Casa Meranka — Hotel in Vila do Bispo

We stayed at Casa Meranka for a full month, and honestly, it was so much more than just a place to sleep — it felt like visiting friends. That cozy, welcoming feeling is largely thanks to the incredible hosts, Josh and Margo (spelled with an o). They were always available, super helpful, and genuinely kind. Anytime we had a question about things to do in the area, we could message them and get quick, thoughtful replies.

The surrounding area is incredibly peaceful, perfect if you’re looking to truly unwind. And it’s just a short walk from what we found to be the most beautiful beach in the region: Praia da Figueira. We explored every beach we could, and this one remained our favorite. If you’re planning to explore more of the Algarve, we highly recommend having a car. We brought our own, but we’re confident Josh and Margo can also recommend solid local rental options.

Our cottage had a lot of charm — we believe it used to be the sheep shed of the old farm that Casa Meranka was built from. It’s been transformed into a surprisingly spacious and characterful little home, complete with Portuguese touches and thoughtful decor. Nothing felt sterile or bland like in some rentals — there were plants, little details, a sense of care. We had a separate bedroom, bathroom, entrance hall, and living room, with even an extra sofa bed we didn’t need. It felt bigger than the photos had suggested, in the best way.

The shared courtyard at Casa Meranka was another highlight. Each cottage has its own picnic table just outside, perfect for sunny breakfasts. While we were there, a sauna was being finished, and we had the chance to use it several times — such a treat. There’s also a cold-water pool, great after a sauna or during hot summer months. Since we stayed during March and April, we didn’t use it much, but it would be perfect in warmer weather.

Casa Meranka also offers a nice rhythm of optional community activities, like yoga sessions and singing circles, without ever feeling intrusive. It added a touch of liveliness without disturbing the peace. The weekly yoga sessions were convenient and high quality — a great way to stretch and reset, led by Igor, who is a grounded and thoughtful instructor.

Above all, what stood out to us most was the calm, easygoing atmosphere. Everyone staying there seemed to be looking for the same thing: peace, connection, space to breathe. There was a quiet respectfulness among guests, no noise, no stress — just a gentle pace of life. I worked remotely during our stay and the Wi-Fi was excellent, which made it all the more perfect for a longer trip.

Josh and Margo — thank you so much. You’ve created something truly special with Casa Meranka: a space that feels warm, human, and grounding. We hope to...

Prima plek - dichtbij Sagres, Lagos en om de hoek bij het heerlijke Selema. Goede tips van de eigenaren zijn aanwezig om in de buurt te bezoeken. Vooral gericht op lekker en healthy eten. Leuk!

Leuke kruidentuin, waar je lekker mee mag koken. Opzet is gezamenlijke chill ruimtes, eigen cottage met bedden, douche en keuken.

Tip - Het mag her en der wel likje verf gebruiken. Even wat opfrissen. Onze wat oude zitbank deed me wat denken aan mn studententijd. Hierop lag een afdekdeken. Sommige meubeltjes wat veel of kapot. Houd zeker van vintage, mag wel wat frisser zijn. En bedden heel graag in een groter, Hollands formaat.

Huis was wel lekker koel, dat hadden we niet verwacht. Ook op onze vide slaapkamer net onder het dak.

Op het moment dat wij er waren, vooral Duitse gezinnen met kleinere kinderen.

Heerlijk klimaat in deze regio, koele wind, fijne temperatuur. Keuze uit pareltjes van stranden 🏖, verschil tussen zuidzijde en westzijde. Zuid is vaak wat warmer, meer beschut en fijn om te zwemmen 🏊‍♀️ … lekker fris water 🙀. Aan de westkant zitten de vele surfstranden 🏄‍♂️ met hoge golven. Soms de bekende mist tot later in de middag. Dat geeft een lekker temperatuurtje. Fijne sfeer op deze stranden en volop mogelijkheden voor...

We stayed here for 1 week and everything was absolutely perfect! We had the peach tree house and it feels like a small other world you enter, with the pool, the frogs, the plants etc! Lagos and Sagres can be reached easily by car in 20 minutes and also the beaches are not far away, one can be reached by foot in 15 minutes as well! It was a pleasant stay and we would recommend to...