Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Algarve family accommodation, Portugal, independent reviews
 Reviewed 15 Sep 2008 by Neale Jackson |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The beautiful views across the valley from the pool. The wonderful array of plants and flowers in the garden. The reassuring sense of safety where the children were concerned coupled with their freedom to roam! We all loved every single minute of it! Just wish we could've stayed longer. Lots to see and do around the area, great local restaurant nearby... undoubtedly our best holiday ever!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It's an absolute must to have transport as the property is about a fifteen minute drive from the local supermarkets.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We ate at local restaurants and shopped in the local area, thus putting something back into the local economy. I particularly liked the non-chlorinated swimming pool, especially as one of our children suffers from eczema. Naturally we did fly there, which is obviously not ideal, though in our defence it was our first flight in 10 years!
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Truly wonderful! There was such a natural feel about the place, the keyholders were open, helpful and friendly, (though never obtrusive) and the help and advice was always forthcoming prior to our stay as well. We've already begun to recommend this place to friends and family with a view to returning (in greater numbers) next year.
| Reviewed 21 Jul 2009 by Ella Jameson | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Lovely holiday - the houses and their very private gardens are beautiful, with all the space, style and generous amounts of practical kit (crockery etc) plus we loved the books and toys. Had great times by the pool, lazy lunches then trips to the beautiful beaches near Lagoa.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Enjoy yourselves! A car is a must.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, many thanks.
| Reviewed 14 Apr 2009 by Clementine Sandison | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Waking up in such a beautiful place and being able to wander out into the lovely garden. Taking walks and seeing all the beautiful spring wildflowers and hillsides covered in lavender. Sitting outside in the square and eating nata at a fantastic cafe called Pasteleria Rosa in Silves. Visiting the local fish and vegetable markets. And of course the fantastic cliff-backed beaches and swimming in the sea (which was cold in April but invigorating!) This was our first holiday abroad with our 8 month old baby and we had a wonderful relaxing time. Cot, highchair, and lots of other baby equipment was all provided which was a real bonus and one of the reasons we picked this place.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It is essential to have a car. We found it quite easy to get lost as road signs were not always the best, get a good map! It can get very cold at night at this time of year so make sure you pack plenty of warm clothes for the evening and for bed (we had to ask for extra blankets). Shop at the market in Silves for all your fresh produce (it was on every day from 9am-1pm). Go on a boat trip from Lagos to see the caves and grottos along the coastline - it may sound like a bit of a cheesy tourist thing to do but was actually fantastic and we discovered some really good hidden away beaches as a result.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We loved the non-chlorinated pool and solar panelling to heat the water. Most things could be recycled although there were no compost facilities as I believe some guests had not used them properly which was a shame. I still collected all my kitchen scraps and buried them near some bushes as i can't stand throwing organic waste away! We did most of our shopping in the local market in Silves although we still had to visit a supermarket to get a few things. It also felt positive to be giving business to local people in the countryside (eg. buying oranges and firewood from roadside stalls, supporting village cafes, markets etc.) as so much of the tourism seems focused around the coast. Clearly the biggest environmental impact of our trip though was flying to Faro and hiring a car. I don't think we could do without the car but we may investigate getting the train in future with a stop off in France. More info about how to do this would be useful.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, relaxing, perfect place for families with young children and a lovely time of year to go.
| Reviewed 17 Sep 2008 by Tim Mander | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The lovely setting of the Villa its grounds and pool a real "oasis" in a parched landscape.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for a fairly isolated setting down quite a rough track, we did have a fairly minor issue with a family of mice running freely around the kitchen area in the late evening! The location means that a car rental is an absolute requirement although with an improved road network throughout the Algarve virtually anywhere is accessible.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The owners encourage you to use the local restaurants, the nearest shops are however 6 miles away in Silves. You are also encouraged to recycle and all the cleaning products are eco friendly, whilst water is heated via solar panels. The pool is salt water rather than chemicals.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good the layout and facilties were particularly suited to our special needs child.
| Reviewed 17 Sep 2008 by John Tashiro | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our villa was spacious and well maintained, access to the on-site facilities (ie pool and trampoline) were very nice to have especially providing entertainment with our three year old daughter and the key holders (Hans and Claire) were extremely friendly and helpful. Also, the villa location was peaceful and once you became familiar with the landscape and roads, driving to the nearby town (Silves) as well as the wonderful beaches and/or mountains were very straighforward and all within a reasonable distance (around 20-30min average).
