Quinta das Aveleiras

The staff were super friendly and even had a food basket waiting for us when we arrived. It was a very peaceful place with an incredible view, and we loved the swimming pool.

Bring enough food and drink with you. From the reception, which is close to the road, the route up to the accommodation is a very steep, narrow cobblestone path, and going back down to the town supermarket is a challenge. It's not suitable for anyone with mobility issues or nervous drivers. We booked a traditional round house. No one was at reception when we arrived, but we'd received the key box code by email shortly beforehand, and it worked fine. Staff could be reached by phone and spoke English. The location on a steep mountainside felt traditional in the best sense. Don't expect luxury, but the stay was pleasant and the view amazing. It felt like an experience, and the facilities were adequate. There's a nice swimming pool with sun loungers and a tennis court.

We found a MOUSE inside the house when we arrived, and there was a strong smell of damp. Getting to the houses was awful, along a narrow, unlit path made entirely of stone. The customer support experience was just as bad. We immediately asked for a refund, but were told that houses out in the hills can have animals. We had to file a complaint through booking and I'm still waiting for this to be resolved. Worst experience of my life! I do NOT recommend it at all.

The place itself is beautiful, but they should tell people about the terrible access when they're asked for directions. We asked in advance whether it was suitable to arrive by motorbike and were told it was fine. Once there, we couldn't even get the bikes up to the house. The road is completely uneven stone, with no traction at all, and the turning radius is extremely tight. It's like the Stelvio Pass with even tighter turns. Avoid it at all costs if you're arriving by motorbike or large car.