Casa do Terreiro

The accommodation's cleanliness and amenities were our biggest disappointment. The house hadn't been cleaned: food scraps were left in the freezer, there was mold on the walls and dust on the furniture, and we had to wash the dishes before using them. The toilet leaked and the shower drained poorly. The kitchen was very basic, with no pots and pans, only metal-handled containers as another review had mentioned. There was no colander for rice, no vegetable peeler, just one knife that cut properly, the others had rounded tips, and no salad spinner. The bed upstairs was comfortable and a normal size, but the others were small. At 1.64 m tall, my feet reached the end of the bed. When we raised these issues with the owner, at first only asking for a colander and the advertised toaster, her tone became much less friendly. I understand she was offended by our criticism, but the facts are the facts. She even made a threatening gesture toward my partner and criticized French people, saying she'd had problems with them in the past. We cut our stay short and found accommodation at the same price that was more than adequate. In the end, our stay was much more pleasant and enjoyable. The owner had received us very warmly and speaks French. The house is well located for getting around the area, with many hiking trails nearby and the sea within reach. But it's opposite a café terrace, where the kitchen ventilation opens into the courtyard, and next to a church whose bells ring every hour, day and night. The main road is also close. The traditional, typical character of the house itself wasn't what disappointed us.

The owners, sra Maria and her son Hugo, were extremely kind and even treated us to a delicious welcome afternoon. The house is fully equipped, and everyday needs are easy to take care of within a 200 m radius. It's very quiet and close to Ponte de Lima, Arcos de Valdevez, and the Rota dos Vinhos Verdes, just a step from Parque da Peneda-Gerês. I'll definitely come back.

I didn't sleep a wink because the church right next door is incredibly loud, ringing every half hour, day and night, to mark the half-hour and hour. The house is generally very nice, but that detail matters. Luckily, we'd only booked one night. It was unbearable, and I definitely won't return.

Pretty good overall, though it feels quite small for six people.