Reviews of Property: Luxury apartment in unspoilt Portugal, stunning coastal town, dolphin boat trips

Description Apartment, 53 m²,
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 6, 1 Bathroom
Facilities beach, near the sea, pool, tennis court, balcony, air-conditioning
Rates per property
Set rates in Euros
€60 - €85/night 
€400 - €575/week 
GBP Conversion - Estimated
£54 - £77/night 
£360 - £518/week 
Carla and Simon
+351 286-991102
+351 965-241760
Speaks: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian

6 Reviews of Property 422330 in Sesimbra, Portugal

Rating
5 out of 5

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET AND SOME !!!!!

windermere england
Review Submitted: October 17, 2009 Date of Stay: September 2009
Firstly I would like to thank Carla & Simon for all their help. We had never booked an on line holiday before and we were a little worried if we had done the right thing, Well we needn't have, because right from the start Carla & Simon went out of their way to help us. The apartment is, as my title says, What you see, IS, what you get and more. The accommodation is divine, spotless, brand new and very comfortable, Carla & Simon have thought of everything and lots of extras. The booklets in the apartment are very useful and like another of Carla & Simon's guests, we could find nothing to write in the back on how they could improve the apartment. The pool is cleaned every day, there are showers, toilets and sun beds and shades all for your use and if you are as lucky as us we had the pool to ourselves the entire ten days, it was like our own private pool. The security of the apartments is fantastic all by codes we felt extremely safe. Sesimbra !!! well we think it is a little piece of heaven fallen to earth and called itself Sesimbra. It is beautiful, full of charm and very unspoilt and that, we hope, is how it stays. There are plenty of bars and restaurants some of them tiny, quaint, pretty portuguese stile, just stroll around and you will find something to suit, this is NOT a loud, disco type resort, it is a pretty, working port, thank god. The golden beach is endless and very clean. The charming cobbled streets can be a little steep (so forget the heels girls) but life is so lay back you just amble along and you don't notice. To end, again I would like to say a big thank you to Carla & Simon for sharing their beautiful apartment with us and to my best friend Maria (who was born 20 miles from Sesimbra) for telling us about Sesimbra.
Recommended for:  Romantic Getaway
Owner's Response: Many thanks for your kind words, and to your friend for recommending Sesimbra for your holiday.
We are thrilled that all of our guests seem to look after the apartment so well, and you were no exception to this, the place was lovely after your departure. The town seems to attract a certain kind of holiday visiter, always kind and friendly,
Regards,
Carla & Simon.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Fantastic holiday - fantastic apartment

Review Submitted: November 2, 2009 Date of Stay: October 2009
What a find! Carla and Simon's apartment was perfect for our late October get-away, and it was packed with all the conveniences required for a very well needed and relaxing holiday.

As a couple with 2 children (7 yrs and 2 yrs), we found the apartment very safe for them, the balcony being secure for the little one. The inside of the apartment is kept in very good condition and comes with dishwasher, cooker, washine machine, large fridge-freezer etc. We also found a cool-box that was essential for those lazy days on the beach with a picnic.

The help and directions provided by the owners was very clear and we found the apartment without any problems.

The fishing village of Sesimbra was delightful, and being within easy walking distance of the centre made for enjoyable nights out and the many fish restaurants there.

It also serves as a good base to visit Lisbon and the national parks nearby.

This was our first visit to Portugal, but we will definitely come again, and will not hesitate in recommending Carla and Simon's apartment to anybody.

Happy holidays!
Recommended for:  Sightseeing, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Owner's Response: Thanks Andy and Jo,
It sounds like you got your much needed and relaxing holiday. We were sorry to hear though that the dolphins decided not to show on the day you went. It is a little like fishing, sometimes for no particular reason they decide to have a day off from being admired! We are thrilled though you enjoyed the Catamaran. Better luck next time!
You had some lovely weather, and we were pleased you managed also to visit the nearby Arrábida National Park where your daughters enjoyed the little quaint beaches,
Kindest Regards,
Carla & Simon.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Perfect appartement - Nederlandse commentaar

Frank De Laet Oostduinkerke, Belgium
Review Submitted: October 12, 2009 Date of Stay: October 2009
Wij (2 volwassenen) verbleven in het appartement van Carla en Simon in Oktober 2009, en vonden het appartement simpelweg perfect. De beschrijving op de site klopt precies met het aanbod. Alles in het appartement is splinter nieuw; het bed is ruim en comfortabel, de keuken en badkamer zijn (meer dan) volledig uitgerust. Het uitzicht vanop het balkon naar de ingang van de haven is mooi. Jammer genoeg hadden wij geen tijd om het zwembad en jacuzzi te proberen, maar dat doen we zeker volgende keer. Achteraan de informatiefolder in het appartement zit er een blad waar Carla en Simon suggesties vragen om het appartement nog te verbeteren, maar na 5 dagen zoeken hebben wij niets kunnen vinden dat niet voorzien was.

