Apartments in Santa Maria E Sao Miguel

First, Sintra, Portugal isn't a great place to be if you don't like hill climbing to an extreme - unless you're going to bring a chauffeur along or use an electric bike or scooter. That said, Villas de Cintra is at the bottom of a STEEP hill with a road not open to public travel because it is barely wide enough for 1 vehicle. EVERY time you want to leave the property there is a steep hill to deal with. If you don't mind the hill, you will probably really like this place - and anywhere you stay in Sintra is on a hill or right by one. If not for the hill, I would have given a rating of 5 - and really 4.5 would be more accurate than 4. AND THE GOOD PART is that the staff are charming, helpful and would seem to go out of the way for anything you want within reason. Anyone should enjoy the warm welcome and friendly atmosphere here. One caveat: the office is open only 9 AM - 6 PM. Everything is squeaky clean - I like tile floors for that. It is attractively decorated and just gives off a good vibe. Up to date equipment all the way around is also a benefit. The kitchen is very compact, but has everything needed: microwave, stovetop, fridge, sink, pots, pans, dishes, silverware, towels. The little refrigerator/freezer unit isn't big, but is sufficient and cold and the separate top freezer is perfect. The heat & A/C unit is the best I've seen anywhere. Keeps the temperature right on the money and is easy to learn the control - not so different than many others, except this one works. Always plenty of HOT water and great water pressure. The patio and ”back yard” area is nicely lit after dark (until very late but not all night) without being overly bright. WiFi is good! There is a problem with no decent place to sit and work on your computer. The little desk doesn't have a nearby electrical outlet. The bar is quite nice, but the folding, metal barstools are AWFUL. The seat is too small by far - I'm not a big person (5'8 - 160#), but the sides of my legs hang over the defined edges of the seats and make sitting for any time painful. It is also necessary to use good shoes when sitting because the tiny bars as ”foot rests” are thin tubing that will just cripple sock or bare feet. It seems strange that after doing everything else so well they would get barstools like these... I did find a cushion that made the seat bearable. Overall, definitely recommended.