Casas do Monte

The views from the windows, across the Atlantic, Capelas’ northern shore and the coastal communities, were captivating, especially at night. Even though the house is only a few hundred metres from the main road, evenings were quiet apart from the crickets. The countryside setting still leaves you just minutes from restaurants and other amenities in Capelas and Santo Antonio. Hydrangeas and pink lilies line the drive, with London Plane trees around the house, and there are fresh hydrangea arrangements indoors too. Maria, the owner, is a real gem, warm and friendly. Chat with her and she’ll tell you about the history of her family home, the old cow barn that’s now a guest house, and the little guest house by the pool. There’s also a playhouse for children in the carefully kept yard. Spending time in the small chapel attached to the main house was a privilege. We stayed in part of the main house, which has belonged to the same family since the 16th century. Antiques fill the rooms, alongside a few family photos and paintings that offer a glimpse of the people who lived here. You can feel the care put into making guests comfortable. The attic bedroom, with all its old objects and memories, was unlike any room I’ve seen and would suit families. Its window looks out over a field the family still owns and now rents out. The kitchen has been updated with modern appliances and granite counters, and it’s well stocked. At the same time, the thick stone doorways, stone stove and fireplace, clay pots and bowls, and oversized wooden spoons keep the old character intact. Even the baby highchair is an antique. You can picture people sharing meals here centuries ago. The bathrooms, plumbing and lighting have also been updated while keeping that feel. Lights that once used fire or oil now work with bulbs. We’ve travelled to many countries, and this was one of those rare stays that stays with you. It let my mind wander through the centuries and imagine all the families and moments this home has held. I highly recommend it. Thank you, Maria.

A little paradise in Açores! Maria is so warm and friendly. The apartment was clean, cozy, and had everything we needed for a holiday. The swimming pool is amazing :)

The place itself was nice, but there were several problems with comfort and service. There was no air conditioning or window screens, so we ended up with bugs everywhere. We had to provide our own toilet paper, and towels were hard to get. None arrived regularly, and we didn’t receive any until a week into our stay. The house was never cleaned during the two weeks we were there. There was no arrival handoff, and no rules were given or mentioned to us. The owner later called the police, saying we’d broken facility rules. One complaint was that we’d swum after 7 p.m. She also filed a complaint with the ambensy. There was name-calling, and she was very unprofessional in how she handled the matter.

We had a great time in the three-bedroom house. It’s a lovely, peaceful spot. Thank you!