Noiva Do Mar

For a four-star hotel, I expected more. At €140 a night, the service felt a bit expensive for what we got. Staff had to be called by phone, since no one was ever at the main reception or the pool desk, and the pool bar wasn't operating. There were ants in the room, it wasn't cleaned after one day, and the towels weren't replaced until we asked. Breakfast was supposed to be a buffet, but we had to request more eggs and bread twice. I understand not wanting to waste food, but they know how many guests they have. The bread bowl was empty, so I asked for some; it was brought straight to us, while guests arriving later had none again. There was also glass on the floor around the apartment and hotel. If all you want is a place to sleep and enjoy the pool and view, it's okay.

We had a two-bedroom apartment beside the pool, with lovely views, especially at sunset. It was very peaceful by the outdoor pool overlooking the ocean, and there's an indoor pool as an option when the weather isn't good. Shops, restaurants, and the beaches at Porto das Barcas and Peralta are not far away. Breakfast was very good, with lots to choose from.

We booked what was meant to be a luxurious four-night break, but the restaurant was closed for our whole stay when we arrived in May 2023. The spa jacuzzi was empty, and access to the “facilities” cost €7.50 for every two hours. The grounds looked neglected and in need of an overhaul. We can't say whether the beach is 500m away, since we didn't bring abseiling gear to get down the steep cliff. The four-star rating seems well out of date. The staff did their best, but after one night we left, having slept badly in a hard bed in a room that felt a little damp. There are so many nicer places to stay on the silver coast. Don't waste your money here.

This didn't feel like a four-star stay, and you'll need a rental car. We weren't told until we arrived that the restaurant was closed; the next open one was a 30-minute walk away. The place wasn't clean, there were bugs everywhere, and going outside after dark meant using a flashlight. We reserved the spa three hours ahead, but nothing was ready: the sauna was cold, the hot tub wasn't in use, the jacuzzi was dirty and cold, and there was no robe. The outdoor pool was dirty, at 10 Celsius, and offered no wind cover for sunbathing. The bar was shut, and reception was often unattended. Our room's bathtub was broken and leaking, and there wasn't enough hot water for two people to shower. A very disappointing stay. I don't recommend it.