4/5 Good
Barnaby L.
26 Jul 2018
A gem of a house nestled in the hills, 10 minutes from the beach
The house is solid stone and stays cool in the heat. It's tastefully decorated with classic dark wood and terracotta floors. The bedrooms are all comfortably large, the bathrooms are clean and function well with adequate hot water for a family. There is covered parking for two cars; a real benefit in the heat. The pool is properly maintained without using too much chlorine. There is a beautiful church only five minutes or so by foot. The gardens have green lawns and offer enough space for guests to find their own little corner to snooze away the afternoon. We stayed with a two year old and other than normal supervision, there was no need for special attention; the pool is entirely shut-off with a gate, and there is a swingset, a wendy-house, and a model ride-on tractor. The weather in this region is cooler than I expected, which makes sleeping comfortable. There is often an ocean mist in the morning, which burns away by lunchtime. The beaches are incredible, even on the weekend you can find your own patch of sand. There are acceptable restaurants, good snacks and beach shops along the front in VP Ancora. The local towns are worth a visit, with historical sites and a nice market in Viana do Castelo. The only thing that could have made this stay better would have been a more modern washing machine for clothes, but we managed OK nonetheless. Really, an exceptional week, with a warm personal welcome from the owner. It can be a little tricky to find, even with GPS. The best way is to use the church ('Igreja') as a landmark.
Barnaby L.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018