Sehr friedliche Villa auf dem Land mit Panorama-Meerblick in einem schönen eingezäunten Garten

We were delighted to arrive after a long journey and were not disappointed. The villa was very clean and welcoming, the maid had put the heaters on so it was nice and warm inside as well as out. We explored the house and found everything needed for a great holiday. The pool looked fantastic and we quickly got ready for a swim which was lovely. We found a very good taxi firm which came to collect us every evening, so no need to worry about drinking and there was an ample supply of taxis to bring us back the fare being a very reasonable 5/6 euros. We followed the recommendations re restaurants in the owners local notes and found these very reliable without exception.

We spent most of our time lounging around the pool at the villa but did venture out to beaches now and again and explored further afield towards the west coast. We were particularly fond of Ingrina and Salema on the way and the beaches up the west coast are all very stunning and almost undiscovered. The beach bars are all very good, but it's a shame they have all been made to conform to certain rules which has robbed them of their individual style. Nearer to home, we particularly like the restaurants at Porto de Mos, as you are right on the beach and can enjoy spectacular sunsets. It is worthwhile going inland through Portelas and up to Bensafrim then twirl around and go back through Barao St Juao and St Miguel, an unspoilt area of the Algarve unchanged by time. In short a great holiday with lots of variety .

The house is in great shape with a fantastic garden and pool. Very social areas with lots of both indoor and outdoor space. The view is amazing.

We very much enjoyed our stay in the Casa do Miradouro in Falfeira, a small rural neighborhood on the outskirts of Lagos. The house is quite large, with great views out over the valley and down to the harbor & beaches east of Lagos. It is wonderfully quiet, and peaceful, and Lagos is almost deserted in late December. Weather here was great for the season-- low 60's (F) and mostly sunny for the entire 2 weeks we were there. The pool is heated (though for extra cost!), and works even in this off-season. The house itself is a bit odd in design, but well appointed. It has two very nicely refitted new full bathrooms with heated floors and towel bars, but the kitchen is a bit spartan, and the fireplace in the main living room does not work. The doors and windows are a bit old and need to be treated carefully, but they are secure and functional. If it is privacy and seclusion you are seeking, with a view and convenient access to everything in Lagos, this is your spot! if you seek something brand new and uber-luxurious, keep looking ;-)

This villa is in an ideal location with good amenities the owners are clearly very passionate about ensuring their guests comfort. The villa is clean and tidy and sports two luxury bathrooms which are new additions this year. The maid Antonia is very thorough and it's really lovely to fully relax knowing the day to day tasks are taken care of. Great place and wouldn't hesitate to come back or recommend to others.

The situation of the villa is stunning with wonderful panoramic views. Even in December we were able to sit out on the upstairs terrace with the bougainvillea still in bloom & admire the extensive vista. The pool area & gardens are spacious & well maintained & would be idyllic in the warmer months of the year, for those who like the heat, though it was warm enough to sit out a few times even in the dead of winter. We were there for a month. It's so peaceful. We are keen birdwatchers & with hoopoes, azure-winged magpies & owls visiting the garden frequently, it suited us perfectly.

The management company was very helpful & if there was any kind of problem, it was dealt with immediately, but nearly all the information we needed was in Mrs Purefoy's very comprehensive notes.

Two new bathrooms had just been installed & we had the pleasure of being the first guests to use them. For this time of year the underfloor heating & the heated towel rails were very welcome.

We had time to explore the whole area, mostly the wild & rugged landscape & beaches west of Lagos & up in the Serra Monchique. We found the villa an excellent base for our excursions. For anyone interested in bird watching, we found the estuary & lagoons immediately south of Mexilhoeira Grande very rewarding, but there are lots of good areas in the vicinity, for example in Sagres & beyond at the Cabo de Sao Vicente.

The only downside is that in the winter, since the villa is designed to keep out the searing summer heat, it was pretty chilly in the mornings & the evenings. There is a log fire, but it did take a while for the place to heat up in the evenings. We were always out most of the day, so weren't lighting the fire till later. However we got quite used to it. It's amazing how quickly you adapt.

All in all we had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday & would go back without any hesitation.