Monchique Resort and Spa

"On arrival there was confusion over our booked suite. The matter was resolved very efficiently by Sr. Pedro who was a credit to your staff. We found all of the staff with whom we dealt, smiling ,friendly and efficient. The breakfasts were as good and probably better than any of the hotels we have stayed in over the last 25 years.Lots of choice, constantly replenished and a varied choice. The concept of “take away meals” from your various outlets was both imaginative and excellent quality. The Spa was a wonderful experience where we had the Couples Special package, massages, and champagne/chocolate and sauna treatments. Excellent! This was our fourth visit which, in itself, speaks volumes about your quality. Thank you!"

"Excellent polite kind and considerate world class service  Mariella provides excellent yoga and meditation classes and effectively adds the use of good quality essential oils. She caters well for all levels from beginners to advanced practitioners  Andrei is on hand to give good tips on local boat trips and other excursions  Mr Bruno Fernandes and his hospitality team always on hand to answer questions and provide helpful information. Good local scenic walks - information on routes provided by the reception team  Two well stocked bars with Mike an excellent experienced barista  Louise in the mezzanine bar offers a good selection of cocktails using both local and internationally renowned spirits  Great underground parking  If hiring a car use a company recommended by the hotel and avoid Greenmotion at all costs  Food excellent with wide range of bith meat and vegetarian dishes  Local restaurants are plentiful but you won't need them if all inclusive or on a half board basis.  Good cleaning daily to a high standard Outside yoga area needs refurbishment but there's an indoor alternative- Sala Zen  Overall an exceptional holiday experience  Thank you all."

"We had a lovely stay and there is a lot that this hotel gets right. The setting is beautiful – it feels peaceful and secluded, yet it's only a short trip into Monchique town for groceries, local produce, artisan shops and souvenirs. There are also some great hiking routes within a short drive of the hotel - we recommend Fóia and Passadiços Barranco do Demo. Our room was spacious, spotless and very comfortable throughout our stay. Every member of staff we encountered was friendly, proactive and accommodating, which made us feel very welcome. We also really enjoyed the activities on offer, particularly the guided hikes and pilates, where the instructors and guides were excellent. The food offer was good too, especially breakfast, and the views from the restaurant terraces were a real highlight. We booked the two-hour spa circuit, which was a relaxing experience with, once again, wonderful staff. The pools themselves were clean, well maintained and the poolside staff were always friendly. Unfortunately, what should have been one of the highlights of the resort ended up being the biggest (and, to be fair, only) disappointment of our stay. The main outdoor pool was consistently dominated by children ignoring the clearly displayed pool rules. Despite signage prohibiting ball games, running and jumping into the pool, these rules were ignored without any apparent intervention from the hotel or any parents. On several occasions we, along with other adult guests, had to leave the pool or even our sun-loungers after being repeatedly hit by footballs or drenched by children continually cannonballing into the water. It made it almost impossible to relax, which was particularly disappointing given that the main pool is arguably one of the resort's biggest selling points. I completely appreciate that this is a family-friendly hotel, and that children should absolutely be able to enjoy their holiday too. However, the resort has a separate family pool, and it would make sense for more energetic games and play to be encouraged there instead. At times it felt as though there was very little consideration for guests looking to enjoy a calmer atmosphere around the main pool. Beyond the impact on the guest experience, I was concerned about the safety aspect from the constant running around wet surfaces, jumping into a relatively shallow pool and throwing/kicking footballs in the direction of other guests. I think the hotel could significantly improve this part of the experience by either designating the main pool as adults-only (or perhaps 13+), or by having a lifeguard in place to actively enforce the existing pool rules for everyone’s safety and comfort (as mentioned the rules are already there, they just aren't being upheld at all). It's a shame because everything else about the hotel was excellent. The staff, facilities, and location all deserve high praise, but the behaviour and lack of management around the main pool had such a significant impact on our ability to relax that it did somewhat overshadow what was otherwise a fantastic holiday."