Monte Cabeço do Ouro

Just right for people who love the outdoors and want to be close to nature!

Never again!! Five years ago I wouldn’t have written a review like this. It’s rustic, sure, but that doesn’t excuse the poor hygiene and lack of basic conditions. The dry grass around the property was about a metre high, and with the season came bugs and ticks. It was dirty everywhere. The hot water was enough for one child and one adult at the same time, then ran out. We’d told them in advance we planned to use the pool, but it hadn’t been maintained for ages and was full of bugs and rubbish. Workers were building another annex beside it, and we had people watching us throughout the weekend. Even after paying €125 for a “Monte” with two bedrooms and a kitchenette, breakfast cost an extra €6 per person. It was bread, cheese, ham, butter, jam, and cereal, with milk, coffee, and juice to drink. That was it. The capsule coffee machine was another extra. I’m sad about what’s become of the place I visited five years ago, when it had life and activities. This time, we only saw a woman who welcomed us and handled breakfast. It felt very unwelcoming. I’d advise people not to try it.

The pool was pleasant, but cleanliness could’ve been much better. With so much dust around, cleaning every three days isn’t enough. Access is reasonable for a rural tourism spot, but the path from the parking area to reception and the rooms is in very poor condition. It’s especially dangerous at night because there’s no lighting. Tip: go when there’s a full moon.

The welcome was unbelievably unfriendly. I’m descended from people from Alentejo and have stayed at several rural tourism places there, but this one disappointed me the most. The jacuzzi seems to be just for show, and the friendliness was basically below zero. I used a small grill that was there, and it was immediately taken away. I was even told that if I wasn’t happy, I could leave right then. There are no signs, so anyone arriving gets confused. To reach reception, or if you’re unlucky enough to stay near it, you’d better have an off-road vehicle or strong legs. I went to the pool at night with my children, and they turned off the lights, apparently because we were bothering them. I wouldn’t repeat or recommend this experience.