Reviews submitted by guests directly and to TripAdvisor, HomeAway, etc

★★★★★Villa Vida Nova is beautiful.
Fantastic views, and wonderfully appointed. We spent an ultra relaxing month there in October, November last year. Our favorite restaurant was the 'Foia' at the top of the driveway on the main road. We love the west Coast and the 30 minute drive was no hardship as the drive itself is through lovely scenery...with almost no traffic...bliss! Our hosts Nigel and Bev are without doubt the best owner/mangers we have ever delt with, and we have been Villa users for 25 years. Extremely prompt and efficient in every regard, and literally nothing is too much trouble. Having that reassurance really does have an impact on peace of mind and therefore ultimately the enjoyment of your stay. We will without doubt be returning to the magnificent Vida Nova.

★★★★★ Accommodations were cozy and impeccable!
We recently stayed at Villa Vida Nova, and we had the best time. The accommodations were cozy and impeccable and provided everything we needed, which made our experience that much better.
The gorgeous scenery and the tranquility of the place made us enjoy very much our stay in Monchique. Highly recommended!

★★★★★ Would Highly Recommend!
Wonderful villa in a splendid location with extensive views. Clean, spacious and well equipped, we spent most of our time inside due to bad weather and we were grateful of the comfortable sofas and bed. Fabulous restaurants within a short distance away our favourite being Luar de Foia at the top of the road.
Excellent communication with the owners and good directions from the airport.

★★★★★ Impeccable cleanliness is a standard here!
This marked our second visit to this amazing villa, and once again, it exceeded all expectations. The vistas that envelop the villa are nothing short of breathtaking, complementing the sheer beauty of the surrounding area. If your aim is to find serenity, unwind, and immerse yourself in a cultural journey, this villa is tailor-made for you. Its location is strategically positioned for exploration of nearby towns, castles, and a plethora of dining options (with discount vouchers supplied by the owner!)

The villa itself is a masterpiece, characterized by spacious, open living areas and generously sized rooms. The inviting expanse of the poolside and patio, coupled with a covered BBQ area, ensures that even unexpected showers won't dampen your spirits. Impeccable cleanliness is a standard here, and communication with the host is seamless. We wholeheartedly recommend this exceptional villa, and our anticipation for our third visit is already building—it's just that remarkable!

★★★★★ Addicted
Again, as in June, and last year three weeks my wife and I had an amazing week and get away, from our busy daily life in this beautiful place. You can say now we are “addicted” to Monchique, the Algarve and Portugal. The villa is very well equipped, maintained, peaceful, breath-taking etc. We will certainly be back in the near future.

★★★★★ Exceeded Expectations!
My husband and I have just returned from 4 weeks at Villa Vida Nova and our stay exceeded expectations. On arrival we were taken aback by how spacious the villa was and then we stepped outside to the pool area and fell in love with the view. Gardens are lovely and it was nice to look at the fish every day. The villa is very well equipped, we wanted for nothing. Netflix and Amazon prime were useful but we sat outside by the pool for most of our stay! Excellent barbeque, and very handy having a second fridge outside. Nigel was always quick to respond to emails and very helpful with the whole booking process, especially as we had guests arriving at different times. Nigel sent through a pdf of the villa directory before arrival, which was very useful. The housekeeper Ercilia was unobtrusive and very efficient.

My husband and I had a few days alone and then my parents and a family friend arrived for two weeks. For the last 2 weeks we had our sons and their girlfriends join us. We had 4 days overlap of guests so we used Alojanebti S. Gabriel 1, which is next door to the patisserie Doce & Arte (booked through Booking.com). I would recommend this apartment.

We ate in Luar da Foia on our night of arrival. We were impressed by the choice and quality of food. The staff were very friendly and helpful. We ate there on two subsequent occasions. If you want a table outside on a Friday or Saturday night it is a good idea to book a couple of weeks in advance. These tables are on a 2 hour limit, so they can be a little quick to take your order and we learnt to take our time over the menu! We ate in Ceiceira Tasting Lounge three times. This restaurant is a little cheaper and slower paced. It accommodated one of vegan/gluten free guests well. Our first two meals were very good but I was not so happy with my food choices on visit three. We had a lunch in Foz do Banho, which was very tasty and great value. We ate in Jardim das Oliveiras a few days before coming home, and wished we had eaten there earlier! Such a beautiful outside setting. We had a meal in O Castelo which did a great piri piri chicken and was great value.
We drove into the square most days, either for coffee and/or breakfast or for an evening glass of wine. We used Velochique the most, as it opened at 8am. Breakfast was very good and I would recommend – omelettes, pancakes and granola. Bela Vista with the yellow canopes did a good cappuccino and cheese and ham toastie. Service in Café da Vila was a little slower so we tended to use this one for a glass of wine in the evening. Very good house white from Setabul for 3 euros! Our sons often stayed for a few drinks and a cab back to villa was around 5 euros. (Taxi number 2 is on Whatsapp, and they often messaged him, and he’d come and pick them up from the café).