Een paar opmerkingen over Sesimbra en omgeving: de straatjes in Sesimbra zijn redelijk tot erg steil en volgens ons niet geschikt voor mensen met een beperkte mobiliteit. De klim van op de dijk naar het appartement kan 's avonds zwaar zijn, vooral na een uitgebreide maaltijd en bijhorende drank. Gelukkig kun je het gebouw binnen langs de garages en van daaruit de lift nemen. Wij kwamen enkel naar Sesimbra om onze (stief)zoon te bezoeken die daar nu woont, en aangezien wij niet de strandvakantie types zijn, vonden wij eigenlijk weinig te doen in Sesimbra. Wel genoten we volop van onze bezoeken aan het kasteel en aan Cabo Espichel, waarnaast ook een wandeling naar de haven en pier aan te raden valt. Een paar woordjes Portugees komen zeker van pas om te bereiken wat je wilt, zeker in de kleinere winkels en restaurant.

Naast Sesimbra hebben wij ook 2 dagen Lissabon bezocht (spendeerden bijna een hele dag aan een bezoek aan de prachtige Zoo), hou hierbij wel rekening met mogelijk lange files, zeker 's ochtends. Dat brengt me bij de bemerking dat je o.i. zeker een auto nodig hebt in Sesimbra, tenzij je de hele dag aan het strand wilt liggen. En de auto brengt me dan weer bij een zeer aangename rit die we maakten naar Azeitao en Setubal door het Arrabida Park, waar je in het weekend de lokale bevolking kunt treffen die hun vis bakken op de publieke BBQ's. Volgende keer zullen wij fietsen huren om door het park te rijden.

Wie hier ook zeker moeten vermeld worden zijn Carla en Simon, uiterst vriendelijke en correcte mensen die je graag alle informatie en advies geven die je wenst.

Wij hebben al geboekt voor volgend jaar.
Recommended for:  Girls Getaway, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
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Rating
5 out of 5

Perfect apartment

Frank De Laet Oostduinkerke, Belgium
Review Submitted: October 12, 2009 Date of Stay: October 2009
We (2 adults) stayed in Carla and Simons apartment in October 2009 and found it pretty close to perfect. The description matches the accomodation perfectly. Everything in the apartment looks and feels brand new; the bed is large and comfortable, kitchen and bathroom are fully, if not over-equipped. The view from the balcony to the harbour entrance is very nice. Unfortunetaly we didn't have the time to try the swimming pool and jacuzzi. At the back of the information folder that is in the apartment there is a blank page where Carla and Simon ask for suggestions that could improve the apartment. We spent 5 days trying to think of something to put on that page, but every time we thought we found something missing, we discovered it was provided; so - frustatingly - we had to leave the page blank. The place really is that complete.

A few remarks on Sesimbra and the region: as mentioned here by other reviewers some of the streets are very steep, and indeed the climb from the seaside to the apartment can be tough in the evening after a meal and a few drinks in one of the restaurants at the bottom of the hill. Luckily you can get in through the garages and take the elevator, cutting a couple of floors from the climb. To us Sesimbra doesn't seem very well-suited to people who have a mobility restriction.
We only came to Sesimbra to visit our (step)son who moved there from Belgium, and not being the beach holiday types, we didn't find very much to do in Sesimbra, but we did visit the Castelo and Cabo Espichel (watch your step!), both of which we enjoyed tremendously. The harbour and pier are also worth a walk, and a few words of Portuguese won't go amiss to get you what you want, especially in the small shops and restaurants.

Apart from Sesimbra, we drove to Lisbon 2 days running (spent nearly a whole day at the wonderful Zoo), just take into account if you go there by car, the traffic jams can be quite long in the morning. This brings me to the remark that we feel you really need a car in Sesimbra, unless you plan to spend your days on the beach. And the car brings me to a very nice ride we had to Azeitao and Setubal through the Arrabida Park, where on weekends you can find local people frying their fish on the public BBQ's. Next time we're going to rent a bike to ride through the Park.

