Colina do Mar

This hotel is highly regarded for its prime location in the heart of the old town, offering easy access to attractions while maintaining a quiet atmosphere. Its signature feature, a rooftop pool, provides a peaceful retreat for guests. Many visitors praise the hotel's consistent cleanliness and the generally friendly staff who contribute to a positive stay. The hotel is often highlighted for its excellent value for money, making it an appealing choice for budget travelers and sightseers looking to explore the area. Couples particularly appreciate the convenient yet tranquil setting. While the hotel offers a great base, guests should be aware of the steep hill leading up to the property, which might be challenging for those with mobility issues. For a smoother arrival, especially with luggage, considering an Uber is a practical tip.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features a rooftop pool which is consistently described as a significant asset, offering a quiet and relaxing space for guests to unwind. While some note its small size, it is generally found to be adequate for cooling down and is rarely overcrowded, with sufficient sunbeds available. However, a few guests have observed that the pool area could benefit from better maintenance, citing issues like rusty railings and old furniture, and some instances of murky water or the pool not being heated. Inside the rooms, guests appreciate the reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, often described as good or excellent. The air conditioning is also frequently praised for being effective and new, though a few found it sometimes too powerful or positioned awkwardly. Practical amenities like a kettle and a fridge are provided in the rooms, along with a TV offering a good selection of English channels. An elevator is available for convenient access to all floors.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests frequently commend the hotel's commitment to cleanliness, noting that rooms are often described as spotless, well-kept, and cleaned daily with fresh towels provided. Despite this, the room condition receives mixed feedback; while some find them decent and spacious, many describe the decor as dated or old, suggesting a need for renovation. Specific concerns include instances of mold on ceilings, a persistent damp or musty smell, and condensation on windows. Some guests reported dangerous electrical wiring in bathrooms. Bed comfort varies significantly, with many finding the mattresses rock hard and uncomfortable, while others describe them as very comfy. Noise levels are a recurring theme; although the hotel's location is generally quiet, some rooms, particularly on lower floors or facing the street, experience street noise or disturbances from hallways and cleaning activities, indicating potential soundproofing issues. The showers are sometimes noted as tricky to use or having issues with water temperature or drainage.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast service garners varied opinions from guests. Many describe it as basic yet adequate, offering a convenient start to the day. The selection typically includes a variety of breads, fresh fruit, yogurt, and cereal. Some guests appreciate the inclusion of hot options such as sausages, scrambled eggs, or beans, alongside coffee and tea. However, a notable number of reviews indicate that the breakfast can be underwhelming, with limited choices and sometimes poor presentation or quality. Some guests observed that staff seemed more focused on packing up towards the end of service, leading to depleted options. Despite these criticisms, many acknowledge that the breakfast offers good value for its price, especially for those seeking a quick and simple meal before exploring the area.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently highlighted as one of its strongest attributes, placing guests within a few minutes' walk of the main square, beach, and numerous shops, restaurants, and bars in the old town. This proximity allows for easy exploration of the area's attractions. Despite being so close to the action, the hotel is often praised for being tucked away enough to offer a quiet retreat from the nightlife noise. However, a significant point of consideration for many guests is the steep hill leading up to the hotel. This incline is frequently mentioned as challenging, particularly for individuals with mobility issues or those pushing strollers, making the return journey to the hotel a strenuous effort. For guests arriving by car, free public parking is available on nearby streets, though spaces can be tight directly outside the hotel. Larger car parks are located at the top of the road, and using an Uber is recommended for ease of transport, especially with luggage, due to the cobblestone sidewalks.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff generally receives positive feedback for their friendliness, helpfulness, and welcoming demeanor. Many guests commend their attentive and courteous service, contributing to a pleasant stay. However, there are recurring and significant concerns regarding certain aspects of service, particularly involving some reception staff. Several guests reported highly negative interactions with specific individuals, describing them as rude, moody, or bad-tempered, and unwilling to assist with basic requests like providing a second key card. A serious issue raised by multiple guests involves staff, particularly receptionists, entering rooms without knocking or prior permission, even when guests were present, leading to significant privacy concerns and discomfort. While the check-in process is generally smooth, these incidents, especially related to privacy and the handling of check-out times, have left some guests feeling very dissatisfied and unwilling to return.