In terms of going further afield we went to Alvor (40 min drive) twice for a fish lunch. A little pricier than Monchique, but a fantastic choice of fish. We had lunch in Silves, which is nice to walk around, and has a good Lidl. We visited Lagos (40 min drive) a few times, where we had lunch and on one occasion did the dolphin watching tour with Seafaris, which was great. We saw lots of dolphins and got some great photos and videos. We went to Portimao (35 min drive) for the beach experience, some of us on sun loungers (3 beds and 2 umbrellas 15 euros) and others went out on pedallos. Our sons went into Portimao for a night out (and to watch football!) and an uber back to the villa was only 21 euros. Auchan(huge store), Lidl and Aldi very good in Portimao and have an excellent choice of meat and fish, but we used the Intermarche in Monchique for most of our shopping.
We went to Villamoura and enjoyed a glass of wine while looking out at the sailing boats and super yachts. Our sons went parasailing from here, and really enjoyed it. We had a drink and sandwich in the Alkaline Bar at Caldas de Monchique which was very nice. We did drive up to Foia, which has a couple of cafes, a gift shop and great 360-degree views.
On the last day I had a massage and used the Spa at Monchique Resort and Spa. The facilities are very good and I was really impressed with the massage. The rest of the guests hired quad bikes in Monchique. This was a four-hour experience with lunch included at Teresinha - they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We finished the day off with a final meal in Pimenta Rosa, which had live music (Friday night) of a really good standard.
What a fantastic 4 weeks. We did not want to come home!

★★★★★ I am missing all things Monchique and Villa Vida Nova.
Thank you for a lovely time at your villa. The past two weeks have been restorative and oh so much fun. You may have the best view in the Algarve! I will be dreaming of it often. We’ve been back from vacay for several weeks now and I am missing all things Monchique and Villa Vida Nova. One of the reasons we like Monchique, aside from the glorious weather, cool mountain air, and phenomenal views are the excellent restaurants of which there are several: Foz do Banho is close to the Monchique Resort & Spa. We had the most AMAZING cataplana there. It was so good that we went back again and again. It was one of the most delicious culinary experiences of my life.
Luar do Foia (our go-to spot) is an excellent restaurant. We were impressed by the quality of the food and service. My husband runs a large restaurant group at home and was quite pleased. It’s almost impossible to please him especially when it comes to service. For that, I am grateful.

★★★★★ Beautiful Sunrises
Serene in the morning especially. Beautiful sunrises, delicious bbq’s, juicy sweet oranges, spacious, memorable views and peaceful sleeps. We found a favourite pastry shop in town we visited daily. Even twice on one rainy day. Dice and Arte pastry shop. Don’t miss it. Mostly a local shop.

★★★★★Wow, this is a super place.
Very comfortable, well-managed, and private, with wonderful views. Lots of sunshine during our stay.
The Owners said help ourselves to the orange and lemon trees - a thrill to pick for the first time. Really enjoyed the area; it is a good base from which to explore the Algarve. And we loved sharing the swimming pool with the swallows!

★★★★★ Most Amazing week!
We had the most Amazing week in this beautiful villa everything about it was great, the pool the views the gardens, I could just go on and on, Nigel was also very helpful before during and after our stay, I've stayed in lots of villas around Europe and this was the nicest, we will definitely be back again soon.

★★★★★ As Stunning as Ever!
We have 'missed' this wonderful villa for a few years due to Covid etc, but it remains as stunning as ever, and we were very glad to return
Standards remain very high. A beautiful place to relax and chill out.

★★★★★ Loved every minute!
We spent two weeks here in August 2022 and loved every minute. We arrived in the dark so were treated to the views the next morning and spent the next two weeks drinking them in; it's hard to read a book as the view is so distracting! Everything in the Villa was fabulous and the communication from Nigel was excellent. We ate at most of the restaurants that Nigel recommends but kept returning to Luar da Foia for its amazing food, views and service. We also really enjoyed having breakfasts and lunches at the newer Velochique cafe in the centre of Monchique.

We loved seeing all of the local wildlife and spent a lot of time bird watching from in/around the pool and were also lucky enough to catch the odd glimpse of Henry the resident toad! We took Nigel's advice and did two boat trips with Seafaris from Lagos - the dolphin watching trip was amazing, really special. We also loved ZooMarine and Slide and Splash and visiting the west coast beaches. There's so much to do in the area but we enjoyed our days hanging out at the villa just as much and made the most of the space, the pools and the view. Thank you so much Nigel and Bev - we would love to return.

★★★★★ Brilliant place to stay
This villa is awesome, beautifully appointed and has everything you need. The pool area is lovely with views down to Portimao. Communication from Nigel was exceptional, especially with the Co-vid situation when we had to change our booking. The restaurant at the top of the hill is excellent but was busy so worth booking the day before to get a table on the terrace. We went to Alvor beach late in the afternoon so it was a bit cooler and less busy, plenty of parking and easy access to the beach. The road down to the villa is a bit steep but after the first time you get used to it. Brilliant place to stay.

★★★★★ Breath-taking piece of Portugal
We returned from our second time stay at this beautiful Villa. The villa is situated in a breath-taking piece of Portugal. From every window you feel yourself a part of a painting. Furthermore, it is very well decorated, and the garden and pool make every breakfast, lunch dinner a feast. We enjoyed our time in this gated villa, highly recommend it to anyone planning a vacation to this beautiful country. We certainly will be back in the near future.

★★★★★ The villa vastly exceeded our expectations!
We have just returned from a four week stay at Villa Vida Nova and will start by stating that the villa vastly exceeded our expectations. The villa is extremely well decorated with high end furnishings and the amenities were endless. The housekeeper, gardener and pool maintenance was exceptional as well. The villa has an unobstructed southern exposure which provided a view of the sea plus full sun from sunrise to sunset. This provided for poolside breakfasts and dinner on a regular basis. The orange and lemons grown on the property were better than we have tasted back in Canada. The restaurants in close proximity to the villa are top notch however our favorite turned out to be A Rampa which we dined at on a number of occasions. Thanks to Nigel for recommending the different restaurants based on his personal experience. Due to the pandemic we were forced to reschedule our vacation in Portugal on three occasions and on every occasion Nigel was more then willing to understand and accommodate. We found the Portuguese people to be not only friendly but willing to assist us in a variety of different ways. Suffice it to say, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in this gated villa and highly recommend it to anyone planning a vacation to this beautiful country.

