One Bedroom House in Povoa Dao

It's a pleasant place in daylight, when the warm sun brings visitors, and a nice spot if you're looking to rest. After dark it can feel a little eerie. The village seems abandoned, or at least gives that impression. It used to feel livelier and much more interesting a few years ago. The pool, tennis court, and restaurant are all closed.

Ten years ago I would have given it five stars. Now the restaurant has been closed since September, seven months ago, weeds are pushing between the paving stones and growing along the paths, and the chapel is shut. The wood on the porches is rotting, the pool water is a greenish black, and the tennis court is buried under leaves and tree branches. It's a shadow of what it used to be.

One star because zero isn't an option. It's isolated and feels like a ghost village, with an empty restaurant, houses with nobody in them, and not a soul in sight. It was scary. The owner refused to accept a cancellation. After I contacted booking, they eventually agreed, but charged a penalty of half the amount paid. €50 a night!!! A rip-off!