Restaurant
A Taberna
A Taberna is a restaurant serving local dishes in a casual setting.
2.0 km from hotel
À Espera - Turismo Rural,Melides
Rated 9.2 in 293 reviews. Farm stay.
Review analysis updated
This property is well-suited for Calmcations, particularly for those seeking a tranquil farm-stay experience with excellent hospitality and a focus on relaxation, within easy reach of local villages and beaches.
À Espera offers a serene and peaceful escape in a rural setting near Melides. Guests consistently praise its quiet atmosphere, comfortable accommodations, and the warm, friendly service provided by the staff. The property's natural surroundings and inviting pool contribute to a relaxing experience, making it an ideal spot for unwinding.
On the map
Recommended Nearby
A guide to great places near À Espera - Turismo Rural,Melides
Village
Fontainhas
A small, quiet village with a population of 45, dating back to 2021.
1.2 km from hotel
What this place is
Twelve dimensions of rest, read from 293 reviews.
Slow pace
Where time stands still
9.0exceptional
The property consistently receives praise for its quiet, peaceful, and relaxing atmosphere, with guests highlighting the calmness and restorative qualities.
“Quiet and peaceful. Great breakfast.”
“Definitely a place to go to relax!”
“We loved the calmness and relaxation that the property exudes and the friendliness and kindness of the staff. Room facilities are great, really comfy bed and sooo quiet.”
Private outdoor space
Terrace, balcony, or garden per room
5.0mixed
One review mentions a back patio being affected by sprinklers, implying the presence of private outdoor spaces, though not in a positive light.
“The sprinklers went right onto the back patio. This made it very slippery and anything on that back patio got wet.”
Water access
Sea, lake, dock, or pool view
8.0very strong
The hotel features a well-regarded pool, described as beautiful, great for swimming, and a salty water pool, contributing positively to the calmcation experience.
“Beautiful property with bright, clean rooms, a big bathroom and beautiful pool and lounge area.”
“Breakfast was lovely and the pool is great for an early morning swim.”
“Great salty water pool. Great breakfast with a lot of homemade great things like greek yougurt, jam, daily cake, juice, scrambled eggs at the moment… served in a very cosy room”
Village within reach
Walkable small town or harbour
7.0strong
While the hotel is described as 'off by itself' and requiring a car, it is also noted to be a few minutes' drive to local restaurants and close to Melides, suggesting reasonable access to a village.
“Location is great and only a few minutes drive to the beach and local restaurants.”
“Close to everything in Melides and 25 minutes from Comporta”
“It is very much off by itself and you definitely need a car to get anywhere, including to restaurants.”
Quiet
Ambient noise level
8.0very strong
The hotel is consistently praised for its quiet and peaceful environment, with guests specifically mentioning the quietness of the rooms and the setting off the road.
“Quiet and peaceful. Great breakfast.”
“Room facilities are great, really comfy bed and sooo quiet.”
“It was a quiet and lovely setting off the road. It felt safe and secure, Maria greeted us and was so warm and friendly. The breakfast was lovely.”
Privacy
Walls, separation, solitude
7.0strong
The small size of the property and limited number of rooms contribute to a sense of privacy, making it suitable for a romantic getaway.
“Being a small property, and just a few rooms, is the best place for a couple to enjoy a few days.”
“Beautiful, clean and serene place for a romantic getaway.”
Nature immersion
Surroundings and outdoor stillness
8.0very strong
The hotel is situated in natural surroundings, offering farm walks, starry skies, and proximity to unspoilt landscapes and beaches, indicating a strong connection to nature.
“Natural surrounding, setup”
“We did the short farm walk at night with our torches, the sky was full of stars and then we did some running sprints in the morning around the same walk which was exhausting but fun! We also had great beach recommendations from the staff. Such stunning unspoilt landscapes. They are very beautiful and peaceful with good facilities on them, cafe, sun loungers etc. The beaches are also in close proximity with a car.”
“Surrounded by countryside”
Bed comfort
Mattress, pillows, sleep quality
8.0very strong
Guests frequently commend the comfort of the beds, sheets, and pillows, describing them as 'really comfy' and 'extremely comfortable'.
“Room facilities are great, really comfy bed and sooo quiet.”
“The rooms were spotless and everything was extremely comfortable, esp the beds, sheets and pillows. It was divine!”
“very comfortable beds. nice pool area.”
