We stayed at Villa Oliya in October and have to say it is a beautiful Villa , we all loved it private pool heated at the time we were there so was lovely . It is a very spacious Villa with everything you would need and more !!! The owner Rachel was a great help from start to finish. Nothing was too much trouble and she even arranged our transfer to and from airport and advice whenever needed x I would not hesitate to recommend this Villa to anyone and we will definately be returning . It was near to everything bars restaurants gift shops. X Kay Brazier, Birmingham Unitedkingdom - Oct 17
We stayed for a week for my husbands 60th and our son's 30th birthdays, 6 adults and our 5 year old grandson.
We had a fantastic time our grandson virtually learned to swim in that week and loved the pool as did everyone.
The facilities were great and we had a fantastic BBQ on a few occasions.
The location is central to everything with the strip just a couple minutes walk away.
Rachel was amazing nothing was too much trouble and also sorted out our transfer with Fat Cats transfer which were excellent. Any queries were dealt with very quickly.
Ann who is the agent for the villa was very helpful and just at the end of a phone if you needed anything.
A wonderful holiday had by all. Linda, Halifax - Sep 17
We stayed at villa oliya for a week in September.
From the first point of contact the year before rachel was much more than helpful with everything we asked.
Booking was prompt and advice on transfers and a recommendation was given. The transfer company new exactly where the villa was so took us straight there.
I was pregnant at the time of booking so wanted to pick somewhere to accommodate a new baby and rachel advised the villa was well equipped for this and I can confirm it was. Everything you could need was there.
All welcome instructions are easy to follow and made things so easy when we arrived late in the evening.
As we arrived late we asked for a welcome pack and rachel was more than accommodating with this asking If there were any special requests for anything for the baby or any little extras we required.
The villa itself is very well presented and you feel right at home.. The pool area is great with a great size pool with easy access Into the shallow end and the garden even has sunshades over the loungers. There are two veranders to sit at so you can always have shade if you wish.
The use of pool towels and a hairdryer in each bedroom was a nice touch too so you didn't have to pack as much to take with you.
It was great that the villa was completely enclosed with a tall electric gate so no one could see in and alarmed as well.
If we were going back to Portugal is definitely check to see if villa oliya was available.
Overall rachel was a great host, the villa was fantastic, clean and you could tell a much loved family holiday home.
Thanks rachel for making it a great stay
Emma, Kent - Sep 17
We stayed at Villa Oliya at the beginning of August, after reading all of the reviews we had high hopes and were not disappointed!
The villa is situated very centrally 2 minutes walk to the strip and a 5 minute walk to the beach, the train stop is about a 5 minute walk just up the strip and gets you to the old town in about 15 mins at 6euros each, travelling with a 4 year old we used the train a lot she absolutely loved it!
The villa itself was absolutely beautiful just as described! We were in the master bedroom upstairs as we have 2 young children so needed the space for the travel cot and extra bed! It has a huge balcony with a beautiful view, an en suite bathroom with walk in shower which was perfect for the kiddies! The villa was well equipt with a travel cot, high chair, toys, puzzles, pool toys, dvds etc the dvds and puzzles came in very handy for those 40 degrees days where it was just to hot for the kids outside.
The pool area is perfect sunbeds situated on the grass great sun trap! with the table and chairs just outside the patio doors, again perfect shaded area for the kids.
Rachel was absolutely brilliant from start to finish, she went out of her way to make sure we had a great holiday! - even pointing me in the direction of where to go and get baby milk after I couldn't find sma in the shop (the supermarket stop 4 on the train had an alternative)
I can definitely say if we returned to Portugal Villa Oliya would definitely be at the top of our list! Anyone thinking about staying at Villa Oliya should not hesitate to book we had an absolutely brilliant holiday! Thanks Rachel. Nicola, Aberdeen, UK - Aug 17
We've just returned from a wonderful stay at Villa Oliya. The villa is really well equipped with lovely little touches like boardgames and a lending library which we made use of. Location is perfect, close to many restaurants and bars which can be lively at times! Outside terrace attached to the main upstairs bedroom was perfect for sunbathing and the pool and outside area were immaculate. We only had a few days here but I know we'll definitely return. Rachel was great at sorting everything out and making our holiday stress free, thank you Rachel!! We can't wait to come back!
