Casa Rosa Guestbook.
Read what some of our guests have had to say about their stay at holiday apartments Casa Rosa.
I never thought when I Googled "Algarve apartments" I would find Casa Rosa. A brilliant place to stay. You make your guests so welcome and comfortable and the cooking is the icing on the cake. Great birding and good company - Add Algarve sunshine and Casa Rosa for a receipt that never fails. Can't wait to come back!
Rachel and Rustom Patel. Oct 3 -17 2006.
Thanks again for a wonderful week in the sun, this is our third time and to us its like home from home. The area around Casa Rosa is untouched by the usual tourists and is a great area to relax in and get away from the hustle and bustle of normal everyday life. We have once again enjoyed the evenings in the bistro, where Hanny's cooking is unbeatable and after the meal enjoyed Roger, Hanny and Fudge's company along with the other guests who are staying. The facilities at Casa Rosa are excellent all the apartments are fitted out with everything you would need, anything else you can think of Roger can rustle up for you. The weather, the food, the facilities would all get 10/10.
Jo and Stan Taylor. Stockport. Cheshire. July 2006.
We truly felt like we were at home here, nothing but blue skies, warm days and a great apartment with wonderful view. Our hosts could not have been better. You gave us advice on what sites to see, provided us with wonderful meals and most of all the chance we both needed to relax and to "do nothing" but read swim and relax. We will miss you both and Fudge. He is such a wonderful friendly dog. We can't think of anywhere we have been where we felt more safe and looked after. Can't wait to return.
Ken and Marilyn Jacobson. Seattle WA USA. July 2006
While waiting at Faro airport for our return flight to Birmingham at the end of a nine-day visit to Casa Rosa, we unanimously agreed that we had just enjoyed ‘The Perfect Holiday" for anyone seeking convenience, contentment and tranquility without knocking a dent in the bank account.
"We" are a group of three couples of somewhat mature vintage who have been friends forever and a day, and who have holidayed together at various locations around Europe and beyond, as a party of either six or four, dating back to 1959.
We’ve stayed at guest houses…hotels large and small… in villas… and on boats. We could can claim, I guess, to have ‘been there, done it, bought the T shirt’, in a modest kind of a way (since we’re neither rich nor overly adventurous.) during our years of enjoying each other’s companionship in this way.
So why did this particular nine-day excursions constitute ‘The Perfect Holiday’?
Firstly, Casa Rosa, is all it claims to be on this web site, so no need to expand on that particular theme. The ‘bonuses’ that enhanced the ideal nature of the establishment were many.
The journey from Faro airport to this idyllic hideaway deep in rural Portugal, away from the international tourist traps on the Western Algarve, took no more than 25 minutes in a hired vehicle, on fast almost-deserted roads with no navigational difficulties.
When you arrive you truly feel that you have your own place in the country, complete with swimming pool, self-catering facilities, ample living space and in a private little community with exclusive bistro and warm, friendly service.
More treats emerge as you get to discover the area. Locals, we were told, earn on average only some €500 per month. Consequently the cost of the abundant local produce is geared to this humble pay structure. You can have your plate filled with sardines, or other delights from the sea that laps nearby, for a few euros at the local restaurants.
They’re neither as ‘smart’ nor as ‘sophisticated’ as their like on the Algarve or the Costa del Sol. But the food is excellent and plentiful, the wine is as cheap as the bottled water can be in the ‘smart’ and ‘sophisticated’ regions on either side of this under-developed and totally unspoiled region. And it is very drinkable, even at a euro or two or three a bottle, in the supermarkets.
There are two large, modern market buildings in the nearby port of Olhăo, and there you can purchase any, and every, description of sea food, fresh as the morning air, fruit, vegetables , meat and deli products (at what seem l
ike 1950s prices!) from merchants who seem motivated more by quality and service than by profits.As for the locality, it shows no sign of wanting to attract international tourism…no ‘Full English Breakfasts’…no ‘Happy Hour with two drinks for the price of one’….no red-bellied lager-swillers despoiling the atmosphere…no rip-off merchants flogging time-share.
You can hop on a ferry and visit small, nearby islands….you can go to the golden and never-ending Barril beach on a cute little train…you can visit the elegant Tavira with its attractive bridges, buildings and its air of calm, unhurried life in the slow lane.
Also, you can drive up into the mountains, find little villages and markets for yourself or you can ‘stay home’ and languish by the pool while awaiting your pre-ordered, home-cooked meal in the bistro.
Oh, yes, and you can take your golf clubs and play on three or four different courses within a 40-minute drive or so. Here I must add that, in driving around fairly extensively, the longest traffic ‘jam’ we encountered consisted of three vehicles, the petrol or diesel was far cheaper than in the UK, and our flights each way were bang on time.
For nine days we experienced wall-to-wall sunshine and warm evenings with a nightcap under the stars yarning and sipping quaffable wine, either red, rosé, white or green completed by a glass of local port and a midnight swim, if we wished.
We tried to imagine how the holiday might have been improved…and decided that perhaps the sardines could be taught to leap straight out of the sea and onto our plates.
Dennis Shaw June 2006.
