Outdoor pool
Check availability

Reviews of Luxury secluded villa, splendid views, pool, play area, games, cinema, big group

Luxury secluded villa, splendid views, pool, play area, games, cinema, big group
Mesão Frio, Porto District

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 34 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Valerie d.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful, unique, enormous property
Our experience at Marcus’s house was perfect. The house is beautiful - a mix of old and new that has so much character. The pictures don’t do it justice, it is decorated tastefully in a classic manner but the important things are v new. The bathrooms are extremely clean and modern from a fixtures perspective. The water pressure and temp is wonderful. Also almost every bedroom has en suite bathrooms in addition to the common bathrooms so it feels almost like a hotel in that sense. The kitchen is large and equipped w everything if you want to make large group dinners as we did. The breakfast provided was simple but diverse enough to make everyone happy (incl 4 kids!) and v plentiful. There are so many common areas/rooms that I couldn’t find the gym the first morning even though I had been shown it the day before! The outdoor area and pool were also great (incl an outdoor bathroom), I only wish it had been warmer weather when we were visiting. Rosa the caretaker and Marcus the owner were both v responsive and prompt anytime we had questions about the house or area. The location was very convenient, definitely on the Porto side of Douro valley so depends what towns you want to visit, but we were able to have 4 days of nice day trips all in under 1hr drive each way (Lamego, Six Senses, DOC restaurant, Amarante, Régua). Our group of 2 large families and 4 adult friends had a wonderful stay here and would wholeheartedly recommend it for adults and families alike.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Apr 2024
Thank you for your review Valerie. I am so glad you were able to enjoy Casa do Monte and the Douro valley. I hope to host you again in the future! Marcus

10/10 Excellent

William W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Superb stay
Our stay at Casa do Monte was perfect from start to finish. Marcus was extremely responsive in the planning stages, helping us plan our trip with activities, transport and catering. His recommendations were all absolutely spot on and ensured we had an excellent experience in the Douro Valley. The house itself is beautiful, very large and spacious, extremely well-equipped, and exceptionally clean. If anything, the photos don't do it justice! We really can't recommend staying here enough.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Oct 2023
It was a pleasure to host you and your friends, William. All the best!

10/10 Excellent

Mark P., Pelican Waters, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness
A grand experience on the Douro
What a wonderful property! The experience of communicating with the owner was actually one of the enjoyable aspects of the stay. Marcus was a source of great advice and was always available to converse with. His suggestions turned what would have been a nice stay into an overall magnificent experience. We were a party of 14 old friends who have travelled extensively, all of us were impressed with the casa. The building is spacious, the facilities of a high standard and the surrounding delightful. Special mention must be made of Rosa, the housekeeper, who prepared a great breakfast every morning for us and despite a bit of a language barrier ( our Portuguese was dreadful ! :) ) she managed to look after us like family. We do not have a contrary thing to say about Casa Do Monte, it was more than we expected. We do apologise to the rest of the valley for our singing some nights ! ;) If you need a base to explore the Douro, get your friends together and contact Marcus. this place is where you need to stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Sept 2023
Thank you for the great review and endorsement Mark. It was really nice to host you! All the best. Marcus

10/10 Excellent

Shelagh B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique property
The property was stunning. We were an extended family getting together for the first time since the pandemic. The property had so many facilities to suit everyone. The cinema room was popular especially for the women’s World Cup. The gym and jacuzzi were also well used. The pool was great. And as there was a heatwave the week we were there the Air Con was much appreciated. The kitchen was well equipped to cook for a crowd. The breakfast was lovely. A holiday we will never forget. Thank you Marcus and Rosa, especially for organising the birthday cake. Nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommended.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept 2023
I am really pleased that you so enjoyed the week at Casa do Monte. It was great to host you! All the best. Marcus

