Find the Cheap Sao Paio Hotels

We picked this location as we were going to a music festival nearby and taking odd days to explore the area…in between we were hoping to chill by the pool. How disappointed were. The plastic tree that greets you in the reception, is a pretty good representation of what you are going to get…Fake, this place is soulless and fake, but what makes it worse, it’s “tired fake”. From the dirty grubby carpets and chairs, black scuff marks on the once clean white walls and the cheap Italian style melamine furniture now chipped exposing its self for what it really is .. cheap coated chipboard. The first night we booked a table for dinner, on our way out we thought we’d have a drink in the bar first. The bar was empty of customers and bar staff so we made our way to the restaurant. The food was so bad it was comical. The tenderloin I ordered was so tough it should have been served with a chainsaw on the side. Breakfast the next morning was the same odd, awkward experience. But one thing we did realise they were actually other people staying at the hotel, not couples as you’d expect in a spa hotel but large families with lots of kids. We made our way out for the day. On our return we thought we we have a few hours buy the pool, .not possible, the pool was full of screaming children. So next option, sit on the balcony with a drink.. the balcony walls had black mold on them and the wooden deck was almost rotten and didn’t feel safe. Anyway below you had more screaming kids playing ball games. The 2nd morning we woke up and noticed that the 2 coffee pods that we had on the first morning hadn’t been replaced, I asked at reception on the way out and was told I need to pay an extra 1€ per pod after the first night.? Also the shower gel and shampoo were not replenished after the 3rd day I had to go to reception again and ask for them. I could go on… basically this place made us miserable, so miserable we changed our flight home at extra cost and checked out 2 days earlier than we were booked in for, losing the money for those last 2 nights. I would not recommend staying here.

We were in awe of this home. So much to explore and so much history! Loved the thick granite walls and original wooden doors/shutters with hardware, antiques and displays everywhere, beautiful view, and even a pool. It is situated in a quaint little area by a church and you can easily walk down to the river. The area around Ponte da Barca is absolutely beautiful and fun to explore. The hosts are very friendly and offered a lovely breakfast.

We stayed here as part of a golfing trip to northern Portugal. We enjoyed the golf course which is very good … if lacking in decent practice facilities. The hotel is nothing special … clean and functional - no bar, but you can buy alcohol in reception for consumption in your room. There is a pool and gym attached which is for use by hotel guests - and outside members too. The staff in the gym were very friendly and helpful. The breakfast is ok. As the hotel does not have a restaurant, we had a package which allowed us to eat in the golf club restaurant. The food here is very mediocre indeed … a set menu with a choice of two dishes per course (more for desert). My veal pasta was pretty much inedible on one night I am sad to say. The staff in the restaurant are very hit and miss … apart from Miguel who tried exceedingly hard and looked after us very well. Thumbs up to him!