FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions

Note:  Often we will refer to the Refúgio of Quinta Nere Maitia as RQNM

Before Your Stay

Customers are expected to arrive between 4 and 7 PM. We will gladly provide you access to your bungalow earlier if possible, or later, depending on availability, for an additional charge.
Customers must checkout by 11AM. However, we can keep your luggage for free, if need be.

The Refúgio of Quinta Nere Maitia does whatever it can to keep its customers satisfied. Please inquire at the reception as to whether we may accommodate you. Depending on the duration and the level of occupation there could be a late check-out fee.

For normal non-discounted rates, you can cancel your reservation without penalty a minimum of 48 hours before the day of your arrival. If you fail to comply, you will be billed for the first night’s stay. Other conditions apply for groups and packages.

In addition, reservations made with a discount code, or as part of a promotion, are non-cancellable and non-refundable.

Breakfast is not included, it has a cost of 20 euros per person and per day. The farm-to-table breakfast is served daily, from 8:30AM to 10:30 AM.

To confirm the delivery time for your breakfast, please contact our reception up until 5pm of the previous day.

Each of our bungalows offer a workspace along with free access to Wi-Fi. Should you need to print documents at the reception or enjoy our free fax and scanning services, please coordinate with the receptionist ahead of time. The bedrooms of the bungalows include outlets equipped with USB and USBC ports.

We adore children—they're fantastic! However, as a working agricultural estate with our own Bio certified orange grove, the Refúgio of Quinta Nere Maitia caters exclusively to discerning adult travelers. Whether you're visiting for tourism, wellness activities like yoga, a business retreat, or simply a peaceful getaway, RQNM warmly welcomes adults seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.

While not exclusively for couples or romantic retreats, we also extend our hospitality to groups of friends, family members, parents in need of an adults-only break, as well as digital nomads, writers, artists, and creators looking for a serene environment to work, create, or simply unwind.

Our primary focus is to provide a sanctuary that offers easy access to various points of interest and entertainment, yet remains secluded enough for guests to reconnect with nature, themselves, and each other.

Our bungalows are equipped with a wide range of amenities to enhance your stay and ensure your comfort. Please refer to the descriptions provided for each bungalow to discover all that is included. In the event of any unforeseen circumstances requiring additional amenities, our Receptionist will gladly assist you with basic necessities.

There is no restaurant on the premises. However, within a short driving distance, you have access to a wide variety of restaurants. Please inquire at the reception for more information as to the recommendations, or if you would like help in making a reservation.

Pets are not allowed except for properly documented service animals, subject to restrictions .

Yes, we do have a bungalow designed for wheelchair accessibility, it is the Alentejo Bungalow. For more details, please consult our accommodations page.

The Refúgio has been set up to offer its premises for small retreats: business, team building, and well-being retreats, such as yoga, meditation or Pilates... It is an adult-only sanctuary with one goal: to offer a tranquil environment where one’s senses are gently stimulated, where you can rest, detox from technology, urban noise, and even perhaps inspire creative visions of your own! For those wanting to enquire about organizing a retreat, please click here to access the contact form.

The credit card information is used as a guarantee in case you do not show up or decide to cancel at the last minute. A no-show could result in additional fees equivalent to a night’s stay. Also, should any guest leave with items pertaining to the bungalow, ie: bath robes, any linen ware, books, tablets, etc., please be aware that the Refúgio will charge your card upon inspection of the bungalow following the customer’s departure.

Should you be interested in purchasing any of the items from the bungalow because they are simply irresistibly too endearing, do stop by the reception and we will be very happy to help you!

The RQNM takes its customers’ security very seriously. We invite you to fill in a form that we will send you by email (only for telephone bookings), in which you will provide information about the method of payment to be used.

For more information on how to reserve a room or Meraki Center for a conference and or meeting, please contact the Refúgio.

Only for group bookings please reach out via this form .

During Your Stay

High speed wireless internet is offered for free in every bungalow, in addition to a standard ethernet connection. Every house is connected directly using fiber optic. Additionally, WiFi is available in shared areas inside the Meraki Center, around the pool and along the pathways.

Several electrical outlets in each bungalow, including one on each side of the bed, also include a USB, and a USB-C connector allowing to connect virtually any device without the need for a charger or a converter.

No. Our hotel is a 100% non-smoking establishment.. We want to offer our customers a healthy environment. Failing to cooperate will result in a severe fine. In addition, possession and consumption of cannabis is prohibited on the entire site. Thank you for your cooperation.
The owners of RQNM have worked with locals to understand what are the regional plants and trees that would thrive and grow with a minimum water usage. In short, the essential Mediterranean trees you will find in the Refugio, are Fire Resistant Trees, they are known as Deciduous trees. These and other types of plants contain some or one of the following characteristics: high salt content, fleshy or watery leaves, thick insulating bark, and or dense crowns. To learn more about what has been planted on the Quinta ask at the reception for the booklet describing what has been planted in the Refúgio.

Our dedicated gardeners at Quinta Nere Maitia work tirelessly to cultivate our certified Bio Orange Grove, guaranteeing the highest quality oranges for our guests to savor. During our orange season, please contact the receptionist to inquire about visiting the grove for the opportunity to pick your own oranges. Alternatively, the owners will endeavor to provide these delicious fruits in the reception bungalow for your enjoyment.

For information on the availability of other fruits, vegetables and herbs from our garden, kindly speak with our reception staff. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Curiosities

The surrounding areas abound with diverse dining options, ranging from traditional Portuguese and regional dishes to international cuisines such as Italian, Japanese, Indian, and more, including a Michelin Star restaurant and other esteemed establishments.

