Casa da Guarda

The lack of privacy was a big problem. Even though the house is down a private drive, a frequently used footpath runs right alongside it, so people pass just a few feet away while you’re trying to relax. We left after four days of our planned ten-day holiday because the place felt unhygienic, hazardous, and exposed. There was no refund. The pool area was in disrepair, with broken, uneven concrete around the water that could cause trips. A sunbed had broken slats, and the sunbed and outdoor seating cushions were stained. Inside, the floors, kitchenware, and cutlery were dirty, and there was a poor choice of tableware. The toilet was blocked and its door handle was hanging off. The sofa cushions were torn, some light bulbs were out, and the Wi-Fi stopped working after 36 hours. The electrical fitting above the door was in poor shape, a bolt was missing from the coffee table so its glass top was loose, and the window shutter stays needed repair.

We stayed at Casa da Guarda from June 6 to 11, 2021, with my husband and our four-month-old daughter. The experience was disappointing because of both the facilities and the owners. We won’t return, and I wouldn’t recommend it to friends or family. The surroundings are beautiful, but the whole property, including the exterior, needs care, cleaning, and maintenance. On our first day, we told Nilly about several problems: dirty dishes left by the previous guests, clogged showers that made it hard to bathe, and a fridge leaking water, among other things. She said she’d come the next day to speak with us. We didn’t see her until our last day, and she gave no explanation for missing that commitment. When we finally met, Nilly said they didn’t feel a need to look after the house’s interior. She said German and Dutch guests only cared about the outside and went out for meals, and that Portuguese guests weren’t their target market. She said this was why they didn’t need to invest in the inside. When we mentioned that earlier guests had also raised maintenance and hygiene concerns, she asked, “So why did you come?” We took a chance and made a bad call, but in my view she handled our concerns arrogantly. The owners showed little good faith or humility in accepting criticism. After we posted a review on Booking.com, the reply said: “Dear Guest, We are sorry that the experience was not to your liking, if you have and issues we ask to be informed in due time and not after check out so we can address them.” Booking.com doesn’t let us respond to that, so we’re setting the record straight here. We did raise the issues on the first day. Nilly only spoke with us in person on the last day, when she said they mainly cared about the pool because German and Dutch guests rented the house for that reason and ate out. I won’t go into more detail about the property, as my husband Filipe has already covered that. The surroundings are a feast for the eyes, but the house itself, outside included, needs maintenance, care, and cleaning.

The pool and the peace and quiet are outstanding. This is a unique spot, near urban facilities yet tucked among steep cliffs and untouched coastal woods. Some of the Algarve coast’s best-kept secrets are within walking distance.

The view from the house is unlike anything I’ve seen, absolutely breathtaking. We had an amazing, relaxing two-week holiday, and the house’s stunning surroundings gave me two weeks of bliss. Highly recommend!