Dear Helene
Thank you for your review - we would like to clarify that we were in contact with you on 08 January with a detailed report of your stay. Unfortunately during your stay Portugal experienced unprecedented bad weather which is beyond anyone's control. The villa is not luxurious however at this price point for your stay €47 per person per night is excellent value. We did notice your first review was not inline with vrbo's guidelines and feel some of your comments were disingenuous .
Please see below the reply we have already sent to you.
Dear Helene
Thank you for taking the time to set out your concerns in detail. We have now reviewed your complaint thoroughly and have also discussed each point in detail with Arvid, the local villa manager, who attended the property during and immediately after your stay. We would like to address the key matters raised and clarify our position.
Regarding the location, the villa is situated near a minor local railway line and a road, both of which are clearly visible on maps and satellite imagery available prior to booking. The railway is lightly used, with very infrequent trains, and historically has not generated complaints from guests. That said, we appreciate that sensitivity to noise can vary from guest to guest.
Regarding temperature and comfort, the property is equipped with air-conditioning units in all bedrooms, which also function as heaters. When the villa was inspected after your departure, the internal temperature was notably warm. One unit was reported as not functioning correctly, and the villa manager promptly brought an additional heater for your use. Bedding provided is in line with local winter standards in Portugal, where properties rely primarily on heating rather than heavy duvets; nevertheless, we understand that personal expectations may differ.
Concerning maintenance and plumbing, the period of your stay coincided with exceptionally severe weather, including heavy rainfall and strong winds, which affected a large part of Portugal. Some of the water ingress you experienced appears to have been directly linked to these unusual conditions. A leak under the kitchen sink was not previously known and will be rectified. One toilet blockage was reported; due to the national holiday period, it was unfortunately not possible to arrange an immediate repair, although multiple other bathrooms remained fully operational.
On the matter of the fireplace, firewood is not advertised as being provided and is standardly purchased by guests locally. The villa manager did supply firewood during your stay and provided guidance on its use. Cleaning of the fireplace glass by guests, while appreciated, was not requested or required.
In terms of safety and security, the area in which the villa is located is considered very safe, with no history of incidents. The main garden and carport gates are not lockable, as described in the property layout, and one studio door was found to be functioning correctly when inspected after departure. We nonetheless acknowledge your concerns and will review all locking mechanisms as part of ongoing maintenance.
Regarding the kitchen equipment and amenities, the capsule coffee machine was replaced during your stay with a larger, more suitable machine, and the villa manager also brought an additional heater at the same time. Other items mentioned, including table tennis rackets and cookware, will be checked and replaced where necessary. These points, while noted, are considered minor issues rather than factors rendering the property unusable.
In conclusion, VillaMore must respectfully disagree that the circumstances justify a refund of 50% of the rental cost. The villa is a charming nine-bedroom property offering excellent value for money for large groups, and it is not marketed as a luxury villa. It has hosted many happy guests and benefits from consistently strong reviews. We believe that the exceptionally poor weather during your stay unfortunately had a significant impact on your overall experience.
Finally, we would like to clarify that no security deposit was taken from you in relation to this booking, and therefore there is no deposit to refund.
We trust this clarifies our position and hope you will accept our sincere regret that the stay did not meet your expectations. VillaMore always aims to act fairly, transparently, and in good faith, and we thank you for bringing these matters to our attention.
Yours sincerely,
VillaMore