Monte da Vilarinha
Carrapateira, Algarve, Portugal
Fabulous, family-focused apartments in a leafy valley close to the stunning beaches of the Costa Vicentina
As you follow a winding road down into a wooded valley, across a
narrow bridge then up towards an isolated cluster of low schist
buildings you sense that something really special awaits you. And
there are few self-catering Portuguese hideaways that have been so
masterfully crafted, inside and out. Each of Monte da Vilarinha's
living units (a mix of 10 rooms and apartments, spread
between 3 houses) brilliantly combines clean-cut, contemporary
design with the traditional Alentejano materials of slate,
terracotta, bamboo and local adobe-like taipa. They, and their
shared poolside diner, are as functional as they are
good-looking.
But what makes Vilarinha stand out from the pack is its
family-friendly ethos. This is a place where children are not just
tolerated but celebrated, and any kid would find staying here a
joy. There's an adventure playground with swings, slide and
climbing ropes, a wooden roped walkway snaking through the trees,
mountain bikes to ride, a beautiful pool, 32 hectares of enchanted
valley to explore and beautiful beaches close by. For toddlers
there's a playroom with toys. And thanks to the peace and tasty
regional cuisine, sybaritic grown-ups love it, too.
Reviewed by Guy Hunter Watts
Last updated 23 April 2012
Highs
- Shared kitchens or kitchenettes are well equipped for self-catering and there’s a communal barbecue area, and a bread oven, so you can get creative
- You're in a Natural Park with heaps of activities on offer, and close to some of the Atlantic coast's most stunning beaches, one within walking distance
- With breakfast included, and lunches and dinners on offer (traditional Alentejo cuisine), this is a highly flexible self-catering set up
- If you came as a family, you could guarantee your children would quickly find playmates
- Sustainability is central to Vilarinha's guiding ethic rather than a mere afterthought
Lows
- Couples without kids might find Vilarinho too family-focused
- Dinners follow a set menu formula but can be adapted for veggies
