Pico do Refúgio - Casas de Campo

Everything. Genuinely THE WORST experience I have ever had. Style over substance. Here's some headlines: Staff are awful - rude and only engage or reply when they feel like it (I have no doubt the manager will respond to this review with the usual sarcasm when they get any negative reviews, gaslighting their guests). We stayed during a 3 day 'local festival' that we weren't pre-warned about that turned into a rave with music so loud our walls were vibrating until 2.30am every night. Apparently the accommodation has no responsibility for this and describes local festivals as natural ambient noise and part of their Ts & Cs so you just have to suck it up. In addition, the property has no oven so you can't cook and so isn't really self-catering, has enough water to wash your feet only before it runs out and you have to wait two hours for it to warm up again. On top of all of this, a bird flew into our apartment on the first night which the hotel didn't deal with so we had an extra guest all night. They also failed to deal with it all of the next day so it flew around whilst we were out and dust from the beams and bird excrement was literally everywhere - all over our beds, surfaces and the floor (see photos). Each one of these issues were not dealt with with grace or any basic level of customer service. Instead you are made to smell the local tea and informed where the honey comes from and the local art. To be honest I'd take a quiet place to stay, that's clean and with hot water and pleasant staff over local tea. Next time I'll stay in a hostel for 50 euros a night. I tried to express my disappointment to the owner who was also very rude and informed me he was above having to deal with guest issues. I highly suspect all the positive reviews are from local artist friends or family as there is no way a normal guest would enjoy their stay here. AVOID AT ALL COSTS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

Can’t wait to stay again Wonderful stay! Great location. Amazingly helpful staff. Beautiful property. Central location. Wonderful daily breakfast!

The property is a dream!