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
This villa is ideal if you are looking for a peaceful and nature oriented experience with access to simple amenities in a nearby town. Renting a car or having your own transport is necessary.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
To some extent with the solar power generated electricity, salt-water " natural chlorine" pool filtering system and recycling of rubbish. Bottled water was recommended for consumption so we were sensitive in using it even more wisely. Also, we ate a few times at "Natural Comvida", a local restaurant in the nearby town of Silves that promotes vegetarian food and was strongly recommended. The food was tasty, the service and people were extremely friendly, and the prices were great value that we were truly satisfied with our experience there.
With that said, we wanted to shop at the local markets for our vegetables, but we understood that their opening days and times were limited. Thus, it made it difficult for us to shop there as much as we wanted. In terms of composting, we learned that a recent fire caused by a rare accident with a tree falling on some electricity wires destroyed the nearby composting site as well as some amenities (ie adventure playground) which was unfortunate.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We were very satisfied with our holiday and would be happy to recommend the villa to others.
| Reviewed 6 Jul 2008 by Lynne Whitehead | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Arriving at a beautiful, clean, deserted beach then watching the surfers arrive for their lessons; fab piri-piri chicken at Monchique (a restaurant recommended in owners' manual); just general relaxing in the villa and its gorgeous surroundings that were all very baby-friendly so very stress-free!, eating all meals outdoors, popping out to the pool.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't try walking to the local restaurants unless you happy for a bit of a trek, esp. with buggy! Use mossie repellent and consider the plug-in vaporisers (can get at Medelo in Silves) as well as the nets provided. Book for longer than one week, time went very fast...
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We shopped for food in the nearest town and ate at restaurants in the local village and surrounding areas, so hopefully some local benefit. Environmentally, the house uses solar power and it's easy enough to take usual measures to minimize water/power wastage etc. We drove everywhere though - car hire really is pretty much essential - but that's stated upfront in the property description - and if we went again, I'd actually consider getting something with a slightly bigger engine (we had bottom of the range 1.2L) as some of the dirt tracks to the beaches and hills up to Monchique could've done with something with bit more oomph!
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fabulous - we went with no other aim than to relax and that was very easy, very sad to leave. Thank you, also to Claire and Hans who were very helpful.
| Reviewed 6 Jul 2008 by Karla Law | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most memorable part of the holiday for me, was waking up in the morning, opening the cottage door and the cool breeze would come in after such a hot night, I'd then get all the breakfast things out on the verander and we'd sit as a family having breakfast outside planning our day, it was lovely!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don’t arrive to late in the day if you have children, as you will need to get some provisions in from the supermarket. Don’t worry about bringing lots of baby equipment with you, our cottage was well stocked with toys, books, high chairs, beech umbrellas, etc which made life really easy.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We ate in the local restaurants which were fantastic, friendly and really tasty simple meals, we shopped locally, and recycled etc.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The holiday was excellent, the buildings and gardens were beautiful, and decorated so tastefully, a truly relaxing place to stay and spend time. The children loved the pool and it was very safe for toddlers and younger. The beaches were easily accessible and really lovely as was the town Silves, which was a nice place to spend some time looking around. The food was excellent, both from the local supermarket and from the local restaurants. It was also nice spending time with the other people staying there and we all got on well. We would come back again!!
| Reviewed 30 Jun 2008 by Karen Gallagher | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was exactly what 'it said on the tin' - it was totally relaxation, just what we needed, the only stress being whether we should just spend the day lounging around or whether we should go sight seeing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It's a 15 minute drive to the nearest supermarket, stock up on all the things you like to eat to save on numerous trips and have a supply with you so that you can settle in before rushing out to find something to eat.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes definitely.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, we all really enjoyed it, especially our 2 year old.
| Reviewed 7 Jun 2008 by Lynn Larsson | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Great position of the cottage allowing us to explore many different beaches.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Nearest beach is 30 mins so as long as you are prepared to spend some time travelling to the coast, the cottage really is the best rural retreat and ideal place to relax in the late afternoons and evenings.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
No not really. Shopped at the supermarket. The only real environmental aspect for the holiday was the solar heating for water at the cottage.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great! Wonderful cottage and amazing gardens, pool and lovely children’s play area.