10/10 Excellent

John D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stunning
The perfect house for large groups. It is very spacious. Rosa looked after us with a delicious breakfast every morning. Marcus was always available by Whatsapp for any queries/information on excursions and always responded immediately. The weather was very hot so we chose to stay at the property and enjoy the amenities it provided (great A/C too). Lovely mountain scenery. Thank you Marcus and Rosa for an unforgettable week!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Aug 2023
I am glad you enjoyed the stay at Casa do Monte, it was a pleasure to host you! All the best! Marcus

10/10 Excellent

David H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Memorable vacation
We enjoyed everything about this amazing property. Marcus was extremely approachable and very helpful leading up to our visit, and helped arrange a few excursions in the Douro Valley and also a splendid meal at the villa for our group of 10 guests. Rosa the housekeeper was a treasure and made our stay all the more pleasant. The villa was perfect for our group of friends, there is so much space for private time and also lots of opportunities to share time at the pool and common living areas. All in all a very memorable vacation and we hope to return one day to this beautiful region and villa.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Aug 2023
Thank you David, I am glad you enjoyed the stay at Casa do Monte. I hope to host you and your friends again! Marcus

10/10 Excellent

Harriet R.

Liked: Cleanliness
The perfect group holiday location!
Cannot recommend this place enough. The photos don’t do the property justice - it has everything you need for a group holiday, in an idyllic location. The hosts were attentive and helpful throughout the booking process and were contactable for any issues during our stay. Marcus went the extra mile to help us organise transport & a Portuguese BBQ which helped make our stay perfect. Would definitely recommend to any considering a stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Aug 2023
Thank you Harriet. We are glad you and your friends enjoyed Casa do Monte and all it has to offer!

10/10 Excellent

Emily W.

Liked: Cleanliness
April, 2023
We had an amazing stay at Casa Do Monte. The house was extremely clean and well-managed. We thought that it was even nicer in person than the pictures could show. Marcus was beyond helpful in organizing events for us, and even put up with us when we decided to move some things around last minute. The breakfast every morning was nice to look forward to, and the dinners that Marcus arranged for us at the house were fantastic. Highly recommend staying here if you have the chance.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Aug 2023
Thank you for the great review Emily. It was a pleasure to host you! Marcus

10/10 Excellent

Shafiq M., Kent, UK

Liked: Cleanliness
Magnificent Villa
A large group of family and friends (19) stayed at Casa do Monte in August 22 for a week and had the most wonderful time. The villa was exceptional in every way. The weather was extremely hot and the air conditioned rooms and pool were perfect. The host, Marcus, was extremely helpful and very responsive. He arranged a catered meal one evening that was incredible - even the kids got involved being shown by the chef the best way to cook a steak! The housekeeper Rosa was so helpful, preparing breakfast for us every morning. The villa had everything we could want and I cannot think of anything that could have been there that wasn't. We would absolutely recommend this property to anyone and we all hope to be back some day in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Aug 2022
It was a pleasure to host you and your party Shafiq! All the best. Marcus

10/10 Excellent

Edward C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Outstanding stay
The villa itself is great and much bigger than we were expecting. It was extremely flexible and suited out multigenerational group perfectly. The kids loved the cinema room and the pool table, especially. Communication with the team was simple from booking all the way through to the end of our stay, with any queries or questions dealt with extremely promptly. They gave some great recommendations for restaurants and vineyards to visit. They were always on hand to help which was great. The breakfast was really appreciated by everyone.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Aug 2022
It was a pleasure to host you and your family Edward! Marcus

10/10 Excellent

Ben S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous property with attentive staff
We were a group of 18, six couples and three children between the ages of two and a half and seven months old. The property owner and staff were wonderful, they answered all our questions before the trip, helped arrange activities and meals, and were communicative throughout the stay. The property is huge, very spacious and even as a large group we never felt on top of one another. Air-conditioning throughout the property is a huge plus. The playroom offered lots for the children and the provision of travel cots meant we could pack lighter. We will not hesitate to return, thank you for a lovely trip.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Aug 2022
I am very glad you enjoyed your time at Casa do Monte. It was great hosting you! Marcus

