs, ham, cheese and pancakes, but most of the other food was grim. For a hotel calling itself 5 stars, it felt very limited. Our room was passably clean, though there was mould in the shower, and basics like a kettle, tea and coffee, a dressing gown and toiletries beyond shower gel and lotion were missing. The pool is described as outside, but it isn't, and it looked as if it hadn't been cleaned since the hotel opened. Most staff we saw seemed like they were doing community service, and only one receptionist knew how to smile.

The view was great and the hotel is near all the activities, but the place seemed to be falling apart. Paint was peeling, and the pool area was a disaster. The air conditioning was loud and didn't really cool the room. My boyfriend had arranged a lovely room decoration as a surprise, which we appreciated, but this definitely isn't a five-star hotel. We asked for an iron and it took three hours to arrive.

We had to leave and find somewhere else to stay. My partner and I both have allergic rhinitis and asthma, and within ten minutes in the room we were coughing uncontrollably and had chest pain. We'd booked a double sea-view room but were given a twin, and it had visible damp and a strong mould smell. It wasn't fit for us, especially with our breathing conditions. The alternative room offered at reception smelled strongly of cleaning chemicals, as if they were trying to cover the same problem, and it made things worse. The hotel was understaffed, the service was poor, and the experience was unacceptable for a place claiming to be 5 stars. It felt like a serious health risk and a huge disappointment. I booked through a third-party travel agency, and even though we didn't use the service at all, I may not get a refund because the hotel makes the final decision. That's completely unfair and unprofessional. I strongly advise against staying here.

The quiet suited me, and the room was clean, safe, comfortable and had everything I needed. The view was incredible, and breakfast offered lots of choice. The hotel is near the main square and town center, about a ten-minute walk, though the route climbs a steep hill. It feels huge and almost abandoned because there aren't many people around and there are so many empty spaces. Staff were friendly and the reception was helpful, though they didn't seem very experienced or professional. Things felt relaxed, with no pressure, which was fine for me. The pool and spa are very old and need renovation.