Monte do Malhão

I spent two uncomfortable nights here and won't be coming back. There was no hot water in my room during my stay, and I couldn't get the air conditioning to work. Guests are given a number to call about problems, but every time I tried, I got a message saying the number wasn't listed. Extremely disappointing.

The peaceful setting is why we keep coming back to this beautiful eco-hotel. It's small, with just nine rooms, and the delightful Alexandre & Susana run it. We love the garden of flowers, trees, herbs, and orange trees, and there are now lots of animals, including parrots. Set on a hill near the Spanish border, the modern building has been thoughtfully designed. There's an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, gym area, and an outdoor pool. They have added more sunbeds and places to relax in the sun or shade, plus several hammocks. The rooms are varied and interesting, from comfortable doubles to larger ones with well-equipped bathrooms, and some have hot tubs. The beds are large and very comfortable, the showers are great, and the products are eco-friendly. Breakfast is lovely, with local produce, good coffee, and wonderful fresh orange juice. There are several excellent restaurants nearby, including ones on the Monte Gordo boardwalk. The fabulous, less crowded eastern Algarve beaches and the Ria Formosa, with 35 km of islands, channels, and waterways, are about 15 minutes away. This is our favourite Algarve destination.

The location is remote, but beach towns and restaurants are only a short drive away. We loved the peaceful atmosphere, clean facilities, interesting art, and all the outdoor spots to relax. There's a mini farm with lots of animals and a viewpoint you can walk up to. The owners are lovely, and breakfast was amazing, with options for vegans too. The indoor pool and spa were great, and so was our room with a hot tub. One of the nicest places we've stayed, and we'd happily recommend it and come back.

The owners are incredibly welcoming and lovely. Monte do Malhão is such a good place to relax, with a serene setting, tasty breakfast, an indoor pool, and a cozy book nook. You could spend the whole day here and not get tired of it.