★★★★★ Would we return to this villa? Hell, yes!
Positive:
- the view is AMAZING: you can really see the sea from there and in the night you see the sparkling lights of Portimao
- the villa is very well maintained, well equipped and spacious
- the beds are most comfortable
- the pool is beautiful and very clean
- the garden around the house is nicely designed and maintained
- what you see is what you get: the pictures depict what it really looks like
- everything was in excellent condition (from bathroom to kitchen to TVs)
- did I mention that the view is amazing? ;-)

Negative:
- that we had to leave at the end of the week

Would we return to this villa? Hell, yes!

★★★★★ Amazing views from every room!
We had two weeks at this amazing villa with our two boys (age 9 and 12).
Communication from Nigel was excellent. It was in a very tranquil area with amazing views from every room in the villa. We also enjoyed an amazing meal and sundowners at Alecrim the gastro bus at the top of mount Foia.

★★★★★ Well, where to start ?
We have been visiting Ferragudo for 12 years now but decided to go half an hour inland for a change, oh we are so glad.
Fabulous villa, attention to detail second to none.
No disrespect to the owners but the images online do NOT do it justice at all, absolutely stunning views everywhere.
Cannot really find fault to be honest, staff so helpful, communication with the owner from start to finish seamless.
Local restaurants are great Casa Vintage Tapas in town was our particular favourite but didn't have a bad meal anywhere.
So quiet and tranquil, will definitely be returning.
Thank you so much.

★★★★★ Devastated!

That was how we felt on leaving this amazing villa and its views. We spent 2 weeks at Villa Vida Nova in July 2020 and we could not have been more content. The villa has been decorated to a high standard and we had everything we needed. We used the pool several times a day and it was wonderful. There is an abundance of things to look at – huge, beautiful butterflies gliding around, swallows, swifts and martins taking the odd, sneaky drink from the pool and geckos taking advantage of nightfall to snack on small bugs. The stars at night were breath taking.

A bonus was the lack of mosquitos and we were not bitten once.

The cleaner took covid safe precautions which meant that we could fully relax and we did!

We visited some wonderful restaurants in Monchique (our favourite was Luar da Fóia) all of which required masks when not seated and distance between tables. We also explored the west coast which has some of the most amazing cliffs and beaches.

A car was essential for us to enjoy the area. The area is hilly but we wouldn’t have had the fantastic views without it.

The only negative is that the figs on the huge fig tree were sadly not ripe when we were there!

If you are debating whether to book a holiday here, we can only say you won’t regret it if you do.

★★★★★ Very comfortable and well appointed villa!
We spent a week in November in this very comfortable and well appointed villa. The rooms were spacious and had everything you needed for a relaxing time.

The location on the hillside gives you great views which we also enjoyed on some lovely walks in the area. Going up to Foia (including the interesting local craft market at the top), Picota and also the hills above the old Convento was just what we were looking for. The old Convento above the town of Monchique is worth a visit in itself. See the Tripadvisor reviews.

The villa was very clean and well managed. The local manager and cleaner do an excellent job. Nigel was also very helpful with local tips and suggestions. We walked up to O Luar da Foia restaurant three times for their amazing local food! Intermarche also had everything we needed for our hikes and dinners in the villa. Casa Vintage in town was also very nice.

All in all, an excellent and high quality base from which to explore the Algarve, especially if you want to do some hiking.

★★★★★ We spent a week in Villa Vida Nova at the beginning of October and had an overall fantastic experience.

The first thing that you immediately notice upon entering the villa are the spectacular views from every window, balcony, pool area and really just any place. They are truly breathtaking and we enjoyed them immensely during all of our stay.

Villa Vida Nova is uniquely well-located – it's a quiet spot with just a few houses nearby, and yet it's a very short (5-10 minutes) drive to all the amenities of the Monchique town, most importantly the Intermarche. As Nigel noted, the Intermarche is indeed well-stocked – we never had to visit any other supermarket. There is a wide selection of wines, fresh meat for the grill, local cheeses, sausages, olives etc. You can also walk up the road to a couple of restaurants, and the beaches are about a 30-40 minutes drive away.

We loved the design of the villa: the rooms are spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that let in a lot of light and fresh air. There is plenty of space for a big group of people, and still we as a couple felt cozy there. All the furniture and appliances are of high quality and in great condition. There is a large variety of cutlery, dishes, glassware etc, for anything you might need.

It's the perfect place to relax and enjoy everything Portugal has to offer!

★★★★★ Ideally situated for peace, seclusion and adventures!
From booking to arrival, communication with Nigel was seamless and although we arrived slightly earlier than anticipated, we were welcomed by the maid and her son who were charming.
The villa and garden are beautiful, complemented by a pleasant view down to the coast. Ideally situated for peace, seclusion and adventures; we enjoyed a wonderful week exploring Western Portugal and also time in and around the pool. There is much to see and do in the surrounding area, an abundance of restaurants and beautiful beaches to explore. The sunrises and sunsets are not to be missed, preferably enjoyed on one of the balconies with a coffee or drink in hand. As dog owners, we welcomed the attention of the adorable black lab living next door, who was very friendly and often came to the gate to greet us. However, as Nigel rightly advises, do not encourage the local cat; he was quite persistent, even biting my husbands ankle!
Having stayed in many villas, we were impressed by the attention to detail in both the indoor and outdoor space. Our only gripe was the air con unit in the main bedroom but, having mentioned this to Nigel, it is being attended to. Overall, a fabulous week in a wonderful villa, to which I’m sure we will be returning in the very near future.
Owners Reply: Thank you for your lovely review, Bev and I are thrilled that you had such a good time there, despite the cat encounter. Our airco technician found a huge wasps nest in the outside condenser so it is up and running again. We hope it will not be too long before you return. Again many thanks for choosing to stay at Villa Vida Nova.