Carla and Simon certainly deserve to be mentioned here, they are very nice and correct people who will provide you with all the information and advice you need.
Recommended for:  Girls Getaway, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Owner's Response: Thank you Frank,
It was a pleasure to have you as guests, thank you for your excellent review which will help many to decide if Sesimbra is for them.
As a family (including my retired parents) we are also not the beach type, but fell in love with this town, hook, line and sinker, ironically a fishing term which is so appropriate in a famous fishermans town. It is probably the most Portuguese of all the seaside resorts throughout the country, the wonderful Portuguese people continue with daily life around you, a charm you do not see very often. In the Autumn it can appear quieter, but the piece and quiet while walking on the cobbled streets watching life from a bygone age is fascinating, but if it is noise and excitement you want then Sesimbra without a car at this time of year is not for you, nearby Lisbon provides this.
The superb blue flag beach that runs the length of the town is perfect for the beach lovers as well in the Spring, Summer and early Autumn. In the Winter months when day time temperatures are typically around the 20 degrees mark the town is very pieceful during the week, then weekends will have many day trippers from the city arriving. See you both next year,
Simon & Carla.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Fantastic Apartment and Town

Claire & Tom Cork, Ireland
Review Submitted: September 24, 2009 Date of Stay: September 2009
I was a bit apprehensive about Sesimbra when I booked as I couldnt find much on the internet about it. I shouldnt have worried, and I dont want to write too much in case too many people start visiting and ruining it.

Carla and Simons apartment is fantastic, everything you need, including binoculars, which I was delighted with, spent many hours looking at the boats coming in and out of the harbour. Only one thing to note, a permanent fixed sunshade would be great as I was a nervous wreck every time I put the umbrella up as the slightest breeze seemed to lift it.

We had every intention of visiting Lisbon but got in to such a relaxed mode we didnt bother. We did go to Setubal on the bus from Sesimbra and that was enough big town noise for us. Very easy to get to and a lovely town but we couldnt wait to get back to Sesimbra.

Would highly recommend the apartment and Sesimbra. We will definately be back.
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Tourists without a Car, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Owner's Response: Thanks Claire & Tom,
You looked after the apartment very well, thank you for that. We are so happy you liked Sesimbra, it was described to us recently as the best kept secret in Portugal! The parasol can be screwed tight at the bottom to avoid any lifting. We will leave instructions for future guests, thank you for mentioning it.
Take Care,
Carla & Simon.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Beautiful Sesimbra

Ariso Dublin, Ireland
Review Submitted: August 11, 2009 Date of Stay: July 2009
Sick & tired of package holidays we decided a couple of years ago to hire private lets. Choosing this apt. in Sesimbra was easy. It was exactly as described, a beautiful, new, well designed, modern apt. A fully fitted kitchen with all mod cons was most welcome to this family of 5 (2 adults & 3 girls).
We arrived at Lisbon Airport and had arranged a private transfer to & from the apt. this was great, we were met at the airport and brought directly to the door of the complex. On the return journey we were picked up in plenty of time to get back to the airport. We gave the name of the transfer company to the owner to pass on to others.
The pool (& hot-tub) is on the roof with fabuolus views of the beach and bay. There were times when we felt like it was our private pool!!
The blue-flag beaches are very welcoming however the Atlantic can be a bit nippy so it's best to just plunge in!!
There are plenty of restaurants, mainly fish so it would be advisable to learn a little bit of Portugese or carry a pocket dictionary. Most restaurants do meat dishes too however, there are a couple of Pizzarias (eat-in or takeaway) and a Chinese restaurant too, which is very reasonable. Near the Municipal Market (behind the old fort) there is the best Gelataria (beside Tony Bar & Restaurant). Nights that we ate in we always went for the obligatory stroll along the sea front and ice cream.
Sesimbra is built on a hill so it may not be suitable for everyone as some of the streets are quite steep.
There are plenty of mini markets and a couple of larger supermarkets and a great butchers (who speaks English)near the old folks home/clinic. There aren't that many souvenir shops so a trip to Lisbon is a must!
We wanted a relaxing holiday without all the usual tourist hype and that's what we got.
Owner's Response: Thanks, we are thrilled you fell for Sesimbra, still very Portuguese and unspoilt.
It does help to be sprightly, a few cobbled hilly streets, usually with a smell of sardines cooking along the way, further adds to its overall charm.
Kindest Regards,
Carla & Simon.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 5/5