10/10 Excellent

Stephane A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our perfect wedding
My husband and I booked this properties during our engagement to host a small and intimate DIY wedding celebration. Since then, we have had the absolute pleasure of getting to know the host Marcus, who became our de facto wedding planner. He carefully and thoughtfully helped us to select flowers and a chef; he organized a wedding-day yoga class; lead a wine tasting of classic Douro wines for 29 attendees; liaised with vendors such as our photographer, helping us to order food for the days outside of the wedding; and, most importantly, made all of our guests feel at home. To say that he went above and beyond would be an understatement. Casa do Monte's staff are kind and excellent at their jobs, far exceeding our expectations. Each day we awoke to a clean house and lovely breakfast. The care that has been taken to maintain the property and gardens is really exceptional and greatly contributed to our stay. Marcus' attention to detail is reflected in everything that he does--our wedding truly came together seamlessly thanks to his contributions in the several months leading up to our stay, and throughout the three days that we were there. Our guests were bursting with compliments about Casa do Monte, and especially the exceptional host that was Marcus. I very much encourage you to stay at Casa do Monte--if your experience is even half as good as ours (though we know it will be exceptional) then you are in for a dream. Thank you to the whole team at Casa do Monte for making our stay one that we will never forget.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jun 2022
Thank you so much the review Justine and Stephane. It was a pleasure to host you and help create your perfect wedding celebration in Portugal. All the best!

10/10 Excellent

John B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Spectacular villa in the beautiful Douro Valley
The property and setting are beautiful. There are many opportunities for hiking starting right from the gate. The staff is friendly and attentive. Highly recommended!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Jan 2022
Thank you John. I am glad you enjoyed your time at Casa do Monte. All the best for 2022!

10/10 Excellent

Daniel V A., New York

Liked: Cleanliness
The best 4 days in the Douro Valley ever !
The property was better than advertised . Very warming comfortable house with fabulous amenities. Met by wonderful hosts at check in, Vania and Maria. They were very informative and excited to show us the house and all its wonderful attributes, whether it be the pool, game room , movie theater, gym or children playroom ( although we didn't need as it was an adult Vacation). It even has a small historic chapel on site. The 9 rooms were spacious and comfortable, with 5 of them having ensuite baths and the remains 4 bedrooms sharing 2 baths. The continental breakfast spread , prepared and served by Rosa, in the morning was expansive. With coffee, juice, cereal , various fruits and fruit salad, hams, cheeses, breads, various jams and butter and yogurt selection. All could be had either in main dining room or on their magnificent patio overlooking the valley. When we came back for the evenings, as we were a big group (15), Marcus and Carla organized a nice couple ( Paula and Ricardo) to come in to prepare dinner for us. Paula prepared in the kitchen and Ricardo provided the grilled entres outside. We dined both outside and inside and could not have had better meals and ambience. Another plus was Marcus provided wine and beer for purchase, so we didn't have to travel from the property to stock up. I will DEFINITELY stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kristen H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing kid-friendly property for large group
Beautiful and well appointed rooms, plenty of bathrooms, full size pool and paddling pool for kids, pool table and cinema with a Wii... So much to do on the property itself that you will be very comfortable and never bored.
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar 2020
Dear Kristen, Thank you for your comments. We’re glad that you enjoyed your holiday in Casa do Monte and will look forward to seeing you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

neil h.