When we're sitting in traffic on the M25, we will remember the IP1 with pleasure! When we're trying to get some peace and quiet while our student neighbours are playing football in the kitchen to loud music, we will think of the peace and tranquillity of Casa Rosa! While the London traffic warden is trying to book us, we will cast our minds back to the ease with which we parked in Olhao and Travira. The same for comparing English weather with Portugal's clear blues and sunshine - no contest! And when we go about the daily grind, listening to people bemoaning their lot and the way things are declining we will re-visit (in thought anyway) our considerate hosts at Casa Rosa. Linda and Ian. Hatfield, Herts. April 2004.
We wanted to find the "Old Algarve" and looked on the internet - Casa Rosa stood out. We've been around the world, but now wanted a relaxing and peaceful holiday retreat. On all counts our expectations have been exceeded and there have been bonuses like Hanny and Roger being wonderful hosts and Hanny's cooking in the Bistro has been exceptional. We have found our "place in the sun" and plan to spend much more than a week here next year. All in all Casa Rosa sets the standard for others to match! Max and Sally Weir. Manchester. Feb 2004.
We wanted time to relax from busy lives and also to explore the Algarve. We didn't know what to expect, but from first meeting Hanny and Roger and being shown our delightful apartment, we knew we'd made the right decision. Everything about Casa Rosa is excellent. The pool, surround and sun beds, the apartment delightful and Hann'y cooking wonderful. Pam and Steve Clowes. Ashby de la Zouch. Feb 2004.
A lovely relaxing week in a really friendly atmosphere - the best chill-out place we've come across. Anne & Colin Paterson October 2003.
Just got back from walking the dog, having picked fresh lemons for gin-fizz...... looking forward to another of Hanny's home-cooked meals. Bird list now over 80. Good birding, good beaches, good hospitality and company - what more could you want. Neil & Renate Barker. Willingham, Cambridge. September 2003
"Many thanks for a relaxing six weeks winter break, we will remember it with pleasure and look forward to visiting again soon" Cliff & Mabel Allison. Cumbria. March 2001
"We honestly didn't know what to expect from Casa Rosa, but it is great and we will be back". Kim and family. Luxembourg. July 2001.
"We really enjoyed our eleven days at Casa Rosa, it is so peaceful and relaxing and such a good spot for touring the Algarve. We will be spending more holidays at Casa Rosa. A Little place in Heaven". Irene & David Carlyon. Skelmersdale. April 2001.
"In all our travels around Portugal, Casa Rosa has been the most suitable and perfect for our needs. The friendly welcome and genuine concern for our comfort have been much appreciated" David & Barbara Davis. Cardiff. May 2001.
"Casa Rosa is a jewel in the countryside. A perfect place to relax, chill out and experience the real Algarve. When we arrived the message was loud and clear. "Don't be strangers". we have really enjoyed our five week stay and hope to return soon". Alan & Sandra Puddy. Bristol. May 2001.
" Thanks Hanny and Roger for making us so welcome, Casa Rosa is beautiful as are it's surroundings, a wonderful introduction to Portugal. The Children have had such a good time here and it is such a change to be able to relax while they have fun in the pool. A wonderful place with friendly hosts". The Palfreymen. Cheshire. June 2001.
" We were very pleased to find you in cyberspace and even more delighted to have spent a few wonderful days in this little paradise. We both feel "In The Pink" appropriate for a stay at the Pink House. Peter and Connie Talbot. Cheltenham. June 2001
"Thank you very much for your hospitality in the wonderful Casa Rosa. We have spent some unforgettable days here in the Algarve". Tibor Harai. Budapest. June 2001.
" Casa Rosa has been a fantastic place to stay, at the end of each adventurous day, it's been great to "Come Home to Casa Rosa" You have both been so helpful and accommodating and have helped to make our holiday so special". Lesley & Richard Hirst. West Yorkshire. July 2001.
"Casa Rosa has been our base camp for trips all over the Algarve. The kids have had a lovely time in the pool and we have had a most relaxing time in the place that we think is the best in the Algarve. Hallgeir and Frida Snorre. Norway. July 2001.
"We were very excited when we first saw Casa Rosa on the internet and we have to say that the real Casa Rosa is even better than the pictures on the web. We have had a perfect vacation". Hanne Sveberg. Norway July 2001
"We feel fortunate to have found Casa Rosa. Thanks for a lovely time in a beautiful setting with very gracious hosts.The Summers Family. Washington D.C. August 2001
"We have been visiting the Algarve for 17 years and this has been our most relaxing yet, we've hardly left the poolside except for food, drink and sleep. You have been wonderful relaxed hosts with a great sense of fun! The Wardrops. Randwich. August 2001.
" Thank you for our great stay at Casa Rosa, you have been so welcoming, friendly and accomodating". Linda & Dick Mabbs. Minneapolis USA. August 2001.
" Thank you for a lovely relaxing holiday - 5 days that turned into 7. You made us feel so welcome. The apartments are beautifully kept and you've made Casa Rosa into a lovely place. Sue & Bob Dwyer. Ontario Canada. April 2003.