fantastic house

We've visited Solar de Santa Isabel twice now - the first time our 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' all girls (ok, I use the term 'girls' with a little poetic license!) trip in 2006, with 12 ladies and then, because we loved it so much, we brought our hubbies and some other friends along in 2008 as a mixed group. The house and location are perfect for everyone - we range in age from early 20s to late 50s - singles and old marrieds - so you can't get more of a diverse range of people than us - and it suited everyone. There are lots of good restaurants locally, great beaches and livelier bars/clubs just a bus or (cheap!) taxi ride away (all available within about a five minute stroll). The house itself is quirky and interesting, all 12 bedrooms have en suites and there are interesting furniture, photos, curios and pictues etc all over the house. Pay to have the pool heated and you can have a lovely warm mid-night swim - fantastic! The couple of reviews that mention the 'small' kitchen make me smile - the kitchen is absolutely fine if you only want to prepare snacks and continental breakfasts to eat in the beautiful garden, and the main thing is that there's plenty of fridge room for wine and cocktail ingredients. To be honest, there are so many great eating places in Portimao and the various other towns/villages just a stones throw away, I can't imagine anyone wanting to prepare full on meals. We didn't even get round to BBQing although that would be wonderful in such a lovely environment. In a nutshell, this is a great venue for a big party of people and would pretty much suit any demographic. And ladies, as if all that wasn't enough, there's a fabulous designer shoe outlet shop just one minute further along the street - pretty much the icing on the cake if you ask me!!!

We were a group of 12 people over 60s had a wonderfull time right by all the amenities just a perfect place we hope to go back one year

Solar de Santa Isabel is an excellent rental choice in the heart of the Algarve. The house itself, with its authentic period charm, is a stones throw from both the town centre of Portimao and the marina.

The house offers everything a large family group could want. All the rooms were en-suite, large dining areas, private garden and pool.

We felt right at home, close to nightlife and restaurants and yet able to hold bbq's in the comfort of this wonderful house.

The staff and of course Pepe the dog could not have been anymore helpful to us.

All round a great house in a great location.

We have had two fantastic group holidays at Santa Isabel in 2006 and 2007 and although the kitchen is small it is possible to cater for 16 people very well. All rooms are delightfully quirky and are kept spotless by the resident housekeeper - the first floor drawing room is delightful. The owner is very helpful and friendly and Tina his friend who lives next door is wonderful - thanks for introducing us to Fada! I cannot recommend this house highly enough - great location, excellent local restaurants and bars, gorgeous pool and patio - perfect for that early morning swim and late afternoon G&T! Plus you get the added bonus of the wonderous Don Pepe the resident house dog! We will be back in 2009 to celebrate yet another milestone birthday! All in all a Stately Home experience on a semi-detached budget :-)