Quinta do Castanheiro

My reservation was cancelled at the very last minute after I arrived, even though it had been confirmed several times online and by phone. They didn’t even apologize. All they offered was a small room for 120 euros, which my friend and I obviously didn’t take. The place also looked nothing like the photos. The surrounding nature was rather burnt, and the pool was more like a frog-filled pond. A countryside style still means taking care of the place you offer guests. Probably the WORST place I’ve ever been. Sintra has plenty of beautiful places to stay, so don’t go here.

My husband and I loved it, so we took a chance and were glad we did. The landscape is beautiful, the place has a lovely atmosphere, and the staff are friendly. It’s definitely for nature lovers and works well for a one or two night stay. If you’re a chain hotel person, you might not appreciate it.

The rooms felt cold and damp, and there was very little privacy. Curtains didn’t close all the way, so anyone walking by could see in. The bathroom and shower weren’t much better, since the doors didn’t close fully and only locked from the outside. On the plus side, it’s a good base for hiking to the castles, with a nice outlook over the property and a camping feel. There’s a fireplace in the rooms too.

The service was a disaster, basically nonexistent. They didn’t change the towels or even replace the toilet paper. You might be able to ask someone if you happen to see a staff member, but good luck finding one. They asked what time we’d check in, then left us waiting outside for an hour. The place was filthy, falling apart or partly broken, and felt quite dangerous. It looked nothing like the pictures. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.