★★★★★ Beautiful Spot!
Stayed here recently as a family and it has to be said this is a wonderful place to holiday. The Villa itself oozes quality and was a perfect place to unwind. The infinity pool and views to the coast are superb - and for us the walk into town was a good leg stretch as we attempted to burn off some of the calories. The area is blessed with nice restaurants to eat out and with scenic views to savour. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and as the Villa is so well equipped and serviced we wanted for nothing. Thanks Nigel (and Mrs Nigel) for having us!

★★★★★ Beautiful and well equipped!
We had a fantastic week Villa Vida Nova. The house is beautiful and well equipped. The outside dining area with bbq is great. The most used feature for our week was the villas fabulous infinity pool, the kids really made good use of it. Highly recommend it. 5 stars

★★★★★ Villa Vida Nova is one of the finest villa's we've had the privilege of staying at.

We always thoroughly research the location of holiday villas before booking but I can save future guests the trouble; it is in a beautifully peaceful setting with wonderful views which are as impressive as the photo's suggest.

The villa was spotlessly clean and well equipped with everything you could possibly need, it's very clear that a lot of thought & care has gone into it by the owners who were lovely to deal with & made booking exceptionally straightforward. We booked a last minute break & from the initial email enquiry to receiving directions and key instructions took no more than a couple of hours from start to finish.

I'm sure we will be back when we next visit the area as I don't think we'll find any other villa that offers the same standard of accommodation for the price. Thanks once again for a superb holiday!

★★★★★
It is difficult to add to all the positive comments that have been made, which are all fully applicable and with which we concur.
By way of trying to say something different, the things that impressed us was the energy and enthusiasm that Nigel and Beverly have devoted to their villa, and to their honesty about the place, all detailed in the website, which makes it a delightful change to go into a place with no hidden nasties. To paraphrase a famous advert which ran in the UK some years back 'it does what it says on the tin'.

★★★★★ 5 Star Villa!
This is a fantastic villa. Everything about the villa is first class - location, setting, views, and facilities were all flawless.
I cannot recommend this highly enough.
I've rented holiday properties for many years. This villa beats them all - outstanding in every way.

★★★★★ Absolutely Fabulous
Complimentary wine on arrival what a nice surprise, travelling with a toddler we needed it! The villa is superbly appointed with every detail and a lot of thought has gone into making it very special it is so well designed with nice touches everywhere. Hubby loves to BBQ so he was in his element and I love to sit with a glass of wine and watch him. We spent most of the time at the villa around the pool and only ventured out to the shops and town a few times for lunch and to buy groceries. The gardens are lovely, we had oranges and fresh figs from the garden and lemons for the grilled fish. The wifi was excellent so we could keep in touch with home and there is a TV in every room so whilst hubby watched sport I could watch more interesting things. All in all a very relaxing holiday we would recommend this villa to any one it really is first class, we were quite sorry to have to leave. We will book again for sure.

★★★★★ Unbeatable value for an upmarket villa
We stayed two weeks with our two teenage boys and Granny. Had a super time, the villa was perfect in every way, the beds very comfortable and linen and towels top notch. The lounge is well furnished and we used our Netflix account on the TV though there was a good selection of English programs as well. The kitchen is well equipped and the outside entertainment area was used every day. 
The views from the villa are quite something, literally, from every window and we sat out late at night watching the sparkling lights along the coast. The kids were in the pool for hours at a time even Granny went in. The kids made friends with the neighbours black lab Duke. We had several barbecues and ate at some of the restaurants that the owner recommended, all were very reasonable with good food, friendly service, it was nice that we were not rushed, very relaxing, our favourite was the wild boar and an black pork, the kids loved the chicken piri piri, Granny liked the fresh fish.
We spent quite a few days visiting some of the west coast beaches, Arifana was the best for body boarding but all of them are unspoiled and not too crowded. We spent a day in Lagos which is a very nice town with a lovely marina that do all kinds of boat trips.
All in all the villa was very good value for the excellent quality provided and so we have decided to come back next year. We would certainly recommend this villa for any one wanting a quality holiday at a very reasonable price. Well done Nigel

★★★★★ Paradise at last
We have rented villas on the coast of the Algarve for many years but have grown weary of the traffic, crowds and being overcharged in restaurants for mediocre food. So we tried Monchique, what a revelation! 
We found Villa Vida Nova on the internet and discovered the cleanest and best equipped villa we have ever rented. The views are spectacular and the location very convenient for everything. There are dozens of quality restaurants serving dishes we never new existed at prices half those on the coast. The town is cute with quaint shops and cafe's, unpretentious, there is an honesty about Monchique, the people are friendly and the place feels safe.
We explored superb beaches on the west coast and found country roads which took us to villages, Alferce and Marmelete come to mind and the same integrity was found there. We are sorry that we did not discover Monchique years ago. We booked the villa with Nigel who gave us vouchers for discounts at several restaurants, he also advised us on getting a great deal on renting a car. Monchique and Vida Nova are going to become our first choice for our holidays from now on.

★★★★★ November Vacation
Villa Vida Nova certainly is a beautiful, scenic home away from home. Nigel and his staff have looked after everything before and during our stay. We so enjoyed sitting by the pool on the dry days (not brave enough to get in the pool though) and take in the amazing views of the mountains and distant coast. The grocery store is only a couple minutes away as well as many fine restaurants and gift shops. Thank you again for making our first stay in Portugal a memorable one.

