Casas Novas Countryside Hotel Spa & Events

The hotel is expensive and it doesn't feel like a 4-star hotel. Probably the only thing that gives it an extra star is because it has a spa. The spa is not bad, but it's also not good. It's very average. Only one of the jacuzzis was working and the other was turned off, which made people have to wait for a while before it could be used. The hotel restaurant is a bit pricey for the area where it is located. The octopus dish was extremely dry and I don't recommend it. The vegetarian dishes were quite good! However, it's better to find other traditional restaurants in the area where you will eat well and for much less money. The rooms were spacious, but they could be improved. There was no minibar in the room. The twin beds felt old. They were small and the mattresses were extremely hard. I don't think the phone in the room was ever cleaned! Something that is used by every guest on a daily basis and it was disgusting! The room had a nice large balcony with a relaxing view. The hotel staff was very nice and helpful. However, the hotel is very understaffed! You'll find the same person taking several positions at the same time. So, if you find the reception empty, it's because that person is either being a waiter at the restaurant or helping out at the bar or taking laundry away or cleaning the floor somewhere because someone spilled something. It's insane! I've never been in a hotel like this before... The spa desk never has anyone, so if you want to book treatments, you won't find a soul. If you are at the swimming pool, the bar by the pool is closed and you need to go upstairs to the restaurant. It urgently needs more workers! The bar officially provides light meals until 7 pm. However, at 3:15pm I was refused beef in the bread, because the person that was supposed to cook at the bar had left the hotel to go somewhere. The chef refused to cook because it was past 3pm. I'll try to avoid this hotel next time...