Mostly great, but here's the bad part first: This house is on a very public pier, and all of the pier around it, right up to the walls of the house, is public. There are no signs suggesting it's a private residence (because of ordinances that prohibit this); it looks like a bar or other tourist spot; and, as another reviewer noted, between 10 AM and 7 PM tourists will come right into the house if the doors are open and open them up if they are closed. In addition, the quality of the furnishings and kitchen are shabby... not terrible or unusable, but in need of updating. Finally, on the down side, both 2nd-floor bedrooms are open to the common area (not a problem for us), and the closures on the doors are very basic. The front doors would be very easy to pry open if a criminal wanted to get in. (Fortunately, there seems to be no crime in Seixal, but this would be an issue for someone who cares more about security than we -- two men -- do.) Now the good, which is extraordinary: The windows open directly onto the water, and the sound of the waves lapping on the shore right beneath your window is incredible, as is the fantastic -- not merely good, but fantastic -- view from the two upstairs windows. The house has a feeling of charming, rustic, historical authenticity that simply can't be beat, including the raw stone walls. It's on a wonderful beach that wasn't overly crowded in early June, and the pier attracts tourists from throughout Western Europe. So if you're socially minded and don't mind politely explaining that it's a private house over and over throughout the day, you'll have contact with lots of good people. Everyone we encountered during our two weeks there was understanding and polite. Best of all is Ernesto, the manager of the bar/cafe/restaurant across the small volcanic pool from the house (a 3-minute walk). If you patronize his establishment, tip generously and make a rapport with him, he'll take you out ocean fishing on his canoe, give you a canoe tour of the extraordinary secluded coves and cave nearby, make you extraordinary meals of fresh fish he caught that day and regale you with stories of growing up in Seixal that explain why -- despite all the hardship -- staying there makes him and the other residents so contented. The rugged, artful town is fantastic. I've recommended the Dock House to all our friends, and we look forward to returning some day. It's ideal for a certain kind of adventure traveler though not for someone looking for a relaxing private getaway.