Gerez Hotels

Estalagem de São Bento: Amazing location

I booked an extended weekend in Estalagem de S. Bento da Porta Aberta. This lodging is situated by a sanctuary - S. Bento da Porta Aberta - amidst the green scenery far from everything. We were longing to relax and enjoy the peaceful landscape of the refreshing lush vegetation that surrounded us. Prices seamed very reasonable as we were travelling in peak season - mid August - when everything else seemed to be expensive or complete. Photos on their website looked good, so we decided to book and give it a try.

Longing to take the most out of this trip, we drove north after work. It is more than 350km from where we live, so we arrived late night. We were very surprised to find out that there was a huge kind of fair happening right in front of the Inn's door!! We had trouble finding any space to park the car and headed to the lodging to ask what was going on. They told us it was the annual celebration of the sanctuary, so they had fireworks, bands playing folk music, and so on. We said we were looking for a relaxing place to stay and that was not the case. They apologised as they should've mentioned the celebrations when we booked by phone. We asked to see our room, but it would have been impossible to sleep, as you could hear the folk concert which was playing on a stage situated right across our room's window!

The Inn's staff was most helpfull. Eventhough it was late night they phoned other hotels in the area so that they would help find an alternative to sleep that night. Eventually everything was solved as they found us an hotel for 2 nights (we were planning to stay 3 nights).

I can't account for the quality of the hotel, as I've never slept there, but I must say that staff was most helpfull in our case. Sure, they sould've mentioned the celebrations when we booked by phone but in the end it all ended well.

Superb location.