ベンダシュ・ノバシュのIgreja São Domingos Sávioホテル

Too expensive for what it offers. Overbearing and foolish management that won't admit its mistakes. Decisions that favor business events instead of the relaxation they claim to offer leisure guests. Access is 1.5km on dirt, full of terraces from tractors, which makes it impossible for a car to go more than 10kms/h without breaking the shock absorbers. At check-in there was a group of around 50 people at the entrance to the hotel. We headed for the pool and were surprised by the same group on the pool terrace. It was a company team building event with food, drink and a lot of noise. It was impossible to rest. Small, plastic outdoor pool overlooking the air-conditioned rooms. The company's employees took over the hotel and filmed us with a drone while we were in the pool, without any authorization or warning. This is a clear disregard on the part of the hotel for the privacy of its guests. We went to the room and found the sheets and pillows dirty. The group continued to make noise all afternoon all over the property, on a peddy paper, running and shouting, and even peering into the bedroom windows in search of something. Later, we had dinner in the hotel restaurant and the group continued to sing Alentejo songs and drink at the bar throughout the meal. In addition, the dishes we ordered (cod and sea bream) were salty. After dinner we went to reception and told them that we didn't want to stay at the hotel next night, arguing what I'd explained and asking for a refund for the next night we wouldn't be staying. We were told that the next day they would talk to the superior to see what the situation was. On the way back to the room we found a plague of insects near the entrance and on the outside walls of our room and the adjoining rooms. The next day we showered and smelled of chlorine, the level used in the water. At breakfast the group was still in the hotel. We went to reception and the receptionists told us that we wouldn't be refunded the €190 for the night we hadn't stayed. We left and they kept the money. Relaxation and tranquility?!?

The hotel has a lot of potential, like the architecture and surroundings, however the generalized lack of empathy and professionalism by the staff ruins it in our opinion. Case in point: on check out, I asked to be invoiced under my name and company. “Mr C” said the invoice could be under my company name but would also need to reference my wife’s name instead of mine, as the booking was made by her. This was of no use for me, so I asked whether there was a way around this issue, as this has happened for us before at other hotels and they were easily able to accommodate the change. The answer was no – the software had recorded everything under my wife’s name. I then joked that ok, but maybe they should consider changing their software, to which he insisted that the software was doing what it was supposed to. So: 1) the staff was unable to put himself in my shoes and understand this was an impactful situation; 2) he was unable to escalate to management to find a solution; 3) not only did he not understand this was a reasonable request (attended to at other hotels), he insisted on making a point that everything was correct (hence I was incorrect); 4) total lack of empathy and professionalism. In the end he should have just said “sorry that we cannot accommodate your needs”. This was just an example. In the restaurant, there was just one person we found friendly – the sommelier, fantastic man. It’s really as if no one cares about their guests. Other notable exceptions: the girl that checked us in and the hotel director, both very friendly. Finishing the list of “cons”, we were a bit surprised there was construction going on near our suite (11) both on Saturday and Sunday. Not what we expected as a tranquil place to relax. To try to finish with a positive note, we liked the architecture and surroundings which, while tired here and there, still retain their charm. The suite was comfortable and the upgrade to a 2 bedroom was a nice touch. As were the gratuities like wine bottle, cookies, flowers, and honey. Breakfast was good, and so was the food at the restaurant. But in the end, none of this matters when your guests leave with bad memories and not wishing to return.