João Pombeiro
Google
We stayed at Azienda Agricola Mandranova for just one night, and unfortunately, the experience was far from what we expected.
Firstly, we called ahead to confirm if there was a restaurant, and we were told that a reservation had been made for us. However, when we arrived at 1:20 pm, we discovered that the “restaurant” was actually a buffet being set up for what turned out to be a cooking class for other guests. We were told to wait until 1:30 pm, only to then realize that the staff exclusively served the cooking class participants while we were left to fend for ourselves. It felt as though we were an afterthought, with no one attending to us while the other guests were personally served.
Secondly, the room we were given was located directly above the reception, with a tiny window up high, around 5 or 6 meters above ground level. It felt like a storage room rather than a retreat space, and we could hear every bit of noise from the reception area. The external ambiance was also disappointing — rather than a peaceful setting, the only sound was the constant hum of highway traffic.
Lastly, the overall atmosphere was far from welcoming. The property seems to double as the owners’ residence, which made it feel more like we were intruding in someone’s private home than staying in a professionally managed retreat. Unfortunately, the lack of hospitality and clarity left us with a rather uncomfortable impression, and we decided to leave early the next morning.
If you’re looking for a relaxing retreat, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. This is not the serene, welcoming environment it appears to be in the photos.