★★★★★ A Perfect Place to Relax.
It's a beautiful and spacious villa in beautiful hilly surroundings with a great view towards the ocean. The indoors of the villa, the outdoor area and the pool are all very clean and tidy and very well maintained and looked after. It's a perfect place to relax. The owner provided excellent information about the villa and many tips for restaurants and sightseeing trips via e-mail and was very quick to reply to our inquiries in a friendly and professional way. We can only recommend staying at this villa.

★★★★★ Entspannende und luxuriöse Ferien sehr empfehlen!
Die Villa Nova ist ein sehr geschmackvoll und umfassend eingerichtetes komfortables und großzügiges Ferienhaus in einer bezaubernden Natur. Die Aussicht ist grandios, der InfinityPool ein Genuss. Der Vermieter ist ungemein hilfsbereit und unterstützend und jederzeit ansprechbar. Er gibt Tipps für Ausflüge und Vergünstigungen für Restaurants vor Ort und bemüht sich, seinen Gästen die Ferien so angenehm wie möglich zu machen. Wir haben unseren Aufenthalt sehr genossen und können die Villa für entspannende und luxuriöse Ferien sehr empfehlen.

★★★★★ Wonderful week.
06/10/18 - 13/10/18
Having just returned from our fourth visit at Villa Vida Nova, we cannot recommend it enough. Like always, the villa was presented in pristine condition on our arrival. The quality of the villa and it’s facilities are definitely 5 star. The outside views from this villa are exceptional, the scenery being an absolute joy to wake up to each morning. Villa Vida Nova is outstanding and the perfect place to unwind.
We would like to thank Nigel once again for another wonderful stay.

★★★★★ We loved it!
What a beautiful villa, with an absolutely breathtaking view - we loved it. The villa itself is large and spacious and the terraces and swimming pool are perfect morning, afternoon and night. There is everything you could want for a wonderful stay in a beautiful location. Nigel was incredibly responsive, helpful and easy to deal with. We cannot recommend the whole experience more highly and eating fresh figs from the tree every day was an added joy!

★★★★★ .....thoroughly recommend this villa to anyone wanting a luxurious stay!
We had a fantastic stay at Villa Vida Nova in early September 2018, which was after the recent serious forest fire in the Monchique area. We had expected to see a lot of fire damage and there was extensive blackening of some of the hillsides in the district but the villa itself was untouched and the air still smelt fresh and fragrant from the flowers and herbs in the villa's lovely garden. The Portuguese authorities have done a great job to restore life to normal and green shoots are already starting to reappear on some of the burnt trees. Restaurants and supermarkets in the area were all operating normally.
The villa itself was exactly as described on this website, beautifully equipped and homely. It was like staying at a friend's house rather than a typical holiday accommodation. The weather was perfect with warm sunny days and cool evenings. No airconditioning or fleeces required at this time of year.
You may find it difficult to tear yourselves away from the villa's gorgeous infinity pool but if you do you find plenty to do nearby. We found it easy to tour Western Algarve from Monchique, whether it be the wild and blustery beaches of the West Coast or the popular resort towns and beaches to the south.
We would thoroughly recommend this villa to anyone wanting a luxurious stay away from the crowds.

★★★★★ A thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing holiday!
We have just returned from a week at Villa Vida Nova. We are a family of 4 (children 10 and 12) and we loved the peace and tranquility of the villa.
For a 3 bedroom villa, the house and grounds are very big. There is a real sense of space and peace and yet Monchique is only a 2 min drive away. The views are fantastic and the advice and help provided by Nigel were excellent.
The beds were comfortable and the air conditioning units were very quiet, which is not always the case.
A thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing holiday.

★★★★★ Highly Recommended!
Our second time to stay at Villa Vida Nova and as before it was excellent. The owners provided everything we needed and have added several smart TVs and a Bluetooth speaker, new for this year. Everything in the villa is to a very high standard of top quality and sparkling clean. The pool was warm so we swam almost every day and had a BBQ on a few days. I would recommend this villa to any one wanting upmarket accommodation at very reasonable prices. Nigel supplied discount vouchers for several restaurants 10% off the whole bill including drinks is pretty good and also for the spa. Typical of the attention to detail that Nigel provides. Faultless. We plan to return next year too. It is such a lovely place, secure, private and close to everything we needed.
Monchique is a lovely town with several cafes in the square and many first class restaurants serving some amazing traditional dishes at very reasonable prices. The views are spectacular and the local people friendly. Monchique is a great place to explore from, we made many day trips to some great beaches on both the west and south coasts. We also played golf just down the road at Morgados. Under an hour from the airport and away from the tiresome tourist spots. You won't find a better place for a vacation.

★★★★★ Lovely villa with fantastic views of the mountains.
Excellent seating areas and sunny terraces. This is an ideal holiday villa for, in my view, three couples who are looking for a real hideaway, peace and quiet and a pool. We swam, cooked, read and enjoyed the stunning views. There are a few local restaurants in walking distance (if you can manage the hills) who mainly cater for the locals. This did not feel “touristy” in any way. Monchique itself was a bit disappointing, but then this is a working town, not really a tourist resort so don’t go there expecting picturesque coffee and gift shops. I imagine this area is great for walking, although as we went in July it was a bit hot for that for us. Having said that, being in the mountains meant there was always a slight breeze, evenings could even be a little cool - but that suited us! Nigel the owner was extremely attentive about answering questions and provides a lot of info about the villa and the local area.