K Cope, Stockport - Jun 17
This was our 6th holiday in Albufeira and by far the most perfect. Rachel’s hospitality has been exceptional from the moment we made contact and I can honestly say, she has gone above and beyond to book, plan and provide an outstanding holiday.
Fat Cats Transfers (Booked by Rachel) met us as soon as we reached Faro arrivals, were incredibly friendly and know Villa Oliya very well. They remained invaluable throughout our stay, to get around the local area and to provide transport and discounted entry to Zoo Marine (and many other places) with just one phone call and the mention of Villa Oliya.
On arrival at the Villa we were greeted by the Lovely Anne who takes great care of Villa Oliya and it’s guests. Who also went above and beyond to ensure we did not leave Portugal without the inhaler that my son left in the Villa when we left.
In addition to the exceptional service provided by Rachel and Anne, Villa Oliya also has a team of gardeners and a pool man that keep the garden and pool spotless.
The Villa is very spacious with an open plan living area, well equipped kitchen, separate utility room, 3 large bedrooms, 3 stunning bathrooms, and a beautifully kept garden that suited my whole family from age 9-64.
For myself and my husband the master bedroom was pure luxury with great storage, wet room and huge roof terrace (with sunbeds) through a large set of patio doors. Not to mention the most comfortable and well dressed bed that we are already missing. Quite simply a perfect oasis when you are holidaying with a teenager and your in laws, lol.
For my children, the highlight was definitely the heated pool that I can only describe as heavenly, even for a family dip at midnight in April! It did amuse us when the guests in the next door villa decided to follow our lead until they jumped into their pool with a lot of shrieking Followed by a quick exit. It would have been rude not to boast!!!!!!
For my mother in law, the highlight was the location because everything you could possibly need (shops, restaurants, cafes and the beach) is just at the end of the road and there is something for everyone.
I cannot end this review without telling you how safe we all felt at any time of day or night. The road is very well lit up, the electric gate and high walls around the Villa provide complete privacy and the alarm system in the Villa gives that extra piece of mind when staying away from home. So as I say “Villa Oliya really is a Home from Home” and we have already booked to return in October. Shsron, Southampton, UK. - Apr 17
The villa is like a home from home. It's absolutely beautiful. Rachel was fantastic. Very helpful and sorted out our transfers for us. I would definitely recommend holidaying in this villa. We loved it that much we are going back again October 2017 and June 2018. Zoe Rebecca And Coby, Leeds England - Oct 16
Yesterday we left Villa Oliya with a lovely glow and a whole load of happy memories that we have always found in the Algarve, but this holiday was made even more special by the beauty and charm of Villa Oliya and by the kindness shown by the owner, Rachel Sullivan.
The photographs of the villa are amazing, but when we first walked in we were like children on Christmas morning, giddy and excited as we explored for the first time! It is so lovely and spacious and has everything that you could possibly need for a truly relaxing holiday.
The villa has two twin bedrooms downstairs, one with a stunning modern ensuite shower room and also a luxurious main bathroom with gorgeous furniture and a lovely large bath. The bedrooms were spotless and have super storage and lovely clean crisp bedding. They are also air conditioned which was a bonus for a little retreat from the gorgeous sunshine!
Upstairs features the master suite which is amazing! Again air conditioned with lots of storage, hair dryer, a comfy bed, mirrors (ready for getting glammed up in the evening!) and a fantastic wet room, super modern and stylish. But that's not the best bit...a large set of patio doors leads to a terrace where I found myself each morning just looking at the blue sky and taking in the beauty for 5 mins before the day begun! There are sun loungers up here and is a super area for catching the sun in almost complete privacy. (Can you tell that I loved this bit?!)
