We phoned from Faro airport and arranged to meet Maria on site, she took us around and gave us a guided tour, all good, nice and clean and spacious for our 3 families, 6 adults and 5 children 16 to 4 years. Quick 5 minute trip by car to nearest supermarket and we’re all set.
In the late afternoon we found the kettle was dead, so managed to work out electric hob and boiled water for our tea. Advised Maria of problem. Next day at the beach just a 5 minute walk downhill, arriving home there's a new kettle in a box, great service.
Another minor hiccup was that the previous guests had shut the safe with their password, so we had to wait to get a key to open it and then put in our password from the inside. Sorted.
The villa is ideally located for “the Strip”, a 5/10 minute walk on level roads, the beaches and the “Old Town” ( downhill ) with great views down to the sea, as other reviewers have noted. The children all loved the pool.
But I’m going to lower the rating average i’m afraid. At the end of the day the solar hot water does just not deliver enough hot water! The family with the young child started to shower early about 5-00 pm as they eat early. By the time i left the pool about 6-30 / 7-00 pm, still sunny, nice and hot, after 9/10 showers the water was only lukewarm. We all needed a evening shower before going out for our meals after being covered in suntan oil all day. Talking to Susana there is some problem with the solar units, ( there was hot water flowing down the driveway during the day) but as the villa is fully booked for the busy season they are reluctant to bring in workmen who would disturb the guests, until it's quiet in Sept. / October.
Another irritant is the rear security shutter to the patio, this is broken, a guy came out on the Sunday we arrived to inspect it, but nothing else happened ! Not a big problem as the outer door does lock.
5 stars for the villa and location.