Read the operator's response here:
Thanks Lynn for your comments & I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay at the cottage. You may not feel that your holiday benefited local people directly but actually every booking we receive provides our staff (all of whom live locally) with much needed employment & a valuable source of income. So even though you shopped at the supermarkets your booking contributed to the local economy indirectly, & that is invaluable - thank you!| Reviewed 24 Apr 2008 by Daniel Bebber | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Whole holiday was perfect. Picking oranges off the tree for breakfast was a highlight, but also the spring flowers on the surrounding hills, the beautiful gardens, the pool, the trampoline and sandpit for the children.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Caneiros beach is very nice, and not far. Great restaurant there.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We benefited locals by buying local produce (oranges, honey, fresh fish). Hot water is solar, recycling and composting bins available. A filter for the tap water to clean it for drinking would help, thereby reducing bottled water use.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely loved it. Our children enjoyed themselves and that means a lot.
| Reviewed 3 Sep 2007 by Penny Betts | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The fantastic location set within the countryside and amongst tasty fig, lemon, and pomegranate trees giving you a feeling of seclusion but still within driveable distance to some fantastic beaches. Our 4 year old and 1 year old just loved the pool and outdoor living and as parents we felt very relaxed within the surroundings.
Claire and Hans who greeted us on site were very friendly and incredibly helpful recommending the best beaches and places to eat out with the children and a great local takeaway for when the babies were asleep for the night.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We were supplied with numerous very useful children’s items - high chair, bed guard, (rather old) pushchair, children’s bowls, cutlery........and cbeebies was useful on the odd occasion. All of these were great not to have to bring along with us but we did regret not taking our own pushchair for the time at the airport and waiting around for an hour at europecar. I'd also recommend parents take along a portable highchair as they aren't that readily available when eating out - juggling your 1 year old on your lap trying to feed them a bit tricky.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
There is a lot of provision for recycling waste and the solar panels certainly supply some very good hot shower water. We did go to the recommended local restaurant which was brilliant and we were made very welcome. The food was a hit with our 4 year old and our 1 year old was a big hit with the Portuguese ladies.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a fantastic time in a very beautiful setting. The pool, play fortress and trampoline were in great use throughout the week. The accommodation is very well laid out giving you privacy when wanted from the other villas but the option to socialise as well. The beaches recommended to us offered shade for our one year old and sun for us - although we did buy a parasol which we have left at the White cottage for the next visiting guests (plus some buckets and spades). We loved it that much that we are considering booking up for next year hopefully with grandparents in tow so we can enjoy some night life next time.
| Reviewed 24 Jul 2007 by Lorna Fox | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All of it! The Old Distillery 1 bedroom villa where we were staying and the general layout of the whole place was so relaxing, with the pool and the hot sunshine. It was also in the heart of the countryside and we felt like we were lucky enough to see the 'real' Portugal.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just go for it! Don't hesitate. Portugal, the Algarve and especially this place, is fantastic. Very rustic and relaxing.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. Despite our air miles (for which we are going to plant oak trees in our local area....not ideal but a step of the way), we feel our holiday benefited local people. We made sure we bought our produce and any gifts from the local market. Where we stayed used solar power for heating the water, a bore hole for water supply and it had a salt-water pool. It was just great and very peaceful too.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant. Just what we needed. Relaxing, peaceful and nourishing.
| Reviewed 18 Jul 2007 by Dale Robertson | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Watching a majestic eagle cruising over the trees as we sat on the terrace eating our evening meal and barbecuing beautiful food as the night fell, eating by candlelight with the pool, trees and flowers as our backdrop.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I would strongly recommend this holiday to those who are looking for a pleasant place to relax and who would like to be off the beaten track. The local villages, countryside and farms are all very interesting, as is the wildlife. The gardens are beautiful, the buildings are attractive and well restored and the setting is very relaxing and secluded.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We probably brought little direct benefit to people in the immediate locality of our accomodation but we did shop and eat in the nearby town. Recycling and composting were actively encouraged and supported at the accommodation and use of electricity guzzlers (e.g. fans) was at the discretion of the visitor.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We were happy with our accommodation, liked staying there and would like to return in future. We arrived tired and stressed, and left a week later well-rested and relaxed!
