Estalagem Do Vale

The staff were the best part of the stay. They did their best to help, despite having to work with poorly maintained facilities. I wouldn’t recommend the hotel, as it fell well short of what I expect from a four-star place. The room ventilation was the main reason I wouldn’t come back. It was louder than anywhere I’ve stayed, coming through a ceiling hatch with a grille that couldn’t be turned off. It sounded like being in a technical room, so I needed earplugs every night. The listed amenities were disappointing too. The indoor pool was just an outdoor pool under a plastic cover. The jacuzzi seemed to be permanently out of order, based on other reviews and the welcome guide in the room, where “out of order” was printed. We’d been looking forward to relaxing in it, so that was a major letdown. The gym was tiny and had almost no equipment.

The area is quiet, though the hotel sits in the middle of the village and there’s nothing spectacular around it. Rooms were tidy, the hotel was nice and well kept, and the staff were friendly. Breakfast was really good. It’s a good place overall, though I don’t think it offers great value for money.

The service was great, but the restaurant food was a shock. I’d expected more from a 4-star hotel. It’s a quiet, nice hotel, and I’d have given it five stars if the bed hadn’t been so worn out and terrible, and if facilities like the gym and jacuzzi had been better maintained.

We had a lovely, relaxing weekend celebrating our wedding anniversary. The setting is beautiful and picturesque, and the hotel and lobby feel warm and welcoming. Everyone on staff was very nice and accommodating. We enjoyed delicious meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner, all vegan. Newer, firmer mattresses would have been nice, but otherwise everything was lovely.