Fabulous stay - excellent service
We were a British group of 21 (12 adults and 9 children between the ages of 11 months and 11 years old) who spent a week here over Easter 2019. The house was smashing - hugely spacious, clean, and full of amazing spaces for children and adults to hang out. The kids particularly enjoyed the piano, hot tub and the WiFi-powered rainbow lighting in the swimming pool. The daily breakfasts of croissants, jams, cereals as cold cuts were perfect and Rosa and Vania, the two local managers who were at our disposal at a moment’s notice, could no do enough for us. They dealt with every little niggle we had and served up an amazing traditional Portuguese dinner for all of us on our final night. Location-wise, the village is a bit remote but we were only 15mins from the Douro riverbank and local towns with shops, museums, wineries and other places of interest. Strongly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar 2020
Dear Neil, thank you for taking the time to do the review. We love to hear about our guests’ experience in Casa do Monte. We really appreciate it and hope to see you all again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Nichole D.

Amazing country retreat, with fantastic amenities and service
We booked for my 50th birthday with about 10 friends. The house is amazing, huge and has everything you could want. We could have happily spent the whole week there, but it also serves as a nice center for daytrips. Some of our group went into Porto, others went on a wine tasting tour in the Douro, others went on a day trip to Braga and Guimaraes. There are small grocery stores nearby and a few local restaurants. Carla, Tiago, Viana and Rosa did a fantastic job of seeing to our every need. From arranging a cab ride for someone from the Porto Airport, to suggesting local restaurants, organizing our wine tour, or just getting us more rolls at breakfast, the team is awesome and extremely responsive. Also, we could have fit another 10 people in the house. :) I highly recommend Casa Do Monte to any large group looking to spend some quality time together.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar 2020
Dear Nichole, thank you for your wonderful comments. We are really happy that you enjoyed your stay with us and we hope you had a memorable 50th birthday celebration.

10/10 Excellent

rupesh s.

Opulence of a villa in a village
Incredible hospitality, easy of the entire rental transaction and a property that amazed each day with new features / amenities made our 4 day stay memorable. Highly recommend for large groups who want a comfortable base to explore the Douro Valley. We enjoyed the pool each day as well as the patio outside for outdoor meals and games. There are too many amenities to list! Our group of 11 enjoyed the village setting and local breakfast each day. Our hosts gave us great advice for local sights and hikes. The only caution would be trying to get your vehicle into the back parking - super narrow. Front parking is much wider and on the main road. Marvellous stay. Can’t wait to be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Simran T.

Excellent house for a family vacation with young children, teenagers, adults and grandparents
Something to do for all ages. A beautiful eat in kitchen that can be the centerpiece of many a morning and evening.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar 2020
Dear Simran, Thank you for taking the time to make this positive review. Despite some rain, I hope you still managed to do a bit of sightseeing. I look forward to seeing you again.

10/10 Excellent

Leah G.

perfect!!!
we had an amazing vacation. The house is outstanding. next time we need to stay there longer Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar 2020
Dear Leah, Thank you for your positive comments and for choosing to stay at Casa do Monte. I’m happy that you enjoyed your stay and I’m looking forward to having you again as a guest in our house.

10/10 Excellent

William L.

What a place!!
Oh my, what can I say about this place! I was looking for a place big enough to host myself and bunch of friends for my 40th and I came across Casa Do Monte. The pictures and the reviews don’t shout loud enough about how fabulous this place really is!! – From the most amazing landscapes surrounding the house to the ample comfort and tranquility once you enter the compound! The house itself has everything you need – the funny thing was that our plan initially was to do some activities locally but we ended up staying at the house the whole time as it literally has all the amenities you need for a long weekend away. This place is HUGE – It has generously sized bedrooms and bathrooms, a number of living areas, a massive kitchen with tons of storage and equipment. Then there’s the cinema, Jacuzzi, game room and of course the pool as you step outside. The décor is very nice and the place has a lot of quaint features which I liked. A typical “day in the life” during our stay consisted of - Waking up to a yummy breakfast provided – which is included in the price - Then we would head to the pool for some sunbathing and cocktail sipping, with the good music flowing in the background - We would have a late lunch in the form of a BBQ done in the designated area outside and tons of food cooked in the massive kitchen, whilst the drinks keep on flowing and music is playing - In the evening we would hit the cinema room, we would get some karaoke on, then we would throw some music on and dance all night long – only to repeat the same pattern the following day. Some key highlights - The local food is sooo good; the supermarkets (especially Continente – which is like 20 mins drive) have the most amazing fish and meat counter – so fresh and so tasty. The local produce is also very good - The caretakers were very friendly and extremely responsive. The fact that they live next door helps but they really went that extra mile to ensure that we had the most amazing stay Highly recommend this place. Had we stayed a bit longer we would have taken advantage of some local attractions for sure, but we had a super time nonetheless.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar 2020
Dear William, I’m so glad you enjoyed your stay at Casa do Monte. Thank you to choose to celebrate your 40th birthday in our property and for your lovely comments. I’m so glad everything from the service, to the house surpassed your expectations. We look forward to see you again at Casa do Monte very soon!

