Grand House - Relais & Chateaux

Really beautiful hotel, in a calm village (not very touristic) with great facilities - the beach club is wonderful and the beach just fabulous!! Excellent breakfast and great restaurant- with very nice staff. The transfer between the hotel e and the beach or club was flawless, with Ricardo and colleagues.

The reception wasn’t very efficient and didn’t propose a lot of things to do, unless we specifically asked for things- that way we found out too late (even only the last day) about some interesting trips we might have considered… Also their recommendations for restaurants could be better or at least expanded.

The Grand House is grand, wonderfully oldfashoned with modern touches. It feels like staying in a museum - perfect for a little time travelling. The breakfast à la carte / à discrétion, served in a beautiful room is fantastic. Normally I don't do breakfast but I just couldn't resist. My favourite asset was the beach club some minutes away by car: beautifully located and very stylish with great food a small but spectacular pool and a small sandy beach. The bed was extremely comfortable - where on earth do they get these matrasses from?

We booked a family suite, which in my eyes typologically wasn't really a suite (I would more expect some ensuite / open plan floorplan) but more a two room apartment. One room, the living room (?) that served us as a bedroom for our daughter was rather dark, not really a room where I wanted to spend a lot of time. The website doesn't provide the precise information of what to expect and looking back I don't see the point of paying 80 euros extra for an extra bed in a family suite, as there is a sofa that could easily be a bed sofa. Anyway it was properly announcend in advance. For easter they had a set menu at the beach club. That was a rather dissapointing and not as good as the usual menu. The prices scratch the upper limit.

The Grand is in the centre of Villa Real and the main square is directly behind it. We stayed for 3 nights and visited Ayemonte for one of the days. The Ferry runs every 1/2hr but this may change as we enter into October. The weather wasn't great but we did get sunshine every day. We visited the Beach Club for 2 afternoons. Very nice but a little on the small side. The Roof Terrace could do with a bit of a revamp. All rooms are very individual and the decor has very much of a colonial feel. A lovely hotel if you fancy seeing the East of The Algarve not sure if a complete 5 star experience but well worth a visit.

No coffee/tea making facilities in the room. However if you ask they will supply.

The hotel is a beautiful 1920s restoration overlooking the marina. The food is very good and is served on a rotating menu every 3 days or so. Breakfast was so good overlooking the boats and the view of Spain across the river. The beach club is a beautiful spot to relax in and the hotel has bikes that you can take out to explore. The main asset though is the staff, what a lovely welcoming environment, thank you all so much.

It is an expensive hotel but I guess that's relative to your experience. Some of the reviews about very small rooms were not relevant in our experience.

The hotel is in a historic building in an exceptional position overlooking the marina, and has been refurbished (in 2019) with great elegance and style. It feels small and intimate – there's nothing corporate about it – and the staff are friendly and helpful. Special shout-out to Luciana and Dulce. The hotel's beach club 5 minutes down the road is a great asset - a change of scenery and also a slightly younger, cooler vibe – where you can sunbathe, swim and have lunch. It's an almost perfect package.

For us, the dinner was just a bit too haute cuisine (though still good) and service a bit ponderous (though still attentive), but that just reflects our preference for something the informal and snappy. Still a damn good evening, with excellent cocktails in the neighbouring bar beforehand.

Great sunny classy rooms well decorated. Nice views. Spectacular cuisine well worth the Michelin one star to come. Really worth the detour and stay. Nice beach club with equally exceptionally good and fresh food. Fabulous breakfasts to order and enjoy in Nice River setting

No olives or nuts for aperitif available. This is unacceptable. Wine list has to be worked over. Brilliantly explained but does not match the superb quality of the food and is way too expensive for Portugal . Some reservation of tables issues pointing to lack of coordination

Great location facing the river and the moorings. Splendid interior design reminiscent the old times of the legendary Guadiana Hotel. The staff was very professional and helpful from the first day -not only bedsheet and towels, also bathrobes changed daily. Quality breakfast and dinner, including night cocktails prepared by superb bartender. A fine way to enjoy the other Algarve far from the beaten track.

Interesting beach club with a cozy little pool facing the river mouth where you can enjoy a nice atmosphere, good music and quality lunch and refreshments. It is only that you need to be brought and taken by the hotel shuttle since it is 1 km away from the hotel building. But the really caring staff and the splendid views make you feel great once you come in. The beautiful bathroom perhaps lack a better lighting.

The Grand House is a truly amazing Relain & Chateau Hotel. Situated in a beautiful seaside town with easy access to a variety of restaurants and short journeys to near by towns. Spain is just across the river by local ferry and can be driven via a road bridge. The staff at Grand house ,including the amazing beach club were truly friendly and extremely professional. Would happily visit again !

No issues with anything related to all the Grand properties.

This R&C property is a gorgeous historic hotel to enjoy for 2-3 nights. It's right in the middle of town but was quiet during our December stay. Breakfast each morning was relaxed and varied and all the staff worked hard to be friendly and helpful. It's worth noting that there are two common rooms where you can sit and read a book or if you wish, hang out in the chill bar. The tasting menu dinner in the restaurant was excellent and service was very good despite being the only people dining that evening. The room we had on the 3rd floor was nicely decorated and very comfortable. One day we also drove over to the scenic beach club to have a light lunch though it was too cold for swimming.

The hotel is considered 5-star but I am not sure what makes it 5 versus 4. The nightly room rate as well as dinner was quite expensive though certainly worth it for a special occasion. Parking reserved for hotel guests is limited to just a few cars in front which is unfortunate though less of an issue in the off-season. Twice I emailed staff (one via Booking.com and once via personal email) and did not receive a response which was surprising. We searched by car and on foot for flamingos at the nearby nature reserve but sadly did not see any.

* Great location - brilliant views, eateries, shopping * Beach club * Staff - very friendly and helpful eg rides locally, kettle & espresso machine * Food - breakfasts especially were excellent * Room was delightful

* Keeping our room fragrance free was hard - maids kept using some cleaners not just water * Limited choice for dinner, wine very pricy (and should have been offered wine list)