Albergaria Rosa Montes Hotel

“ The hotel is lovely. The rooms and living areas are really clean, well decorated, well equipped and the daily maid service can't be faulted. The breakfast is well supplied and varied - cereal, yogurts, cheese and ham, different types of bread, lots of coffee and tea etc. The pool is spotlessly maintained and there are lots of sun loungers. There is plenty of parking. There is always someone available at reception to give help and/or advice. You are given a night key to the outside door so you can let yourselves in without disturbing anyone else.

The hotel is quite a long way from anywhere. It is easily 25 minutes walk into Burgau (and we are fast and experienced walkers!) and, although we didn't attempt it, would probably be 35/40 minutes into Luz (it's easily 7-8 minutes drive). However, the roads are quiet and if you are willing to take a torch then the walk is well worth being able to make the most of the restaurants and bars in Burgau particularly! (We did this 5 nights out of 7 with no problems at all.) I would definitely recommend getting a hire car during your stay as the beaches and coastline to the west of the hotel are stunning.

“ Top Tip: We really liked the restaurants in Burgau - can't remember the name but the one nearest the seafront did an amazing monkfish casserole. Other above average places were: a restaurant (sorry can't remember the name) right on the corner of the main street and the road running steeply down to the sea - looks quite modern from the outside but serves really nice local dishes; and also "O Refugio", at 5 Largo do Poco - a street running parallel to the main one mentioned before. There are also a couple of small bars, near to the beach and looking out over the sea, where it's really lovely to have a drink in the evenings.

If you have a hire car we would definitely recommend exploring the beaches (which all have very nearby parking and are brilliant for sunbathing) at: Sagres (really beautiful, white sand, pretty cove, even though it's just off the town roundabout, it seems really isolated); Praia Bordeira, just outside Carrapateira (amazing huge flat cove beach, lots of surfers, one isolated shack at the back, brilliant for walking & v. romantic!); finally, take either of the country roads south from Raposeira and head from the coast, there are really sheltered little cove beaches with beach shacks selling great fish for lunch and (if you're feeling adventurous) nice and easy walks over the cliff top.