Monte da Chalaça

The free electric car charging was a real help, especially after the public chargers we tried in nearby Ferreira do Alentejo weren’t working. It was slow, though: charging 50% of our battery from a standard outdoor socket took about 28 hours. We were grateful to have it. The staff were lovely, always welcoming and ready to help, and the peaceful setting, good-sized pool, and made-to-order breakfasts were highlights too. We left with mixed feelings because several good ideas seemed poorly maintained. The children’s playroom shed was dirty, many toys were broken, and the children’s toilets didn’t seem to work. Our comfortable room was crammed with extra furniture, which made it feel cluttered and hard to keep clean. Most upsetting was the animals’ condition. At a place presented as an intimate farm stay, we felt their welfare should have been better. We saw a pig with a nasty open wound, ponies and donkeys with poorly kept coats, and several cats with visible health problems. It really affected our impression. One planning note: food allergy and dietary options in nearby towns were very limited when we were there. That isn’t the property’s fault, but it’s useful to know. Monte Chalaça has a lovely location and wonderful staff, and it could be special with more care given to the rooms, play area, and especially the animals.