I had really high hopes for this place after reading so many positive reviews. However, I ended up leaving early because it was too uncomfortable.
There are quite a few things that need to be improved. The bedroom is very dark and has a strong musty smell, the bolt on the door is very rusty and difficult to move, and the bed frame is wobbly. The guest bathroom is freezing so needs a heater for winter, the toilet doesn't flush properly and the water pressure in the shower is very bad. I went back to my apartment in Lisbon a day early to use my own shower.
My first morning, there was a blackout and all the running water stopped working. There wasn't any communication from staff about this and it would have been nice if they had offered some bottled water so I could at least brush my teeth or wash my hands.
Maybe it's because I was here in winter, but the few people I met kept to themselves so I wouldn't call it friendly. As I was travelling solo, I was looking forward to meeting volunteers at the communal dinners advertised in the listing. It turns out that the communal dinners only happen a few days a week, not at weekends when I was staying, so I had to eat alone in the restaurant and spend more money. The restaurant is not on site but in a nearby village and I felt uncomfortable walking there alone at night. This should all be communicated in the listing.
Breakfast was ok the first day, but the second day the bread they served had mould growing on it and the biscuits had gone stale.
There are some positives: the surroundings are nice and peaceful, the animals are cute and the food in the restaurant is fresh and delicious. It's easy enough to get around Sintra from here even without a car. This could be a great Airbnb but it needs some more attention from the staff to make it comfortable.