Verdelago Resort

Breakfast and Dining: The breakfast buffet offers a wide selection, including healthy and vegetarian options, and is highly rated by guests. While lunch and dinner services received mixed reviews, breakfast consistently met expectations.

The resort is only a couple of years old so relatively new. The grounds are well kept. Our checkin was fine, as expected from a 5-star resort, with refreshment provided and the manager going through all the amenities and activities during our stay. The bell person brought our luggage to our 3-bedroom unit next to the nature preserve where we will be for the next few days to start our Portugal vacation. But the services at the resort dropped off after the checkin. There was no evening turn down service as indicated at checkin and somewhat the norm for a 5-star resort. We ran out of water and was only provided a minimum amount of coffee and laundry detergent. So we ordered for them and never came. We had to call like four times before it was brought to us 30 minutes later. The next day we went to the breakfast buffet which was fine. Nothing special with the food selection and the restaurant staff provided what was asked but not close to being attentive as other 5-stars we’ve been to. After breakfast we left the resort for the day on an excursion. When we came back to our townhouse in the evening, only the beds were made. All of our used towels were still there with no replacements, the living room and kitchen had not been cleaned (see pictures). After texting to the staff that night, a manager did come by and spoke to us the next morning. He did apologize and assured us the housing staff will be there to clean our unit. But that was the extent of it. The last morning we were at breakfast. As usual our party of two families with kids would stagger to breakfast in waves as whoever was ready would go to breakfast. So the restaurant staff had to take few separate drink orders. Then one of the lead came by and ask if everything was okay because his server had to take multiple drink orders. This incident really just highlight the lack of service quality we expect from a claimed “5-star resort”. Before the trip, we were deciding back and forth if we should stay with a local luxury resort like Verdelago or go with one for the international 5-star resorts we’re accustomed to. Given the service experienced, we should have stayed at the nearby W resort.

The hotel consists of apartments and it is surrounded by the most beautiful sand dunes, board walks and a beach club. The apartments are comfortable and clean, the breakfast is good (not more). That said, the drawback is that this is a modern style so called five star hotel with practically zero services, cheap furniture and cutlery that noone will take home as a souvenir. The bathroom has the cheapest tiles and wobbly fittings, no tiles in the kitchen corner at all, etc. Shall I continue? Forget the restaurant which looks like a canteen. My minestrone contained tinned peas, I believe. However, once you manage to set aside your dissappointment by the cheap stuff and lack of services, relax in the very natural (although cheap) furniture and enjoy the surroundings, you will absolutely love this hotel.