São João da Venda Vacations from $808

The resort was very nice, right on the beach. Pools were nice. The pool chairs were kinda old and worn out. The place was full of 18-20 year old british kids who treated the pool like they were the only ones there. You could tell the other guests were not happy about it too. Food at the resort wasn’t great. We went to the a la cart breakfast which took forever because they had one server and the kitchen was in a separate building. The other restaurants on property were not rated well so we ate elsewhere.

Excellent staff. Great location. Short walk to sandy beach. Only negative is that it was a little remote from town.

It was a beautiful location, staff was very friendly

Lovely hotel - we spent 5 nights there as a family of 4 to celebrate my wife’s 50th. Staff were very friendly and nothing was too much trouble. They gave her a personal card and made her a birthday cake and the whole staff inc the management came to our table to wish her well - it was a lovely moment. The hotel is spotlessly clean and the staff work tirelessly to clean and maintain throughout the day. The work ethic is very clear and you get the feeling that everyone who works there cares about what they do and takes pride in it - something you don’t often see at other hotels or at bigger name brands. Our 2 bed apartment was really comfortable and well appointed. We had half board and the food was really excellent and worthy of 4 stars or more. Great selection at breakfast inc made to order omelettes etc. There was a different theme of food every night and as well as the buffet, there was live cooking to order of various fish and meats. Very good value addition to our booking. Our teenage kids were also allowed to order from the a la carte menu up to a very reasonable value as part of half board if they couldn’t see anything they wanted on the buffet. Only slight gripe was the very cold temperature of the outside pools but other than that all the outside spaces were really delightful. Easy walk to a nearby village area with a Spar shop and bars and walking distance to the marina. It’s such a nice place, food amazing and people incredible- we would definitely go back!!

Greated by a very friendly reception team. From then down hill! Greater for breakfast and lunch struggled to even ask for your room number, made to feel an inconvenience more interested in her phone and talking to colleagues. Evening great great remember our room number after 1 evening and greater with a big smile. Lady at the bar around the pool very welcoming. Hotel full off middle aged men playing golf and when not playing getting wasted on the all inclusive menu, felt at times like you were in the middle of stag parties when they weren’t playing golf. Not really appropriate for families and kids at this point. Hotel is now dated, visited years ago and apart from reception being updated the rooms are not, furniture and rooms are tired and need money spent updating. No tea and coffee facilities in the room, that’s not 5 stars! Sorry certainly not how I remember and won’t be going back! Lots of better hotels to choose from on that coastline trust me!