Lam Hotel Caramulo

The view from my room was great, and the lobby has charm. The staff were friendly, which was a plus during a stay that otherwise fell well below expectations. There was mould and rust around ceilings and plumbing throughout the hotel, in both rooms and shared areas, and the place felt neglected and in disrepair. My room's air conditioning didn't work. The pool water was cold, there weren't enough loungers for the guests, and no staff or lifeguard were attending the pool or gym. With services this poor, I have to wonder about the four stars and the SPA in the hotel's name.

Breakfast was fabulous, and the staff were friendly and competent. The hotel is in a very quiet spot, right across from the Caramulo Museum. I enjoyed both pools. Some people say the indoor pool isn't hot, but I don't think it's meant to be; to me the temperature was just right, neither hot nor cold. I'm less convinced about the four-star rating, though. The room wasn't well kept: there was a lot of dust on the bed blanket, enough to raise the question of whether it had been washed, and behind the toilet clearly hadn't been cleaned in a long time. That could be a problem for someone with allergies. The floor was carpeted throughout, and the shower leaked a bit. Dinner was buffet style with just two choices, fish or meat, and the desserts were store bought.

The fireplace was fantastic, and the service was very friendly. It's an older hotel in a great location, right across from a lovely arts and car museum. Breakfast and dinner were fantastic.

I come away from my stays here happy every time. The guest rooms at the back, along with the restaurant and breakfast room, all look out across wonderful, far-reaching valley views. The rooms are spacious and well equipped, though a little dated, and the facilities are good. I especially enjoy the pools and spa area, and the gym looks very good. In the evening, the cozy lobby is a nice place to sit; you can get drinks and snacks brought over, hire games, play pool, or watch TV. Breakfast is reasonable. Just across the road, the motor museum is interesting, and a short drive gets you to some lovely scenic views. It's a perfect spot for a short break away from it all.