The open plan living area down stairs was so very spacious and very quaint with lovely features such as the beautiful fire place or the little arched hallway leading to the bedrooms. There are lots of Windows and 2 sets of patio doors where you can access the patio area and pool. (I'll come to outside soon!) The furnishings are modern and super clean with a large table to seat 6. The kitchen has everything you need to comfortably cook for the family (as we had read from previous guests we took a taxi to the local supermarket which was only €5.90 where we stocked up on drinks and lots of lovely food.) The fridge is a great size with lots of storage in the kitchen with lovely cutlery, pans, crockery and a fab assortment of glasses! (If you are anything like me you like a certain glass for certain drinks! There was even a jug which we utilised well to add fruit to sangria!) (oh, by the way there is a great tv, DVD player, a Kodi box for watching films or Tv but we didn't find a use for these!) The Villa is equipped with good Wi-fi (which kept our two teenagers happy!)
I shouldn't be so excited about this but I loved the utility room...mainly as I didn't bring any washing home! We bought some washing liquid (€4.99) so could freshen up anything we needed and it dried so fast in the lovely sun on the washing line or maiden.
As for outside...all I can say is wow! It's the first time that we took the leap to stay in a villa and it was fabulous! The heated pool was amazing! Super clean and a perfect size for a swim, a good game with the kids or to float around on a lilo! It ranges from a depth of about 95cm (with steps to walk down) to about 1m95cm (which was brill for the kids to jump in!) It is lovely and private so no worries about other guests or vying for a spot by the pool! The towels were provided on the 6 loungers which could be positioned in the shade or the sun. Lovely lawns and absolutely beautiful flower beds with the occasional dragon fly whizzing by! Outside there is a large patio table which we used most days and also a smaller one too at the front of the villa. There is a ping pong table too round the back where we were delighted to find the authentic BBQ which we obviously utilised! The front of the villa has an electric gate so it is completely secure and private too.
The villa is situated just a couple of minutes walk from the famous 'strip'. Here you can find little shops, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. We had a variety of meals out from breakfast to burritos! My personal favourite was a restaurant at the top of the strip which serves authentic Portuguese fish dishes along with Peri-peri chicken too! The steaks are to die for and all of the staff are welcoming and friendly. The kids loved the Italian ice cream bar with the widest variety of ice cream flavours I have ever seen! We walked also to Olhos de Agua and to the Old Town which was lovely to stretch out legs! We couldn't resist a go on the road train too and even a Tuk-tuk ride back! (The train is either €2.50 one way or €4 for a day ticket. The Tuk-tuk was €10 and was a good laugh!)
The local beach (although we didn't have a day at the beach as we could't resist the pool) was about a 10 minute walk and had a couple of lovely restaurants and lots of fun activities such as banana boat rides. We had a lovely Chinese lunch and a gorgeous breakfast in this area. We have visited the Algarve on lots of occasions and there is so much to explore and many fun days out to be had (can highly recommend Zoo Marine and the water parks are brilliant too) There are some beautiful cove beaches off the beaten track such as Benagil or Carvalho and I'm sure that Rachel wouldn't mind helping you with car hire if you wanted to explore further but we found that we didn't need to this time! There was plenty to entertain us in the local area or a short distance away in a taxi, road train or Tuk-tuk.
Just by the Villa is an amazing cocktail bar called Libertos. It is well worth a visit and there are some amazing live artists that play there. As we visited in high season, we could here some of the music from the villa (sometimes quite late) but this did not detract at all from all of the other positives about the Villa and its location.
We chose to book our holiday directly with the owner Rachel who was amazing. Efficient, helpful, informative and generally a really lovely kind person. Because of this we saved on booking costs that some companies charge and she even arranged a private transfer from the airport; nothing was too much trouble. We feel really pleased to have shared this experience with her, and feel grateful that she has shared her beautiful villa with others to enjoy. We would not hesitate to book again (and are currently dreaming about when that may be!) Thank you so much Rachel and we hope that this (rather long...sorry) review is valuable to people who are considering Villa Oliya.
Much love, Jenny & Mark xxx Jenny And Mark, Malvern Uk - Aug 16
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