Quinta da Lagoa

We stayed three nights and really enjoyed switching off by the pool. In July the water was a good temperature for swimming. The hotel is chipped in a few places, but it’s all clean and tidy. Staff are friendly, although one or two more would help. The buffet restaurant was okay for €20, and the bar and its snacks are good value. We’ll definitely return for another short break.

The beds were really comfortable and the bathroom was spotless. The hotel has a modern design and is in a great area. Staff were polite, although check-out took a little longer than expected. I enjoyed the stay and would come back.

We usually stay at Herdade Lago Real when we’re on holiday in Mira, but this time we tried its sister hotel, Quinta da Lagoa. The design was similar, and we had a great experience. The swimming areas are separate in some spots, and you can sunbathe by the lagoon or take a small boat out. Our room was a bit dated but fine, and the bathroom was spacious. Breakfast was okay, the staff were friendly, and massages cost extra but were still cheap.

We came back for four nights, this time with my wife, and had a lovely stay. I’d complained about the hard mattress on my earlier visit, but I’ve since learned Portuguese mattresses tend to be very firm. This one didn’t feel too hard, and I slept well all four nights. The room had a huge bed, a full bathtub, great shower pressure, and a separate toilet area in the bathroom, which my wife always appreciates when we travel together. There was also a small balcony over a cornfield and the lake, a perfect view around Halloween with the full moon. There’s plenty to do on the grounds: bikes to borrow, ping pong, paddle boats, two pools, a bar, lovely paths to wander, and even a private lakeshore. The staff were all super friendly, and the property was impeccably maintained. It’s nicely located between Mira and Praia de Mira, both about a five to six minute drive away, with terrific restaurants. My wife says the photos here don’t do the place justice. I’d shown her pictures from my previous visit, and she wasn’t impressed until she saw it in person. My first review was based on the price. I hadn’t realized it was a full resort with a beach and multiple pools, and I didn’t have time to enjoy those then, but I planned to return. The staff were wonderful and switched to English right away when they saw I was struggling with Portuguese. The only issue then was the very hard bed.