Hotel Carvalho Araújo

The location is the strongest point: the hotel sits just one street above town and has private underground parking. For the March rate of 75€, though, the stay felt mixed, with value for money at 6/10. My scores were 7.2/10 overall, 10/10 for location, 6/10 for service, 7/10 for breakfast, 7/10 for cleanliness and 7/10 for the room and facilities. We asked for a quiet room, but although only around 3-4 rooms were occupied, guests were put in neighboring rooms. Sound insulation was poor, so it was hard to have a quiet stay. That added to the sense that staff weren’t very attentive. Information was limited, and while we sat by the fireplace, nobody topped it up even as staff walked past. The rooms have some age to them, though they’ve been given a more modern feel and are pleasant. There was visible mold on the window frames, and the beds were on the hard side. Breakfast starts at 8:30, which is late for a national park where people often head out for early hikes. Everyone seemed to arrive right at opening. The food selection was limited, with no real vegan choices apart from soy milk and jam, and the breakfast staff didn’t seem particularly motivated. The location is a real plus, but the service, upkeep and guest experience need work for the price.