Casa pinto

We spent one night in mid-June and thought the hotel was fantastic. Our room faced the church and had good natural light. There were also rooms on that floor facing the back, though they probably looked out onto nearby roofs. The rear-facing roof terrace overlooks the countryside below. Breakfast was good, the interior design was great, and the AC worked well. Our bathroom had a large stone shower. It was very quiet, with a few restaurants nearby. We had a late lunch down the street, then jet lag meant we slept through dinner. The owner and staff prefer Portuguese or Google Translate, and were helpful when we asked, without being too present. For loading and unloading, you can drive into town and stop in front of the hotel by the church. Afterward, park at what I'd call the base outside the walls. There's the main entrance and an east exit close to the hotel, and you can walk up either street from the parking.

The location is hard to beat, with the castle and several restaurants just a few steps away. There’s plenty of parking down the hill, and it’s easier to leave the car there and walk up for two minutes. The room was clean, with a comfortable bed, but the breakfast was a joke: stale-looking scrambled eggs, rolls and a little cheese. I had to go into the kitchen to ask for coffee, and when I asked for butter, the attendant tossed a few packets onto the table. My wife also had to find the front desk attendant to get a hairdryer. It’s a nice hotel, but no way is it four stars. If all you want is a clean room in a good spot, though, it could work. It really depends on what you expect.

Be careful on the roof terrace steps on your way down. They’re steep, and after the bright daylight and the view, it’s easy to miss the half-triangular step. The room’s design also got in the way of using it comfortably. Breakfast was minimalist, despite what other reviews say, and hardly a hearty meal. You need to arrive before 7 pm or you’ll be locked out, so don’t get a puncture or have any other trouble on the way there.

We got a bit lost because the entrance didn’t match Google Maps, but it was sorted out in about ten minutes. My wife and I stayed one night and slept really well. It was quiet and comfortable, and continental breakfast was included.