Monte Real Hotel, Termas & Spa

The buffet tasted good, though I found a dead fly in the octopus after putting it on my plate. I didn’t mention it then because I didn’t want to draw attention to it or put other guests off. Not long afterwards, I was unexpectedly asked to sign a drinks receipt, so perhaps that would have been the moment to say something. We’d booked half board, but no one had asked us to sign for drinks or given us a receipt until the second-to-last evening. Then I was asked to sign one but wasn’t given a copy. I also hadn’t seen other guests signing receipts. The restaurant staff were friendly, though the way this was handled seemed puzzling. The hotel is beautiful, and our room was very clean. Housekeeping did a great job. There was some evening and nighttime noise with the balcony door open, so we had to use the air conditioning. Water service at the restaurant varied too: sometimes we got a bucket of ice and lemon slices, other times small bottles or large ones with nothing extra. After these odd and unsettling experiences, I’m not sure I’d return or recommend it.

The staff are the main reason we want to come back. We’ve stayed here more than once, and everyone, from reception to the restaurant, bar, and spa, has been consistently lovely. They greet you with a smile and offer help straight away, without it feeling forced. That hasn’t been our experience at other places, including another hotel in the same group. The team seems happy to work here, and their care really shaped our stay. We spent three nights here for another great weekend. The hotel is in a quiet village with little going on, surrounded by forest and nature. Walking paths connect to longer hiking routes, and we visited the little animal farm on the property more than once to see its happy inhabitants. The building looks beautiful inside and out. The interior is pleasant and nicely decorated, though it could use some maintenance here and there. The surroundings and hotel both make for a calming, relaxing atmosphere. Breakfast was very good, with fresh, varied products. The restaurant’s dishes and desserts were excellent, and the names on the menu don’t quite prepare you for how good they taste. Portions were generous enough that we shared some meals, and we’d hoped to work our way through the menu.

You can get to some lovely places with a short drive, while staying away from the crowds. The grounds are green and fresh, with a small animal farm and a tennis court, and parking is included. Our room was comfortable, with blinds that kept the light out and good soundproofing. The breakfast buffet was excellent, and the restaurant served tasty food at fair prices. The staff were great too. I’d definitely recommend it.

The staff were so friendly and flexible. We asked for a later checkout because our toddler doesn’t nap until 12pm, and they accommodated us. The only downside was the flies, probably because of the nearby woods, which we otherwise loved. We absolutely loved our stay at Monte Real. It’s the most family-friendly hotel we’ve stayed at so far. There’s a farm with animals, a baby playroom, table tennis, a PlayStation room, an inflatable castle, as well as the regular pool and spa. We’d love to come back sometime.