SÃO VICENTE LODGE - Atlantic Retreat

The apartment has a great ocean view, and the rooftop terrace is especially nice for watching the sunrise or sunset. There’s also a small terrace by the apartment, plus a covered outdoor seating area with a grill that must be lovely in summer. We were four adults, and the two of us on the sofa slept comfortably. The apartment is modern and fairly new, close to the ocean, with plenty of parking and a pool. We skipped the pool because early May was still chilly. Check-in is self-service with no staff on site, but the instructions were clear and everything worked perfectly. Inside, the compact kitchen has a kettle, coffee maker, microwave, dishwasher, sink, and basic dishes. It’s fine for lunch or a simple meal, though not for elaborate cooking. There’s also a bathroom with toilet and a TV. If you have a car, it’s a great place to stay. Shops and restaurants aren’t really within a short walk, so having your own transport makes things much easier.

That sea view is amazing. Waking up to it makes for a relaxed start to the day, and the room was clean. Still, a lot of the finishing touches feel poorly thought out. The room seems built for giants, especially the kitchen, which is way too high. The kitchen is also poorly equipped, with no coffee, cling film, aluminum foil, or olive oil, and not much storage. People on vacation aren’t going to bring basic cooking supplies. There aren’t any restaurants or laundromats nearby, and the lodge charges an outrageous price for laundry. The carpet edges are curling up, and there’s no living room table or place to set a computer. And that kitchen is so high.

We spent a lot of time enjoying the ocean view through the huge living room window. It made me feel incredibly peaceful, and the big terrace was lovely too. We could watch cows feeding in the neighboring field, and the sunrises were 🤌🤌. The hotel also has parking and clearly explained self check-in, which was handy for exploring the island by car. It was quite windy, as expected, and humid inside, but there were two AC units to help.

The location was good, close to several attractions. The room was tidy and clean, the bed was comfortable, and the ocean view was nice. Check-in directions were simple, the WiFi was fast, and there were a few things for cooking a small meal. It was windy, so I couldn’t really enjoy the balcony. I could hear people talking in the corridor and the next room. When my neighbor cooked breakfast, the smell of his fried eggs came into my room.