Imagine swimming under the stars in a beautiful mosaic-tiled delightfully warm pool lit up by an underwater light, looking up at the expanse of a magical clear night sky. Or taking an early morning dip, knowing that the pool will be at the perfect temperature, looking out over the lush valley, over orange orchards, fig trees and carob trees…
Welcome to villa Casa Mariano, nestled in the beautiful countryside near Paderne, where the real Portugal begins, just 15 minutes drive from the bustling resort town of Albufeira with its many beaches and the beautiful coastline of the Algarve.
Totally private, with its own electric gated driveway, there are no houses to the sides or in front, just fields and a beautiful valley and amazing elevated views from the garden and pool areas. At night-time, the city lights can be seen at twinkling in the far distance across the valley for an alternative pretty scene.
Around the pool and garden there are various lounge areas to relax, including a hammock area, each area with its own unique view, ample sun loungers and outdoor dining furniture, ready for that perfect BBQ fare.
The 4m x 9m pool has easy graduating steps down with a depth of 1m at the shallow end and 2m at the deep end.
There is a large flat-screen multi-channel HD TV including UK channels in the spacious lounge area with it’s comfortable leather sofas, dining area, and double aspect sliding door views to the pool and garden.
The fully equipped kitchen with a spacious American Fridge Freezer, wine racks and Nespresso coffee machine also has stunning views from its windows over the pool and valley and direct access to outside.
Wifi and USB/USB-C charging stations are built into the kitchen island and also beside the beds in each of the double bedrooms.
There is Air-conditioning in every room throughout the villa and electric black-out shutters in each room for the perfect night’s sleep.
The villa can sleep up to a maximum of 9, which is 7 adults and two children including two junior pull-out beds (on request). A portable cot and high chair are also available (on request).
Bedroom 1 is a beautiful original Victorian antique double bed, with a double-aspect view of the garden and colourful bougainvillias, with sliding door direct access to the garden and pool. Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower.
Bedroom 2 features a SuperKing bed with leather head board for a roomy night’s sleep. View to the fields of olive trees and our lemon tree.
Bedroom 3 has twin beds but can be made into a triple room with the addition of a junior bed on request. View to the rear garden, orange tree and almond tree.
Bedroom 4 is a single bed with the option of a pull-out junior bed, with a view to the rear gardens and bougainvillias.
The second full bathroom also features spacious twin sinks with plenty of space for your toiletries.
There is a workstation in the foyer, including a desk, office chair and printer, and information on attractions and things to do.
The nearby quaint village of Paderne is a short drive or 20 minute scenic stroll and has a church, mini-supermarkets, grocer shops selling local produce and homemade craft shops, a bank, pharmacy, cafe’s and restaurants. The nearest cafe and restaurant are just 10 minutes walk from the villa and there are many more within a short drive in either direction. All these cafe’s and restaurants serve their own ‘prato da dia’ at lunchtimes which is an excellent value home-cooked Portuguese fare, usually including bread, olives, wine and dessert for a very modest sum.
There are numerous very pretty walks and marked trails around the village and surrounding area, including a trail to the Moorish Castle ruins above Paderne, affording stunning views across the countryside and valley below. Definitely worth a visit.
We love that our villa is a home away from home, with such a feeling of relaxation, yet it has such easy access to major shopping malls such as Algarve Shopping in Guia (10 minutes drive) which has numerous boutique and fashion shops such as Zara, C&A, H&M, BodyShop and Victoria’s Secret, a huge hypermarket with a butchers counter, bakery and fresh fish counter, a pharmacy, health clinic, multi cinemas and a huge food court above with an outside garden space.
Guia is the village nearby, 1km from the mall which is the birthplace of the famous Algarvian BBQ chicken Piri-Piri, of which there are dozens of restaurants in the village all serving this mouthwatering picante dish. A must-try and it’s quite addictive!
The A2 motorway access is just 6 minutes away and will take you in either direction to Faro (airport just 40 minutes), or the fishing towns of Portimao and Alvor (30-40 minutes) and many more regions of the Algarve to explore.
Why not take a train to Lisbon for the day? The train station located at Tunes is just a few minutes drive away!
Optional Extras: The pool heating has a supplement of €300 per week heated to a constant 28C/83F day and night and includes an insulated pool cover. This option must be given with a minimum 3 days advance notice.
An extra bed in Bedroom 3 to make a triple room has a supplement of €10 per night.
Portable cot and high chair has a supplement of €5 per night per item.
Mandatory Local Tourist Tax is payable in cash on arrival with a charge of 2 euros per person over the age of 13yrs for a maximum of 7 consecutive nights, for bookings between April 1st and October 31st.
For example, a family of 4 adults and two children aged 9 and 14, staying for 2 weeks in August will pay a maximum fee of €70 for their entire stay.
