Estalagem Quintinha Sao Joao Hotel

“ Nice small and friendly 5 star hotel in a quiet location. Large rooms and attractive gardens. Food is good but not exceptional.

“ Top Tip: La Belle Terrasse restaurant up the road is very nice (not cheap but very very good food and service).

“ When we arrived we were just a little disappointed as the gardens were not as big as we had been led to expect from descriptions and photos in brochures and website. However, the gardens are lovely just not as 'deep' or 'wide' as we'd expected. The indoor pool on the roof is great and always very warm. The outdoor pool is smallish but perfectly formed - although the area by the pool could benefit from a few more loungers. All the hotel staff were efficient and courteous especially in the bars and reception and very willing to help in any way they could. Upon arrival, we were told that 'as you know there is building work going on'. We did not know, but were not inconvenienced very much at all (the occasional drill which did not start until about 10 a.m.) but we were offered a complimentary meal with wine. The dining room is being extended which will be a great advantage as breakfast particularly is very busy! Sometimes it felt as if we were in a restaurant carriage on a train as the tables tended to be in a row! We were on half board and enjoyed the meals (even though they did not perhaps reflect the Michelin review) and when there was something on the menu we really didn't like, we were immediately offered another choice . We did wish sometimes that we had taken the flexible dining offer and perhaps eaten out about 4/5 of our 11 nights. Our bedroom was a good size, with a small balcony by the garden, on the ground floor and good sized bathroom. The bath was a little dated with moulded shapes by the elbows, and quite narrow making getting out of it a bit difficult! The over-bath shower was of its type very good but with the removal of the often superfluous bidet a good-sized shower cubicle could have been provided and would eliminate the need for horrid and rather smelly shower curtains along the bath. Our room and bathroom was always kept beautifully clean.

“ This is a beautiful homely hotel and the staff are amazing - so friendly and very helpful. The hotel is very welcoming, comfortable and has a lovely peaceful atmosphere. The gardens are beautiful and a real pleasure to spend time in. The food is very enjoyable and the restaurant staff are very attentive. The room was very spacious, comfortable and clean - the housekeeping staff are very attentive also.

The facilities at the hotel are very good and the guest relations staff member is so helpful with trip/sightseeing advice.

Would definately return to hotel.

“ Top Tip: The was a local cafe/bar just a short walk from hotel - locals used and good value

“ We had a wonderful holiday. The staff were so attentive but not overpowering. The feeling of the hotel was homely and relaxed. A wonderful idea of no clocks, a great way to make you unwind fast. We would go back again and again.