★★★★★ A True Home from Home!
We stayed here for the first two weeks of July and what a stay!! It truly has spoiled us for all other holidays, to the extent we have every intention of returning. The Villa Vida Nova is simply beautiful. A true Home from Home every eventuality has been catered for. We enjoyed balmy bbqs in the outdoor kitchen to snug comfortable family games on windy nights in the very comfortable lounge. The bedrooms and bathrooms are so comfortable with large beds and air conditioning should you need it. However the “piece de resistance” is the view from the glorious infinity pool and terrace. I would recommend this stay to everyone as the hosts are so helpful and Ercilia is such a lovely Portuguese lady who keeps the Villa spotless. I do have one suggestion don’t hire the basic engine car as the climb to the Villa is a lot more pleasant in a car that doesn’t struggle, but it is the climb and the position of the Villa that gives you the views and the star filled nights with limited light pollution as well as the really clear air. Bon Voyage you will have a good one if you choose Villa Vida Nova.

★★★★★ Stunning Views from the Infinity Pool
This isn't the 1st time we have stayed here and despite the uncharacteristic showers midweek, we had a fantastic week again. Nigel resolved a minor problem with the air-con in no time. I can't fault the service from booking through to getting home. The villa has 3 well appointed bedrooms, 2 with their own balconies that take advantage of the views. The built in bbq got used quite a lot, and leisurely lunches in the shaded outdoor seating area were great. Lots of wine and salads with fish/chicken! There is a supermarket within 5 minutes drive that stocks all basics. The town of Monchique is within walking distance but I suspect that during warmer months this would be better suited to a short car journey to the hill at the top of the road before walking down to the town. There are a lot of very good, well priced restaurants in walking distance/short drive. Our favourite is on the way down towards Caldas de Monchique (5 mins drive)...Cafe Imperio. It is nothing to look at and easy to miss but the Piri Piri chicken is great (locals and expats seem to frequent which is a good sign) and at 15 Euros a head for 3 courses including wine/beer...what more do you want?! I am normally not one to go somewhere twice, there is a lot of world to see! That said, this is the second time we have been here and it is quickly becoming our destination of choice for our week of relaxation once a year!

★★★★★ Alles Sehr Empfehlenswert!
Alles sehr empfehlenswert, sauber und gepflegt, gut beschrieben, gut eingerichtet, zuverlässiger Handtuchwechsel, sogar Bäder sauber gemacht, alle sehr erfreulich!”

★★★★★ Fantastic Stay
Five Star Villa. We had a fantastic stay - beautiful surroundings, top class communication from Nigel & Bev and immaculate villa. If you’re looking for excellence, relaxation & breath taking views this is the place to stay! We had three children with us and they loved it too! Thanks again Nigel & Bev :)

★★★★★ Lovely Villa and Perfect Location
Stayed here a week and sorry to have to go home. Cannot fault this villa and we have stayed in many far more expensive places. Extremely good value. Superbly appointed, clean and comfortable. The owners have done a great job in creating this lovely holiday home. A very peaceful, safe, private and sunny location with breathtaking views of the coast. Pool was warmer than I expected for March. The villa is everything if not more than what the website portrays. We have booked again for September, thank you Nigel

★★★★★ Most Enjoyable
First time to Portugal and it was jolly good. The owners provided everything we needed and more including cot and high chair, everything in the villa is to a very high standard of good quality and sparkling clean. The pool was warm so we swam almost every day and had a bbq on a few days. I would recommend this villa to any one wanting upmarket accommodation at very reasonable prices. We plan to return in the not too distant future.

★★★★★ Wonderful, a brilliant holiday location!
Great holiday. We had 2 weeks at Villa Vida Nova. The villa had everything we needed - a fantastic location, plenty of space, tranquility, and hot sunshine. The villa was very well equipped, including everything you could need in the kitchen for cooking. It was very clean, and included a complete clean at the end of our first week and towel and bed change mid week.
We are a family of 4 with 2 teenagers, so 3 bedrooms was perfect. We rented a car at Faro and used it a lot to visit beaches - mainly west coast quieter beaches. Amoreira was great as it had both a river and beach with waves. Arrifana was our learning-to-surf and belly-boarding beach.
We had a number of lazy days at the villa in the pool, and many barbecues.
Although we speak a reasonable amount of Portuguese, we rarely needed it as most places that cater to tourists speak English.
We are keen cyclists and rented bikes twice from Musette.bike - great service and they provide a range of bikes. There were loads of cyclists going up the hill to Foia, but unfortunately we didn't manage this as we couldn't transport bikes on the car and it would have been too long a day in the heat to drive to the hire location then cycle up and down. They do deliver bikes for 3+day rentals, but we didn't need that long.
As well as the restaurant at the top of the drive, we enjoyed A Tasca just above the harbour in Sagres. Our second visit didn't work out though as when we arrived for Wednesday lunch we found that was their closed day!
Can definitely recommend - everything was great and Nigel was very helpful with advice etc., as well as providing a brilliant holiday location.
Review Submitted: 19 Aug 2017 | Stayed: July 2017

★★★★★ An excellent villa and highly recommended!
We had a lovely week at Villa Vida Nova in boiling unseasonably high temperatures, 37-39 degrees which was unexpected! The villa is very comfortable, well equipped, has very good cooking facilities and first class comfortable beds. In the high temperatures the villa's air conditioning was very welcome. We visited the west coast, Arrifana has an excellent cliff top restaurant and the local restaurants O Luar Foia and Jardim das Oliveiras provided splendid meals. Our large car negotiated the bend down to the villa ok, a 3 point turn to get round, care needed. Overall an excellent villa and highly recommended.

