House in Sao Bras de Alportel, Algarve

Back in time to Real Portugal: olde worlde charm combines modern facilities

Back in time to Real Portugal: olde worlde charm combines modern facilities

Photo gallery for Back in time to Real Portugal: olde worlde charm combines modern facilities

South facing gated terrace over pool, partially in full sun, partially shaded
Comfortably furnished cool, shaded veranda overlooks the pool near the hot tub
Hot tub at the bottom of the back garden behind pool area
Drone picture over Casa Violeta with uninterrupted southern views
Double hammock at the front of the house

Overview of Back in time to Real Portugal: olde worlde charm combines modern facilities

4.8 out of 5 Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning

Check out the area

Sao Bras de Alportel, Algarve
  • Popular LocationOld Town8 min drive
  • Popular LocationNovacortica Cork Factory11 min drive
  • Popular LocationEstoi Palace17 min drive
  • AirportFaro (FAO-Faro Intl.)41 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bidet · Toilet

Shower room 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Back in time to Real Portugal: olde worlde charm combines modern facilities

For a 360 degree Virtual Tour please look up this link:
https://www.spherical.pt/VirtualTours/200806/200806001.html

This deceptively spacious and light "casa rustica" sits at the end of a tranquil lane in a tiny hamlet in the Algarvian Barrocal mountain region where you can peek into a bygone era.

Casa Violeta tucks into the mountains among aromatic eucalyptus, cork trees, mountain herbs and wild flowers; culminating a ribbon of truly rustic cottages, vegetable gardens and chicken coops. A beautiful tropical garden hugs the cottage on three sides giving total privacy in unspoilt mountain scenery.

The exclusively private swimming pool is permanently heated to 23 degrees C enabling swimming in the cooler months (with the option to boost the pool heating to 28 degrees C for Euro 200 per week payable on arrival) and a gated terrace for child security and peace of mind overlooks the pool deck for sunny alfresco dining with cushions, sunbrollies and comfortable outdoor furniture; step down past the equally "just for you" private hot tub (lovely and relaxing especially on cooler evenings!) on its own little terrace. A path leads you to a shady garden with a west facing barbecue area and comfortable outdoor furniture conveniently by the kitchen.

Gorgeous sunrises to the east, if you're awake early enough; stunning sunsets to the west, unspoilt by any buildings, which can be enjoyed from the hot tub or barbecue area.

There's another south-east facing barbecue area in the front garden for sun- worshippers with a handy hammock for flopping into.

With no light pollution to dull the stars and moon stargazers will love the brilliant night skies.

Recently inspected by and invited onto Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay - Portugal website.

The hot tub heats to 40 degrees Centigrade.

The pool heating can be boosted on request to approx 28 degrees Centigrade for an additional Euro 200 per week, payable on arrival. The pool cover should always be used at night.

The front door leads you into a large living room with traditional cane ceilings and skylights, making it lighter than most old country cottages. Archways, thick walls, a functioning feature fireplace add to the olde worlde charm.

Modernity kicks in with ceiling fans, air-conditioning, flat screen TV with UK freeview channels.

Free wifi.

Three colourful sofas with cushions and bright artwork contribute to the light and airiness of the room. Windows and the doorway give out to the front verandah crowded with bougainvilla, wisteria, grape vines and geraniums - and sunshine and blue skies.

Step through a wide chunky archway to the dining room with five chairs around a round table and check out the especially commissioned "Casa Violeta" azulejo (tile painting)...look through the well equipped kitchen to the back door which leads out to the barbecue area.

The master bedroom is set off the living room; again, it's a large room with big furniture - 6ft (superking) bed, bedside tables, huge wardrobe and dressing table.

The bedroom has its own door leading out to the terrace overlooking the pool with superb views and handily placed for nipping out to the hot tub.

Back inside the bedroom an archway leads you into a large generously proportioned ensuite bathroom.

The ensuite has been upgraded with a deep and comfortable roll top bath (complete with little legs), shower apparatus, a "thunderbox" WC with old-style overhead cistern and a basin set in a pretty vanitory unit with cupboards and shelves and a matching wall hung mirror cupboard.

The house bathroom is just off the living room via a little corridor which leads to the twin room. Again this is a spacious room with large wardrobe and chest of drawers. The bathroom has a big walk-in shower, WC and basin set in a pretty vanitory unit.

Property manager

Mags and Ian
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Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking inside the house please

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Sao Bras de Alportel

Located in Sao Bras de Alportel, this cottage is in a rural area and in the mountains. Municipal Swimming Pool and Fonte Benemola Park are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Paintarena Portugal and Karting Almancil. Travelling with kids? Consider Aqua Show Park, or check out an event or a game at Algarve Stadium. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby swimming, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking, hiking/biking trails and horse riding.

What's nearby

  • Old Town - 8 min drive
  • Novacortica Cork Factory - 11 min drive
  • Estoi Palace - 17 min drive
  • Faro Marina - 27 min drive
  • Old Town Square - 28 min drive

Getting around

  • Faro Station - 26 min drive
  • Faro (FAO-Faro Intl.) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • Tachinho da Avó Luísa - 8 min drive
  • Restaurante Avenida - 7 min drive
  • Pastelaria Ervilha São Bras de Alportel - 9 min drive
  • Restaurante Beira Serra - 9 min drive
  • Café do Pirica - 8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Back in time to Real Portugal: olde worlde charm combines modern facilities pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Back in time to Real Portugal: olde worlde charm combines modern facilities?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Back in time to Real Portugal: olde worlde charm combines modern facilities?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Back in time to Real Portugal: olde worlde charm combines modern facilities located?

