Monte Oliva - Turismo Rural

We spent three really restful days there.

It’s a peaceful little oasis, with lovely mountain views and tidy rooms. There were only two other rooms occupied while I was there, and the housekeeper was friendly. You’ll need a car to explore the area. The facilities are limited: there’s a shared spot with a kettle for tea and coffee, plus a small fridge in the room, but no kitchenette. I’d happily come back.

The setting and cottage itself have a lot going for them, but several problems made our 10-night stay a mixed one. The cottage was clean and nicely decorated when we arrived, with easy access and private parking. It worked well as a base for exploring southern Portugal, and the supermarket was about a 10-minute drive away. The pool and jacuzzi were lovely and had stunning views. The cleaning lady was very friendly and helpful, and the videos explaining how things work around the property were useful. Noise was a real issue both inside and outside. The cottage is near a water treatment plant, so there’s constant background noise, and it sits under a flight path with loud planes regularly passing overhead. The cottages are built in pairs, and we could hear the neighbors talking and cooking. Wasps also made it difficult to eat breakfast or anything else on the terrace. The pool looked lovely, though we noticed some dirty spots. Most of the grounds were cared for, but some plants on the terrace were overgrown. There’s also a cat on the property that sometimes tries to come inside and begs for food. We had trouble with the mattress from the first night, with the metal springs noticeable through it. A replacement came only after the second night and a lot of discussion with the agency. It was frustrating to have to explain at first why it was uncomfortable. After day five, the air conditioning stopped working properly. We reported it but heard nothing at first. We got a reply a few days later, after following up, and were told it would be fixed, but it wasn’t during our stay. The kitchen is very basic, with just two electric burners and few pots and pans. There’s no hot water at the sink, which made washing dishes difficult. The cottage has an attractive location and furnishings, but the noise, lack of follow-up on the air conditioning, basic kitchen, and mattress trouble weigh heavily. If the service and noise issues were addressed, this could be a five-star place. Right now, it comes with a big ‘but.’

The area is beautiful and easy to reach by car, and the helpful, friendly staff made the stay even better. The studios are well equipped, the jacuzzi is fantastic, and the pool was spotless. It felt like a little piece of paradise. We’ll definitely be back.