Villa Ana Margarida Beach

The beach is close by, and it’s a short walk into a very nice town. The rooms are a good size, the pool area is lovely, and the receptionists are friendly. Still, it felt a bit pricey for what we got. Our villa was damp and noisy. The room smelled musty, and our skin and clothes felt wet after being on the bed. I didn’t unpack because the wardrobe smelled so strongly that I thought it would transfer to my clothes. There were woodlice in the bathroom at night and one on the sofa bed one day. The bugs weren’t really the issue, they showed how damp the villa was. One side of our villa faced the public beach path and an area with a cafe/bar. We couldn’t leave the bedroom window open to air it out because someone could climb in, and it was noisy at night and early in the morning. Another villa might only get road noise. A couple we spoke with loved their poolside villa. It was musty for the first two days, but they could open all the windows to air it out. The grounds look beautiful, with everything handmade by the owner, almost as if it was made for Instagram. But the steps are all different heights. Our villa was at the back, where there were quite a few steps or extremely steep ramps more like slides. I wouldn’t recommend it if you have mobility difficulties. The kitchen was very basic and musty, with a hob, microwave, and fridge. The freezer compartment wasn’t cold enough to keep ice lollies frozen. The boiler gave us enough hot water either for everyone to have 3-minute showers or to wash the dishes, but not both. It broke one evening after 7, so we went through that evening and the next morning without hot water. It was fixed quickly, but it showed the villa needed maintenance. There’s a small, unstaffed convenience shop on site, but it closes at 7 p.m. It’s also where you get free drinking water, so the early closing time isn’t ideal. I appreciate the service, though the nearby shops are open before 7.

The staff were friendly and helpful throughout, and the peacocks roaming the grounds gave the place an exotic feel. There were so many seating areas that it was easy to find a quiet spot away from others. The sea-facing glass gazebo meant we could enjoy the ocean even when it was windy or raining. Our poolside villa was comfortable and nicely furnished. The place is quirky, bright, and unique, perched on the cliff above the beach, close to the ocean with the surf audible nearby. One thing to know: there’s no drinking water from the taps, but you can get it free from a dispenser a short walk from our villa. That might be inconvenient for some, though we saw it as part of the experience of staying somewhere so unusual. I loved it and would go back in a heartbeat.

I really enjoyed my five-night stay and would be delighted to return. It amazes me that this place is rated only one star. For accessibility, location, and service, I’d give it at least three. All the staff were extremely helpful, polite, and friendly, and spoke perfect English.

Would you want to spend a precious holiday beside a parking lot and public area, with cars coming and going from early morning until late at night? Exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke blew straight into our sleeping room, and the noise from people and car doors kept waking us or stopped us from sleeping. It really sucks to have the hotel owner assign you that particular room without telling you, even though you booked more than a year in advance.