Book 2 Star Hotels in Prado

"Pousada Casa de Maria is very pretty in the photos. It is very floral. But it is like being in a Prison Camp. You get a feeling of oppression, and clostrophobia. Plus all their rules. It is a pretty Hotel. The food is good. But the constant intrusion of the staff and owner. One time we were eating our meal at the table, and the staff told us to lift our plates and glasses so she could wipe the table. A total intrusion. You are trying to relax by the pool, which is more ornamental than functional, and the owner is carrying out constant maintenance, all day. Fussing around the plants and grass that your sun bed rest on. A normal hotel would have a sprinkler system. The owner has a sprayer bottle, (maybe 5 litres) tied to a two wheel shopping trolley, that she makes an over performance of pushing around the garden. This is her all day, daily ritual. All the staff carry out their jobs in a very slow way. No quick efficiency. Some of the reception staff, are not customer friendly. You can always escape to the beach and just use the hotel as somewhere to sleep. All in all. My opinion of this hotel is it is best avoided. Unless you like being treated like you are an inconvenience. "