Praia Mar

Freundliche Gastgeberin. Viel Platz in der Wohnung.

Relativ laut weil direkt an der Straße. Die Verständigung auf englisch war schwierig.

Het balkonnetje was wel aardig

Alles. Na boeking stuurde de host een bericht dat zij in het appartement woonde. Of we dat nu over het hoofd hadden gezien of dat het nog niet in de omschrijving stond, weten we niet meer. Omdat er iets mis was gegaan bij booking bij een andere boeking op Sao Miguel en we daardoor vrij last minute iets anders zochten en er weinig beschikbaar was, gingen we akkoord. De kamer ligt weliswaar dichtbij het strand en het centrum maar kijkt op een deprimerende parkeerplaats uit. De kamer is basic, maar vrij onpersoonlijk. In de kasten lagen nog inlegkruisjes en da hangers waren rommelig. De badkamer deel je dus met de host. Die is groot en vochtig en met een douche in een bad. Helaas geen stop voor het bad, dus lekker badderen zit er niet in. De keuken mag je gebruiken, er staat zo nu en dan nog wel een vieze pan op het fornuis. Op zich is de host meestal weg, maar ze was ook een dag ziek thuis en hield wat te weinig afstand. De overnachtingen waren ontzettend duur, meer dan €100 per nacht, zonder ontbijt, zonder toeristische informatie, geen enkel extraatje op de kamer (zoals een flesje water of wat te snacken). Na een paar dagen bleek onze andere boeking toch doorgekomen, dus toen de host van die b&b belde waar we bleven, wisten we niet hoe snel we moesten verkassen. Daar was het ontbijt inclusief, kregen we extra handdoeken voor de thermale baden of het strand, werd er korting geregeld voor walvistochten en waren de hosts duidelijk en behulpzaam.

Cecília was a very sweet host. She was very kind in everything. When I burned my back, she even lent me panthenol! The apartment was in a nice location with parking right in front of the house. Shop one minute from the apartment. 10 minutes walk to the beach. I would come again!

It was clean. There were no towels at first. We had to ask for them.

We were surprised that we had to live with the host. We were not happy. She texted us after our booking, to tell us that there would be someone else that we had to share the apartment with. It was the host herself. Our booking said: you have the whole apartment for yourself. We have multiple screenshots of it and we tried to tell booking.com. They did not help us, so we were stuck with our host. Our privacy was gone.

We had a great stay in this apartment! The house was very clean and well-maintained, and its location was perfect for exploring the area. There is also public parking nearby, which was very convenient. The host was extremely friendly and welcoming, always ready to assist if needed.

However, we were surprised to discover that the host lives in the house. This wasn’t clearly stated on the Booking page, and it caused some confusion since the FAQ section denies it. As a result, the bathroom was not private, and the kitchen was shared with the host. The host works during the week, so we didn’t see each other that much, but it would have been helpful to have clearer information about this before booking.

Nuestra estancia fue muy agradable y el trato de Cecilia fue impecable. Nos sentimos muy a gusto desde el primer momento. La localización es muy buena porque queda a mitad de recorrido de cualquiera de los puntos extremos de la isla, lo que facilita la visita del lugar. Repetiríamos sin duda.

Great location, close to the central square, restaurants, supermarket, the beach and a bakery. Free parking in front, on the right side of the parking lot (the left side is paid, weird, I know.) Ribeira grande is ideal as a hub to explore the island!

Just to be very clear; this is a shared apartment. There is only one bedroom that you can use, the other one is taken by the tenant of the apartment. Before we arrived we got a message that she would be in the apartment but that she leaves early and goes to bed early. We thought it wouldn't be a problem, but we were wrong. It has negatively impacted our stay in multiple ways: with her leaving early and the apartment being noisy, this meant that we were woken up by running shower, flushing toilet, and closing doors every morning around 6.30/7AM. With her going to bed early every night, we felt like we had to be really silent when we got home every evening, to not wake her up. So no shower after a long day out. Additionally, she left her dishes out in the kitchen and a dirty stove top after cooking. All of this detracted from our holiday experience, and instead changed it into living with a roommate that you don't know well. With whom you can only communicate through Google Translate. After 3 days we asked for new towels (high humidity keeps them damp, not a great smell after a while), but she texted back that she was not obliged by Booking to give us new towels. When we got back to the apartment that day (she had not responded over text anymore to our explanation of why we would appreciate new towels), my partner asked her again, in person. Even if Booking doesn't required it, we thought it would be just general good hosting to provide them when requested. This has never in 15 years caused me any trouble worldwide... Again she firmly stated that she doesn't need to provide new towels and that only guests who stay for a long time (apparently longer than a week?) get new towels. At some point she raised her voice, dashed out of the apartment and slammed the door behind her. After that, no apologies, no clarification of the situation and she did not respond to any messages for the rest of the week.

Best and friendly contact to the host.

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