★★★★★ Only disappointment was that we were only there for a week.
We stayed at Villa Nova in June with our friends and had the most wonderful time. The villa is like a home from home and equipped with all you need and is spotlessly clean. All the tips from Nigel on where to go to dine are excellent as well as local places of interest. We loved star gazing by the pool at night with a glass of wine or two! Our only disappointment was that we were only there for a week.

★★★★★ Awe inspiring location!
We had an absolutely wonderful time at this beautiful villa in an awe inspiring location! Monchique is a real 'hidden gem'.
Nigel could not have been more helpful in booking and the advice to make the most out of our time on arrival in the helpful 'guides' he's written really made the holiday!
Would not hesitate to recommend or book again!

★★★★★ Beautiful Property!
Beautiful property with stunning view. One of the most relaxing weeks we have had in a long time. Villa had very thing we needed.

★★★★★ Friendly shops, cafes and restaurants.
A very high quality property with spectacular views. The pictures and descriptions on the website are very accurate
Monchique is a nice little place with friendly shops, cafes and restaurants, also plenty of walking and cycling routes if you want them
45 min drive to west coast and 30 min to Portimao
No hesitation to go again
July 2017

★★★★★ Wonderful villa in stunning location"
This is the third time that our family have visited Villa Vida Nova and it impresses us more each time. The spacious, light filled villa is beautifully furnished and has all the amenities expected in a luxury home.The relaxing outside space is both practical and functional with the immaculate infinity pool providing a welcome refreshing dip. The barbecue and covered seating areas are well appointed giving amazing views of the surrounding valley and down to the coast. This wonderful villa truly gives you the opportunity to relax away from it all and also the base to explore the treasures of the Algarve.

★★★★★ You won't be disappointed, we couldn't believe our luck!
We have just returned from a fantastic stay at Villa Vida Nova. What a stunning location and a beautiful villa. As has been commented in other reviews there is everything you could possibly need and more. Four of us have visited Portugal many times before, staying in hotels and villas on the coast but none of them match up to the accommodation or location of Nigel and Bev's property, for us it was ideal, remote enough to be private but with facilities within walking distance if we wanted, otherwise only a short drive away. Our holiday was purely for 3 siblings to relax by the pool while two "husbands of" went off to play a couple of rounds of golf. What a pool to relax by - the spectacular view down the valley, watching the swifts, swallows, house martins, buzzards, etc. We had a scorcher of a week with regards to temperatures and the air conditioning came in handy for our last two evenings. If you are considering booking this villa, do it - you won't be disappointed, we couldn't believe our luck - I do a lot of research before picking a holiday home and even I was shocked at how lovely it was.

★★★★★ Wonderful, comfortable, quiet and the view is fantastic!
We had a great 3 weeks holiday at Villa Vida Nova with all kind of weather: one week of winter, one of spring and the last one of nearly summer, so we had a swim in the chilly pool.
The house is wonderful: comfortable, quiet and the view is fantastic.
We did a lot of walking around Monchique including Foia and Picota, visited Caldas de Monchique and walked the coastline from Carvoeiro to the lighthouse.
We most liked the West with its rugged coast and walked the fisherman's way in different parts.
We're sure we'll come back.
M S, Germany, March 2017

★★★★★ Beautiful house and pool, perfectly maintained, in a private setting with stunning views
My wife and I stayed at Villa Vida Nova with another couple during the last week of September 2016. The villa met all of our expectations and is accurately represented by the photos on the website -- a spacious home, furnished to a high standard, perfectly maintained; a beautiful pool, fully functional BBQ, comfortable outdoor eating areas and stunning views. Easy access to the Algarve coastal towns and beaches but a welcome respite from the busy tourist centers. Weather in the mid-80s (F). Nigel was responsive and helpful. Perfect.

★★★★★ Wonderful Villa in Peaceful Location!
This is a very well-designed attractive villa. There is great attention to detail in both the furnishings and layout. We were both impressed by the tasteful decorative touches from the dried flowers to tile mosaics on the walls. An example of the design is the large built in closets in the upstairs bedrooms. I have never stayed in a rental with as much closet and drawer space. The property was extremely clean and well-maintained. The beds were all comfortable. The villa is spacious both in the grounds and inside. Where some may have been tempted to have 4 or 5 bedrooms, the 3 good sized bedroom and large living areas given a certain dignity and sense of spaciousness. The kitchen was well equipped as far as pots and pans, dishes and cutlery. The appliances all worked. Note - there is a clothes drying rack but no clothes dryer as such, to go with the washer. There was a beautiful view of the valley from this hillside location from both inside the villa and the outside terraces and pool deck. When it is clear, one can see Portimao and the ocean on the horizon, about 20km away. There is a neighbour to the east side that is fairly close to the villa, but they kept to themselves. The west side of the house and around the pool deck is very private. The villa is set well back from the road down a steep driveway. The location gives a sense of peacefulness. We walked into the pleasant town of Monchique a few times and also ate at the nice restaurant at the top of the driveway - the O Luar da Foia, rated highly in Tripadvisor. You need to be reasonably fit given the road is steep. Monchique has a large modern InterMarche supermarket and some smaller grocery stores and butcher shops. There are also a number of pleasant cafes. There is a large shopping mall in Portimao. A car is recommended. If you have one, the villa makes a good base for exploring the region. The west coast is about 45 min away by secondary road, while Portimao and the A22 main tollway is about 20min south. We went as far as Odeceixe in the north west. Despite the weather during or stay in late Oct, we were able to use the pool a bit when the sun was shining brightly. It is not heated and was cool by that time of year, especially since we had some unusual cloudy days and rain. We would not hesitate to rent from Nigel again. He was easy to deal with and extremely responsive to any questions. Given its high quality, the villa is a real bargain in the low and shoulder season. Highly recommend it.