| Reviewed 9 Jul 2007 by Kate Hawkins | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The peaceful location, the lemon trees with an abundance of lemons, the villa which was everything we could have hoped for and more, the friendliness of Hans and Claire and the local characters e.g. the donkey man whom we encountered during our visit. It felt like real Portugal.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The welcome pack requested and provided took the pressure off shopping for the first night/morning and was worth having if you are arriving late in the day. The villa was extremely well equipped so shopping locally and cooking was easy and pleasurable.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It did benefit local people as we shopped in local markets where we could rather than relying totally on the large supermarket in Silves (although this was very good). The markets sold excellent fruit, vegetables, bread, honey, piri piri sauce etc etc. There were also roadside stalls selling fruit. In addition, we used the local restaurant nearby which offered excellent food at amazing prices and with portions large enough to satisfy the biggest appetites! The hot water is provided by solar panels so this is environmentally friendly and we sorted the rubbish into that which could be recycled and kept the compost heap topped up at the villa!
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. The location was perfect - away from the tourist areas but close enough to visit the many lovely beaches/coastal villages as well as the inland towns. We were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to travel around on roads that were unexpectedly quiet. This is a perfect location for families with young children but equally we were able to keep teenagers occupied by dropping them at the beach or resort and going off exploring on our own.
| Reviewed 7 Sep 2008 by Melanie Brooks | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Was a holiday to relax in the sun, get away from hustle and bustle, and to take very young children abroad for the first time. Our best times were playing in the garden at the cottage and paddling in the pool.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If staying off the beaten track, buy torch, candles and matches for powercuts. Avoid the resorts on the Algarve, these are boring with poor quality cafes. Great for travel with baby and toddler. Great food available for those on special diet in the supermarkets (dairy egg and nut free). Get a road map, don't rely on guide books. Take baby and child carriers to explore towns and castles, as not buggy friendly with cobbled streets and steps. Faro is worth a days visit to look around on the way home/way out.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
To some extent. We stayed in a small hamlet, but mainly shopped in supermarkets for food. We ate in some local cafes. The cottage is powered by solar power, the pool chlorine-free and we didn't do many miles by car. Visited non-tourist areas, so avoided large chains.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a number of minor problems to resolve, which took out a few days from our week. We therefore did not have the time to explore the local area as we would of liked. However, the cottage was excellent for young children and the toddler loved outdoor living and freedom of the walled garden. The local area had been savaged by a forest fire and was quite barren and burnt. However, the cottage was very quiet, peaceful, and isolated, which is what we wanted.
| Reviewed 27 May 2008 by Annette Kelly | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
A day trip to Sagres and Cape St Vincent, the westernmost point of the Algarve, stopping on the way at Burgau and Ingrina Beach, driving along the west coast up to Aljezur, and coming back through Monchique in the mountains. We got to appreciate the amazing varieties of landscapes in the Algarve. Also the Saturday morning market at Loulé, near Faro. Fish cataplana - the food, across the Algarve, is nothing short of fantastic, whether eating out in restaurants or shopping for fresh (and cheap) ingredients on markets and on the roadside. And the incredible number and stunning variety of beaches in the Algarve, from long sweeps of sand to small, almost inaccessible rocky coves.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't expect warm waters if you book a low season holiday - this is the Atlantic Ocean, after all. Which means the weather can also be overcast, with scattered showers. We were not very lucky with the weather.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We tried to shop locally and to make the most of local markets (mostly in Silves), but as the accommodation is tucked away in the countryside, we had to drive to buy the basic necessities and to eat out. The management encourages guests to recycle and make use of the compost heap, but the latter is hard to get to through the lush vegetation of the farm surroundings.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a good, relaxing holiday. Thankfully we're not exactly "beach bums", so the changing weather didn't affect us too much. We stayed in the Old Distillery and, although it is full of character, it felt a bit run down, with rickety furniture and a very basic bathroom. The common areas also looked run down, as if the whole place wasn't ready yet for the high season rush. The outdoor furniture hasn't seen a lick of paint in years (the coffee table in the pool house has rusty nails coming off - as our toddler son found out very quickly), and the farm surroundings were left unkempt (we once ventured through a nearby field, only to find a trampoline lost amidst the knee-high grass). That said, it is a good place to stay, away from the brash resorts and the high-rise hotels of the coast. The pool is perfectly safe for children, and the playground is truly fantastic, for kids and adults alike!