10/10 Excellent

James P.

Incredible villa, excellent facilities, beautiful views and setting..
Mesao Frio is such a beautiful place. We were all very taken with everything, from the building, the setting, the surroundings, the facilities and the hospitality, i dont think we could have asked for anything more. it was a great way to celebrate my 40th birthday and certainly very memorable.. Only an hour away from Porto and a beautiful drive especially the last 20 minutes or so, stunning scenery. As it's a family home it's incredibly well equipped with lots of fridge space for food and drink, a dining room with plenty of room to comfortably sit 20 people. Things like the kids playroom, games room were all great hidden bonuses too. Amazing views across the valley from the pool. We were very sad to leave and would love to return one day..
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar 2020
Thank you for your very positive review - we are very happy you enjoyed your stay at the Casa do Monte, and hope to see you again soon!

10/10 Excellent

Eoin M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Une super propriété
L'accueil et la villa sont exceptionnels et les équipements étaient tous tel que le décrivait l'annonce. Une maison incroyable, à refaire !
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jun 2022
Nous sommes très heureux que vous ayez apprécié votre week-end à Casa do Monte. Nous serons heureux de vous accueillir à nouveau!

10/10 Excellent

Carlos Pedro F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Espetacular !!!
Mais que bom!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Jun 2021
Obrigado. Ainda bem que gostaram da estadia na Casa do Monte!

10/10 Excellent

FÁBIO A.

Liked: Cleanliness
FÁBIO AZEVEDO
Casa com excelentes instalações, de grande dimensão e muito bem equipada, enquadrada num espaço envolvente muito bonito, perfeito para usufruir com amigos e família. A Dna. Rosa durante todos os dias foi muito simpática e muito prestável.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Sept 2020
Muito obrigado pelos comentários Fábio. Ainda bem que gostaram da estadia na Casa do Monte! Thank you so much for your comments Fábio. I am glad you enjoyed your stay at Casa do Monte!

10/10 Excellent

Anne marie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Belle maison riche d’histoire
Très belle maison bien entretenue et accueillante. Idéale pour les grandes familles. Tout est prévu pour le confort de ses hôtes. Chaque matin un petit déjeuner complet et copieux. Peignoirs, serviettes et chaussons douillets dans chaque chambre, douche et shampooing dans chaque salle de bain ,serviettes de bain pour chacun à la piscine. Nous avons passé un superbe séjour malgré le temps très incertain. De la salle de billard et baby-foot à la salle home cinéma, de la piscine ,la terrasse, le barbecue et la piste de danse notre séjour fut bien rythmé . Reste le jacuzzi ou certains ont pu se détendre. Un très grand merci à Rosa et sa famille toujours aux petits soins pour nous. Merci à Maria pour sa grande disponibilité. Un bon souvenir également du petit café /mercado où les patrons ont été accueillants, et plein de gentillesse à notre égard. Nous recommanderont fortement cette destination autour de nous.
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar 2020
Nous sommes très heureux que vous ayez vraiment apprécié votre séjour à la Casa do Monte. Jusqu'à la prochaine fois!