All these culinary delights are just a short drive away. For personalized recommendations or assistance with reservations, please inquire at our reception desk. Our knowledgeable staff can suggest options tailored to your preferences and budget. Alternatively, you can refer to our Activities page for additional information. We're here to ensure your dining experiences are as enjoyable as your stay at Quinta Nere Maitia.

You can also consult our experiences page.

  • Rainwater recovery for irrigation use
  • Electricity production using solar panels
  • Use of energy efficient heat pumps for hot water
  • Energy management and monitoring to minimize consumption
  • Recycling
  • Products made in Portugal
  • Organic cultivation practices

Ecological or natural swimming pools take advantage of the properties of certain plants and microorganisms to filter their water. It is a good alternative to conventional swimming pools.

Compared to a traditional swimming pool, a natural swimming pool consists of two zones, and an optional third, the water passing from one basin to another by a pump:

  • Swimming area: the swimming pool is set in the middle
  • Planting area: basin of the same size as the bathing area (maximum depth 50 cm), which includes purifying plants (water hyacinth, rush…) which role is to clean water and prevent pathogenic organisms from reproducing thanks to their oxygen production.
  • Regeneration zone (optional): made up of oxygenating plants whose role will be to guarantee good water quality. The choice of plants will depend first of all on the climate and the compatibility of the plants with each other.

What are the Advantages:

  • Preserves the skin
  • Easy and low maintenance costs
  • Aesthetic
  • In harmony with its environment
  • Chemical-free
The solar panels act as a roof in providing shade in normal and intense weather conditions. It also protects the internal and external body of a car. The solar car park also serves as a grid, which is achieved by the photovoltaic solar panels which charges the 150Ah battery through solar power (sunlight).
RQNM’s owners are well aware that this is rather a “new concept” for Portuguese citizens, that is to build with wood and at that prefabricated…. Often they hear visitors surprised at the fact that we opted for“casas de papel” ("paper houses").

What many have yet t realise is that the construction industry's raw materialls, although varied, If you would like to find out more, you can do so by following these links: Engineering for change: An Ocean without Sand? Published by World Economic Forum.

In Europe, materials used for housing construction, such as iron, aluminum, copper, clay, sand, gravel, limestone, stone and some wood take up more than 30 to 50% of the total use of these same materials. As for concrete it represents 42% of the total weight of the materials, therefore needing an enormous amount of sand!

Concrete is composed of 2/3 sand. It takes 200 tons of sand to build a house.

Over the past 30 years, the demand for sand has increased by 360%. In other words, there is more sand being than the earth is able to produce.

And so, because the owners of RQNM are passionate in pursuing other ecological and “passive construction” with this in mind, they looked for a company locally that would support this mission.

Jular, whose head offices are in Azambuja and Lisbon, fulfils these goals “it absorbs carbon from the atmosphere, unlike others, which release it.” In fact, as far as sustainability practices is concerned, Jular’s wooden components hold PEFC (chain of custody) certification.

Transport and how to get here

Near the entrance to the Refúgio, we offer a parking area which can fit any type of vehicle.

Please note, there are no vehicles allowed in the Refúgio itself. Our staff will be more than happy to bring your luggage and our guests, should they choose, via the Refúgio’s electric cart.

RQNM is proud to offer an electric charging station managed by Iberdola.

Enquire at the reception desk for availability and fees.

We are located about 40 minutes North-East from the airport of Lisbon, 45 minutes away from the city of Lisbon, and 8km from Santarém, the capital of the Region of Ribatejo. More specifically, RQNM is located in the upper valley of Vale de Santarém, off the N3 (“N” is for the National roads of Portugal).

For detailed geo location, please click on this link. As we are located in the center of Portugal, we are ½ way to the north, about 2.5 hours from Porto and ½ way south to the Algarve, also about 3 hours to Portimão.
CAR RENTAL:

There are many available services, obviously, however, over the last 2 years we have highly recommended the concierge-like service by TBV Rentacar.

You set up the choice of car via WhatsApp, along with the time frame. TBV Rentacar, asks for a small deposit.

Upon your arrival, Susana will MEET you at the airport with keys to the car, an ATM machine, charge your card and off you go…no long lines, no paperwork etc.

Our guests and friends have treasured the service. or at any hotel in the Lisbon area! Susana Lopes (no relation to Simone Lopes)

TBVRENT®

  1. Nossa Sra. da Anunciação 1

2620-541 Póvoa de Santo Adrião

Phone - 912256819

Email:tbvrentacar@gmail.com

https://tbvrent.com/
Absolutely.

BY TRAIN:

Otherwise known as Comboios de Portugal or CP. It is a a state-owned company which operates passenger trains in Portugal and their tickets are incredibly reasonable.

In the village of Santarém there is a train station, called Vale de Santarém, and in Santarem the main train station is also only 10 km away from the Quinta.

Booking for train tickets is quite simple, click on this link and from wherever you are in Portugal, you need to look for.

CP now also offers a A Tourist Travelcard. This card gets you unlimited travel on the Lisbon urban trains (Sintra/Azambuja, Cascais and Sado lines), the Oporto urban trains (Aveiro, Braga, Guimarães and Marco lines) and the Algarve line regional trains and much more. For more information, open this link and for those wanting to join the CP traveler community for all that they offer, on Facebook, this is the link.

BY BUS:

There is a national network of express buses, with Rede Expressos offering a daily service to destinations across the country. Other key bus operators include Rodonorte, in the north of Portugal; Rodoviária do Tejo, in the Ribatejo, Rodoviária do Alentejoand in the Algarve, EVA and Frota Azul. You can book tickets online or buy them at bus stations and ticket, desks (often in cafés by the bus stop/station). Buying tickets in advance is a wise idea, but even in summer in tourist areas , the day before is usually fine.

Do you have any other questions?

Feel free to reach out to us!