Mitzy A
Google
Loved my stay at Casas de Pousadouro! I booked The Rocks, and was very happy with my selection. Three nights were perfect for a solo stay. I spent one day relaxing and the other working (mostly Zoom calls). I purchased groceries in Marco de Canaveses (although I saw the the mercado when I stopped in Baião, and it would have sufficed fine) and prepared my own dinners.||PROS|- Juliana, the manager / valet / front desk agent / concierge is a star! Prior to my stay, she replied to my emails quickly and thoroughly. During it, she helped with everything from providing walking advice to securing a wayward door to helping me back out of the driveway. |- Location, location, location. The property is located on the banks of a bay of the Douro, and the views of the bay, the river, the village across from it, and the occasional train are stunning.|- Close to train station.|- Unique design. The Rocks is carved into the rocks: they form some of the walls, and there are actually ferns growing out of it. The floor in the living room is glass panels, and you can see down to the rocks below. People on my Zooms were asking if I was calling in from a cave.|- Another wall consists entirely of floor-to-ceiling windows/doors that can be opened. There's plenty of fresh air and natural light.|- Sebastian the cat.|- Warm bread, cured ham, and fresh-squeezed orange juice are served every morning. Cheese and yogurt are pre-stocked in the refrigerator. They've pretty much thought of everything: there's also cookies, tea and coffee, crackers, jams, butter, milk (including lactose-free), sugar, butter, water, beer, sodas, bottles of Albarino, port, cookies...|- Nespresso machine, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, stove|- Blankets, books, exercise mat|- Strong WiFi.|- Kayaks, paddle boards|- Multiple places to lounge outside: chaise longues, bean bag chairs, hammocks, tables and chairs under umbrellas, etc.|- Strong, hot shower|- My bungalow was clean, quiet, and dark at night||CONS|- None! But you need to be comfortable driving on hilly, curvy, narrow roads (quite possibly in fog.) It's both exhilirating and nerve-wracking.