Located in the mountains, this family-friendly cottage is within 6 mi (10 km) of Old Town, Costume Museum, and Municipal Swimming Pool. Ruins of Milreu and Estoi Palace are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

4.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 5 - Excellent. 23 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Good. 3 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 3 - Okay. 1 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Poor. 0 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 1 - Terrible. 0 out of 27 reviews" "

4.4/5

Cleanliness

5/5

Check-in

5/5

Communication

4.8/5

Location

4.8/5

Listing accuracy

Reviews

5/5 Excellent

Victoria M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing holiday at Casa Violeta
The villa is situated in a tranquil spot, with amazing views. The pool area, patios, garden and hot tub are well maintained and gorgeous. The bbq area was conveniently next to the kitchen and we made use of this most nights. Inside the villa has everything you need, is neat and tidy and cosy. There is a Lidl only 15 mins away in the car and the drive to the airport was only 35 minutes. The owners responded quickly if needed and were very helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

5/5 Excellent

Adrian S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Retreat
A real Gem in tranquil mountain setting. Plenty of restaurants within 12mins drive. Every thing you need is at the Cottage including a great welcome pack and wonderful Hosts.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

5/5 Excellent

Martin D.

Fantastic!
This wonderful property has all you would ever need for a relaxing holiday. Great facilities. Helpful hosts. Good sized pool, hot tub, BBQ......etc etc. Hope to return next year!
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

5/5 Excellent

Marc v.

Pure luxury and every need catered for! A real home from home
As soon as we arrived and were greeted by Mags and Ian we knew we'd scored Gold! As well as the beautiful decor, amazing pool, the hot tub with its delightful view and the carefully tended gardens, all our practical needs had been catered for as well. And A/C in every room - plus fans. Forget those holiday homes where you have to supply everything down to salt and pepper, soap, washing up sponges and tea towels in order to live decently; everything was provided starting with a really generous welcome pack. All cushions for sun chairs and loungers, dishwasher and tablets, washing machine, powder and softener, hairdrier, all linens (including pool towels), teabags, sugar, sweeteners, coffee etc to tide you over, numerous kitchen supplies, implements, crockery etc, and best of all an ICE MAKER! Much needed in the heatwave! ( And obvs: oven,hob, fridge with freezer section, microwave, coffee machine (& filters) and cafetiere, iron, and all stuff for proper food prep); and there's empty cupboard space to put your groceries away!! Rare in holiday homes!! Radio & CD player. The beds are comfortable, have good pillows, everywhere is spanking clean. Plenty of wardrobe & drawers space. The gardens have so many flower and fruit trees there are some we couldn't even identify! There's a choice of BBQ area (we used the one outside the kitchen as most practical choice) and outside lighting. There are also numerous candles and holders around the site for your use. Under the TV a chest of drawers holds a multitude of goodies - games, DVDs and loads of books for every taste (they're in the bedside cabinets too) - made us more than happy to leave ours when we left. You can get the main GB channels on the TV too! It is pure pleasure to sit by the pool - with the fantastic views and tops of conifer-type trees peeping over the walls; you really feel the 'nature' - swallows dip into the pool and ring doves coo all the time - a particular couple watch your every move! Didn't see any owls or orioles - maybe that's seasonal... Even the mosquitoes weren't bad. We got a couple of bites, but we also didn't use any repellant either. You do need a car - it is situated in a very small village and even to get to Sao Bras is a car journey. Do note: the local Portuguese restaurants only serve food between 7- 9.30pm though (shock to us). The Hot tub at sunset or night-time is a real treat! Pure, indulgent luxury! Mags & Ian were happy to help with any queries - big thanks!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

5/5 Excellent

Joseph D.

Excellent accommodation. Well sited and clean.
Excellent. Mags and Ian were really helpful and kind.

About the host

Hosted by Mags and Ian

Host profile image
Clive and Charlie have owned property in the Eastern Algarve since 2001. Charlie's childhood was spent in Peru until her family relocated to Jersey. The family were happy there but missed the wild rawness of Peruvian countryside and in the 1970's retreated to a summer bolthole in Almeria, Spain, later moving on to Las Alpujarras, Granada where her artist mother loved to paint.

Charlie inherited the love of a simple rural life and when visiting friends near Estoi she and her husband Clive fell in love with the Eastern Algarve.

"Casa Violeta" came up for sale, followed by "A Casa do Campo" in a village reminiscent of happy, stress-free childhood holidays away from tourists in beautiful unspoilt surroundings in which Charlie hoped that many others might appreciate and enjoy.

Why they chose this property

Apart from the fact that it's "just" beautiful, we love the area because, as one guest wrote: "Casa Violeta is away from it all but not isolated". You can gaze at the mountains without seeing a single building but know that if you run out of coffee there's a well stocked supermarket not ten minutes away!

Swim all year round with our free of charge policy to heat the pool to 23C in cooler months and warm up in the hot tub which runs, for free, all year round and heated to 38C. Unlimited use of both amenities.

Local vans come up to the village selling bread rolls, cakes, fresh fish, etc, and it's fun to see what's available for an impromptu BBQ.

The houses around are all relatively old; nothing modern here, which combined with the friendliness of the neighbours, gives a comforting feeling of community spirit, solidarity and timelessness.

Equally, the country roads are quiet and unless you go to the coast the driving is easy and stress-free and no need to use motorways.
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