Casa do Castelo

The staff were attentive and helpful, always trying to make our stay better. I especially enjoyed the charming patio, where you can sit and take in the lovely Alentejo village. The house was pleasant and very clean. It was an extraordinary stay, and I’d definitely come back.

The house was basic but adequate, and the location was good. When we arrived, a girl who lives across the street with her grandmother greeted us. That was about all there was to it, though, and we left disappointed. The dishwasher leaked and overflowed every time we used it, so we had to dry the kitchen daily. When we left, we gave the key to the grandmother and told her it wasn’t working properly. She said, “Don’t worry, that’s normal,” and we went on our way. Two weeks after our trip, the owners sent us a payment demand through Airbnb for a broken dishwasher, a clogged toilet, a clogged bathtub, and one missing knife, one fork and two cups. We were incredibly disappointed. We paid because we’re responsible people, but for that same reason I’d recommend staying somewhere else. This place is nothing special.

The rooms were spacious and clean, with a really welcoming feel to the decor. The hosts gave us a lovely reception and were available from the start if we needed advice or had any questions. It’s a great place to experience the historic, Alentejo character of Santiago do Cacém. We had a fantastic stay, would definitely recommend it, and will certainly be back.

I wouldn’t recommend it. The house is very nice, but when you leave they expect you to pay for damage that was already there from the start. They even asked for €22 to clean a sheet with drops of blood, which was totally unreasonable. After a seven-night stay, they also charged for replacing a knife or fork.