Hotel Quinta do Serrado (Porto Moniz, Portugal)

Guests love its stunning views from the hotel of the mountains and the sea. There is also a lovely beach close by. However, it is the quiet rural setting that is the most pleasurable aspect - particularly for hikers.

Most guests, with few exceptions, would agree that the staff are the hotel's main assets. They are extremely friendly and helpful, but also very competent and hard-working.

Guests who have eaten in the restaurant rave about the quality of the traditional dishes they have been served. Some count it amongst the best they have eaten in Portugal. Many would recommend that you try out some of the other fabulous addresses on the island as well. Often remote, they will frequently come and pick you up from the hotel and take you back afterwards!

Being isolated from it all is the appeal of this hotel for many. However, if you like having other amenities and things to do around you may be a bit lost. With just one shuttle running to town in the morning and one at night, many guests would recommend you had your own transport.

You may find the charismatic owner quite nice and approachable. By all accounts he is very chatty and regularly approaches guests. Some, however, would prefer he left them well alone! A lot wish he would leave his staff alone too. Many have witnessed him berating them in public, which they find out of order, especially as they are so nice and good at their jobs.

This is not the type of hotel where you would sit around the pool all day. The pool is on the small side for a start and often in the shade.