Casa Belaventura — Hotel in Loulé

We were part of a two family group that recently spent a couple weeks at this villa after having booked through a 3rd party holiday home site. We were sold a large, luxury traditional villa (mysteriously called Casa Marrakesh not Belaventura on that site for some reason) with all the trappings expected for the almost 7,000 euro price tag. Firstly, I will say that the house is intrinsically quirky and beautiful and the garden and pool house are simply fabulous however.... do not be under any illusions...it really is "rustic" which basically translates as "owner has not invested in updating appliances, fixtures and fittings that either don't work, or are alarmingly ancient and temperamental". The house is old, so naturally has "traditional" Portuguese plumbing - this means you cant flush anything down the loo that's not from you. Not a problem, but it would have been nice to have a heads up about this (as well as the other things to follow) BEFORE booking. Other things potential visitors should be aware of..||1. There are cameras all over the place that are monitored supposedly for health and safety reasons. Again not a problem, as long as you know...||2. The owner like to pop in very regularly (in the two weeks we were there, I think there were only a few days he didn't make an appearance) and let's you know when you arrive that he may come in at anytime into the main house to check his emails. Fine, as long as you are not the shy and private type...||3. There is a maid who comes in to tidy up each day and is lovely lady. Can't fault her, however it seems she is definitely not given long enough in between guest departures / arrivals to do a proper deep clean. Won't go into it but I spent the first few hours of our holiday rectifying this personally. ||4. The Portuguese plumbing - again.. We had the water cut off in the house three or more times supposedly because of a problem with the source to the pool. The pool was cloudy (pump obviously not working) when we arrived and then overflowed on the following morning, draining all the water to the house (no showers or running water) when it refilled. This sporadic problem went on for pretty much the whole time and we were given loads of excuses (sun creams from the previous people, plastic bag in the pump etc) and then at the end of the stay the owner tried to blame the 25 year old pump malfunction on us (he reckoned a Ping pong ball had got in the system) and tried to sting us for the deposit. ||This was thoroughly unscrupulous and although we agreed to spilt the difference with him as a good will gesture we came away with a very, very bad taste in our mouths. ||Go, if you like rustic, rural retreats, but know what you are buying into and don't use anything, because something ancient might break and you won't get you're...

Me and my friends found Casa Belaventura online and despite few reviews were inspired to rent a week beginning of July there. ||It is difficult to write this review since we are all still very melancholic about our time there and honestly, like probably many others who go there , would like to keep it a secret, so weeks like our week there could repeat themselves, but I promised Mr Carlos I would write this, so here it goes… I’m not going to go on about how gorgeous and clean the place is, how safe, how great a breakfast Agata serves, how in tune with weather and winds Mr Carlos is, but instead what I will recommend about the place is the feeling it leaves you with…like you have just had one of those long lost vacations that were part of your real or imagined childhood, somewhere fascinating and beautiful , full of things to explore and admire. ||Like you were suddenly off for a holiday at your rich uncle’s house who sails ships around the world, collects art and knows which heads should stay on which fish. I am pretty sure you will know what I’m talking about by the time your stay there will end. It is rare for a place you rent to create such an impression so I can also guarantee you will miss the hell out of the place. You have been warned.||But there you go, I have promised I will write something. ||So. Go there, pay Mr Carlos whatever he asks you. In the end, you will still be...

I have recently spend a magnific vacation week in Belaventura house.||||The property is amazing and really big.||All the spaces and rooms inside are with really good taste which creates a relaxing environment ideally to rest and charge batteries.||||Although we were only two, the house is excellent for big families and kids. ||The big and beautiful garden area with a natural swimming pool make it perfect to have fun and spend memorable time with family and friends. Also there is sun all day in the swimming pool.||The house is fully equipped with Barbecue, Tv and Wi Fi even in the outdoor and pool.||Although the house is located in a very peaceful area, with no noise, it is also easily and quickly accessible to restaurants, discos, amazing beaches and Marinas.||||Carlos, the owner, is a really nice and open minded person which speaks several languages and can advice regarding the best places nearby.||||This is a true paradise, which I recommend to anyone who wants to spend a relaxing and quality time and also have...