Santa Barbara de Nexe holiday villa: Santa Barbara de Nexe, Near Loule, Algarve

This holiday accommodation is certainly the place for plenty of peaceful rest. Having spent 10 nights and many days of sunshine in a peacful setting we have enjoyed the time we had there tremendously. The website photos don't give a sense of scale - the gardens are huge with lots of room to find a shady spot, very well manicured and beautifully landscaped, just like a 5* hotel. The pool which is lit at night, is big as well, about 30 feet long. The hosts, Marie and Luciano are great - very knowledgable and helpful - always ready with suggestions and booking retaurants etc if needed - but not intrusive at all. Spacious accomodation, Sky TV, DVD with MP3/CD/USB compatability, air-con in bedroom, all you could need - a microwave/grill so no heated oven, but there is an open charcoal oven/ bbq. We took the car rental offered by the hosts, this was well priced and waiting for us at the villa cottage when we arrived, after we were collected from the airport - how good is that !!!! Small bar and s/market next door, bigger shop in village 5 mins drive, 2 hypermarkets about 20 mins away. We would recommend for couples who want to relax, go sightseeing, experience a quite stunning beach - 15 mins drive - maybe do a BBQ either at your terrace or at the summerhouse, eat in some very good restaurants - 40-60 euro inc wine - but less expensive are available nearby - and maybe relax with the late sun at the summerhouse with a glass of chilled white port.
3 other cottage villas in grounds and other guests seemed to all do their own thing - never a fight for the sun loungers either at the poolside or on your own terrace!! To close, a final reflection on our hosts - they were truly great - could not have been more helpful or friendly, comprehensive introductory tour, informative and if (like us) you are lucky enough to help them launch their boat for the summer season, you may get to cruise in the open ocean and spend a fantastic day on a deserted white beach with bright sun and a clear blue horizon !!!
What more could be asked for ?

We had a lovely relaxing week at Casa Ventura. The cottages are clean, tidy and well equiped. The grounds are beautiful - the swimming pool is a good size and the summer house is a delight. You will need a car as it is quite remote but there are good restaurants within a few minutes drive. Good base for golf lovers. The owners Marie and Luciano are so kind and helpful. We would highly recommend this for a relaxing break.

What a wonderful place to relax in the sun.
Following a really manic and stressful year of looking after my very ill parents, and the subsequent death of my father we needed a real break.
What a lovely welcome we received from Marie when we were picked up at the airport. (No hassle trying to find the hire car and sort out complicated insurances) The car was ready for us at the villa and cheap fully comp with no "extras" tagged onto the price (like so many)

The villa was more like a mansion with its beautiful landscaped gardens, rolling lawns, flowered beds and discretely designed layout for those who wanted some time for privacy. The pool was quietly set into a niche of carefully planned natural flora with a backdrop of sweeping palms almond trees and grasses. The garden was very well maintained.
When we weren't off exploring the restaurants and beaches then many hours were spent alongside the pool just reading and enjoying cool drinks.
Nina couldnt resist the temptation of the pool and I was the lazy one who watched her as she swam at the end of warm day, and I sipped my cool beer.

The accommodation was excellent with very light spacious rooms and comfortable furniture to relax in. (I've never seen such a lovely large bed ). Loads of storage place, and for those who would want to waste their time washing clothes (can there be such people?) there is a utilities room fully equipped with washing machines and irons and things..

Marie and Luciano were the perfect hosts, very friendly and always ready to give advice on which places to eat at or visit and how to get there. although we were self catering we chose to eat out in the evenings since the food was always so tasty (esp the steaks).

Wherever we went we always found the Portugese people friendly and all spoke very good English. There were many English people living there too some had retired there and others had bought properties for holidays.
It was not difficult to see why people had moved there since the local beaches (Faro island) were so clean and unspoiled.

We spent some of our holiday exploring and walking in the hills and forests where the Eucalyptus Conifers and Cork trees grow. A forest of strong perfumes and of bright wild colours followed us we meandered in the sunlight alongside the streams and rivers.

Many thanks Marie and Luciano for such a warm welcome Such a beautiful place to enjoy our holiday .

Jim and Nina

This was a superb villa and the owners could not be more hospitable and was in a good location, though a car is essential. We would whole-heartedly recommend the villa to friends. The pool and grounds are excellent and are nice in themselves and we came back very relaxed after a very pleasant, relaxing and totally problem-free holiday.
The villa is safe, secure and very quiet and there are plenty of good restaurants within a short drive and it's easy to get in and out of town or go further afield.
We would definitely go back and may well do so in the future.

Yet again we ventured down to Portugal for our annual trip. We go for the good weather, better golf and a lovely quiet holiday in Casa Ventura.
The weather was great, the accomodation lovely as usual and it was nice to see Marie & Luciano again.

This is one holiday we will never tire of.

Thanks again and see you next year (if not before)
Jo & Tracy