Monsanto GeoHotel Escola

What a wonderful little hotel on the top of a mountain. The woman at reception was lovely, attentive and accommodating. The hotel areas and the rooms are spotless.

We were visiting Monsanto when we noticed we were not going to have time to go back to where we were staying so we decided to stay one night in Monsanto. We went to booking.com and looked for a hotel which brought us to this hotel. The price was great and the reviews were ok so we booked. When we were visiting Monsanto we passed by the hotel not knowing it was the hotel we booked, it’s right in the heart of Monsanto, very convenient. Breakfast included and it was really good.

The room was mis-sold. It was described as having air conditioning, but the unit in our room only blew out uncomfortably hot air. At least 3 rooms of the 10 available had no air conditioning, it was broken, with no plans to fix, no plans to stop selling rooms with air conditioning, and no contrition or apology. I would say the air blowing out was heating the room to the mid to late 20s Celsius. We had to have the aircon off and the windows and shutters open, which overnight let in smoke from a neighbouring fire, enough to make us cough, and significant light from an adjacent street lamp. It was a bad night's sleep despite excellent beds. One member of staff was not particularly interested that the promised air conditioning did not work, after a rudimentary attempt to help resulting in the windows being flung open. She was perhaps more preoccupied with other matters as she was, without exception, always on the phone when we passed the desk whether in the afternoon or at night. I have doubts that this volume of calls can be business related for a small hotel with 10 rooms. What saves the hotel from a truly awful score is that the breakfast was excellent, with meat and vegan options, lovely juices and fresh fruit. The lad looking after the breakfast and the new lady on morning reception were also both lovely. The rooms were also a very good size.

Unfortunately, because of a problem with car rental, we could not visit Monsanto and sleep at GeoHotel Escola; in spite of that, they accepted to cancel our reservation without any fee. An example of kindness.

Was a little uncertain what we might find as not many choices here but GeoHotel was a delightful surprise (and a great bargain for the price!). Room was large with a lovely balcony (unexpected) with great view of sunset and town. Bed was not most comfortable but all functional and good. We did not try the breakfast but it looked like it had many offerings. Definitely recommend if staying in this lovely village!

We stayed while attending Boom and highly recommend! Wonderful staff, clean, large rooms, incredible breakfast (with stunning views), and you can have a key to get in through the lobby 24/7. 20 minute drive from the event, picturesque walkable town built on boulders, and a castle built in 1171! Monsanto Café & Bistro is a few steps away (highly recommend, tell Paulo we say hi =)!) and he is open more hours than other eateries. Beautiful experience all the way around, thank you GeoHotel!

Hotel on several levels up the steep hillside, not too far from the main parking area which is a bonus in Monsanto. Goods size irregular shape room with bright modern furnishings and good lighting, plus some nice touches with fruit and biscuits. The reception was genuinely welcoming and helpful.||The AC was a little bit laboured at keeping the room cool, and unfortunately we needed it as our room 2.1 though technically on the 2nd floor was at street level on the back, so you couldn’t have left windows open. It was very quiet at night.||Breakfast was a decent selection but let down by the coffee which was instant, no decaff available and tea made with water from a flask which was barely warm. ||

We only stayed here for a night, but we had a very spacious, air-conditioned room with a balcony that offered a fantastic view of a spectacular sunset. The breakfast was okay. All in all great value for money.