Quiet Cottage in Estate Casas da Cerca near Troviscais

I loved having quiet time in this little cozy house, with the valley and nature all around. You can walk to the nearby river, relax in the hammock, cool off in the private pool, or watch the starry sky at night. It feels right for a couple or for some solo time to reconnect with yourself and nature. There are lovely cats who enjoy a pet, and the horses add to the calm. The host was considerate and lovely to chat with, while giving us the space to enjoy the place. We had an amazing stay and would absolutely recommend it.

We couldn't find the property and the whole experience was so stressful that we didn't try to return. I've seen people on social media describe similar situations. There are no signs pointing the way, and the owner wants to keep the house's secret as part of its charm. The maps she provides look fine at first but aren't enough once you're in the maze of mountain roads. She says a 4x4 isn't needed, but don't attempt the drive without one. If something happens to your rental car on those roads, insurance won't cover it. There's no phone signal nearby, so calling her for directions is difficult. You'll need to try a landline at one of the village bars. The owner also requires 50% of the stay's cost upfront. There is no cancellation or refund policy, so you won't get that money back.

The only good thing was the nature nearby, though we came away with ticks. The place itself was terribly neglected and dirty inside and out, the worst place I’ve stayed. The chopping board hanging on the wall was covered in mold, so we took it outside and didn’t even try to clean it. The host is basically a scammer, and the locals around there were rude.

The pool water was green and dirty, and it hadn’t been cleaned. The access road was in terrible shape, and the beaches were 70 kilometers away. Everything was old, and the three houses felt abandoned and had no decent conditions. The photos on Booking.com didn’t match reality. We paid 1200€ through Booking for a week, but because I left due to the lack of even basic conditions, they won’t refund me. I’m going to file a complaint and take legal action. False advertising, a rip-off, a scam. Sergio Conceição