Service warmth
Family-run, personal care
9.0exceptional
The staff, particularly Eva, receives consistent praise for being warm, friendly, helpful, and accommodating, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience.
“Hostess was very friendly and helpful. Excellent breakfast with eggs made to order, bread, meat, cheese, juices. Definitely a place to go to relax!”
“Eva was a wonderful host, warm and friendly sharing local gems to visit. Very accommodating to our needs.”
“We loved the calmness and relaxation that the property exudes and the friendliness and kindness of the staff.”
Food on site
Simple, good, unhurried
9.0exceptional
The breakfast is consistently highlighted as excellent, featuring made-to-order eggs, local products, and regional bread, served in a cosy setting.
“Great breakfast.”
“Excellent breakfast with eggs made to order, bread, meat, cheese, juices. Definitely a place to go to relax!”
“Breakfast was really good with local products and the irresistible bread from Alentejo.”
Best rooms to request
Specific rooms or orientations praised
5.0mixed
One review mentions that guest rooms can be small, though bathrooms are spacious. There is insufficient information to provide specific room advice.
“The guest rooms were small, but the bathroom was spacious with a large countertop.”
Things to know
Warnings and unexpected charges
0.0problematic
While not a hidden fee, one guest experienced an unexpected and unpleasant interaction regarding early arrival, which could be perceived as a lack of transparency or hospitality regarding hotel policies.
“We arrived early because I needed to make a work online call/meeting, so I texted the day before asking if there was a quite place I could take the call from while waiting for the check-in time. The reply was affirmative. When I arrived, I was offered a seat at the breakfast location, but the seemingly owner started arguing with the receptionist/caretaker in front of me on why allowing guests so early on (it was 11:30AM). This was distasteful and could be easily prevented. If they didn't want to allow me in for my work call, they should have let me know in advance, instead of arguing in front of a guest in a distasteful manner. A detail in an otherwise lovely stay.”
Why we chose this stay · Tier B
À Espera fits well within the Calmcations ethos, offering a strong sense of peace, excellent service, and good food in a natural setting with water access. It is not quite Tier A as it lacks a private outdoor space per room and is not a converted historic building, but it strongly embodies the slow, unhurried atmosphere.
Before you book
Practical guidance from À Espera - Turismo Rural,Melides reviews.
Which room category to choose, what to mention in special requests, and what to verify at check-in — extracted from real guest reviews.
Bathroom
Size, fixtures, common issues
Guests consistently praise the bathrooms for being spacious, clean, and well-appointed, often featuring large countertops.
What to expect / request
- Expect spacious and clean bathrooms
- Bathrooms often include a large countertop
Breakfast
Type, timing, what to expect
The breakfast receives consistent high praise for its quality and variety, often featuring made-to-order eggs, fresh juices, and homemade items like yogurt, jam, and cake.
Practical notes
- Expect a wide variety of breakfast items, including made-to-order eggs
- Look forward to fresh juices and homemade products like yogurt and jam
Check-in
Friction at arrival, deposits, late arrivals
While staff communication can be flexible for specific requests like breakfast times, there's a reported instance of an uncomfortable situation regarding early check-in, suggesting potential inconsistency or miscommunication around early arrivals.
Practical notes
- Confirm early check-in requests explicitly and in detail beforehand to avoid issues.
Read full breakdown
In guests' own words
Verified Booking.com reviews, unedited.
“Quiet and peaceful. Great breakfast.”
“Beautiful property with bright, clean rooms, a big bathroom and beautiful pool and lounge area. Hostess was very friendly and helpful. Excellent breakfast with eggs made to order, bread, meat, cheese, juices. Definitely a place to go to relax!”
“Eva was a wonderful host, warm and friendly sharing local gems to visit. Very accommodating to our needs.”
“We loved the calmness and relaxation that the property exudes and the friendliness and kindness of the staff. Room facilities are great, really comfy bed and sooo quiet. Breakfast was lovely and the pool is great for an early morning swim. We did the short farm walk at night with our torches, the sky was full of stars and then we did some running sprints in the morning around the same walk which was exhausting but fun! We also had great beach recommendations from the staff. Such stunning unspoilt landscapes. They are very beautiful and peaceful with good facilities on them, cafe, sun loungers etc. The beaches are also in close proximity with a car.”
Book this stay
À Espera - Turismo Rural,Melides
Melides, Portugal
Booking: 9.2 / 10 · 293 reviews
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