★★★★★ An amazing, beautiful holiday spot
This is one of the best holiday spots we have ever been in - few compares to it! The villa is beautiful, very luxurious and spacious. It was very clean and in an awesome shape both in and outside – perfect service done by the owners and their local staff. 
Our hosts have been very welcoming and attentive – from the booking to preparing the trip to quickly taking care of a special request during our stay – a very professional service. It literally was like staying in a nice hotel. 
The kids enjoyed the pool and spent ages in it – the grown ups loved the trips to the amazing local restaurants – all cherished the beautiful beaches and the countryside.
Monchique is an excellent place to explore the Algarve with good distance to South and Westcoast, historic villages and the Sierra.
We look forward to visit again!

★★★★★ High end accommodation with the most stunning views!
From the initial booking to the refund of the deposit this experience cannot be faulted. Nigel, the owner, is a pleasure to do business with. The villa is stunning and very well equipped. The small touches from the pre arrival email, including an overview of the local area and tips on local beaches and restaurants, to the welcome note accompanied by 2 bottles of wine was much much appreciated and indicative of the attention to detail.
We arrived a little early and the villa was still being cleaned but we were shown around by a most delightful and friendly lady who made us feel very welcome.
We were a party of 4, 2 couples. There was more than enough room and the layout of the villa, master bedrooms on opposite sides of the villa, with a private balcony off each bedroom allowed for privacy if required.
I would not hesitate to recommend this villa to anyone wanting high end accommodation with the most stunning views you could possibly imagine.

★★★★★ Easily the best villa we have visited, highly recommended!
We had a fabulous holiday at Villa Vida Nova earlier this year, the villa exceeded our expectations with beautiful gardens and stunning views. Inside the villa was very spacious and modern, equipped with everything you need. Great customer service from Nigel who made the booking process easy and supplied loads of useful information. Easily the best villa we have visited, highly recommended.

★★★★★ Very special and it won our hearts!
Vida Nova, " a new life", that's what we had during our 2 week holiday, a very well appointed villa with excellent pool and a patio area with far reaching views. Nigel's directions to the villa were accurate, we found it straight away and no problems taking our 9 seater minibus to the large parking area. Everything in the villa was easy to use with plenty of information on hand. You can opt to chill at the villa or go site seeing locally, we did both and our 2 weeks passed far too quickly. We found everyone very friendly and became fond of the cleaner who never stopped working on her visits, excellent. We had a couple of BBQs but enjoyed all the restaurants more so they "won", they are all very reasonably priced, the one at the "top of the hill" was our favourite. I fed the fish as suggested in the info pack and by the end of the first week they were coming up to say "hello" or "bom dia" of course !!! We found the villa and the area very special and it won our hearts, we have no hesitation in recommending Villa Vida Nova. Happy holidays to any future guests. Pete Sue Don Vron Ian and Andrea

★★★★★ Great holiday for relaxing with beautiful views!
We had a fantastic holiday at villa vida nova. From initial inquiry to booking and through until after your stay, Nigel's communication is great. He responds very promptly and was happy to answer my numerous questions. The villa itself is beautiful and very well appointed. There is everything you need for self catering but also great restaurants close by ( you could walk but we were too lazy to climb the steep drive but it's a 2 minute drive). The bbq and outside dining area are great. The pool is refreshing in 30 degree heat and the views are to die for! The best pool we have ever had. We took our 9 month old and a cot and highchair were provided. I would have felt anxious having a young waddling toddler at the villa due to the steps and easy access to the pool so kept a watchful eye.
Overall a great holiday for relaxing with beautiful views.

★★★★★ Awesome Coastal Views, Amazing Pool, Luxurious, Tranquil, Private, Very Special!
Beautiful Monchique.
We recently stayed in Villa Vida Nova. A fantastic holiday home established in a very beautifull area, Our booking was made quite short in advance but with the fantastic help of Nigel & Bev everything was perfectly arranged. After confirming our booking we received an extensive welcome information pack. Literally all the details that you need for the holiday can be found in there. We arrived via Lisbon airport which could be used as an alternative for Faro, since the drive towards Monchique is very pleasant and also well worth. Upon arrival at the Villa our kids couldn't wait to get into the pool although the temperatures were a bit chilly in the beginning. In the second week though we had fantastic weather with 25 degrees. Not bad for April. We visited too many places to mention all here but well worth in our point of view is: Lagos & Tavira. Also boat trip out of Benagil to visit the caves is spectacular. Zoo Marine is a great day out for the kids as well. The Beaches in Portimao are huge with plenty of seafood restaurants.

We can really recommend Villa Vida Nova. Its an amazing house with 3 large bedrooms and a spacious living room and big kitchen. The Pool is a bit chilly in April but with temperatures going up to 30C in July & August that shouldn't be a problem in the high season. On the warmer days we enjoyed the BBQ at the veranda and great views (you can see all the way to Portimao!). The Algarve is very pretty and has enough to offer to enjoy yourselfs for a nice Holiday. At least we regreted that we had to leave again after 3 weeks and will miss the Villa and Monchique very much!
Liefting Family, (Netherlands)

★★★★★ Great customer service!
This is a wonderful place to stay. The rooms are fabulously appointed with everything that you could possibly want during your stay. The infinity pool is great and the views down to the Algarve coast are tremendous. Monchique is a charming little town and the local restaurants are superb. Nigel made sure that all aspects of our stay were covered with great customer service before and during our holiday. We can't wait to return! Highly recommended.

★★★★★ Just Perfect
We arrived at the villa to a very friendly Portuguese welcome by the next door neighbour & his dog. The views from the villa were amazing, looking out over the valley below & the coast line. The villa itself is very comfortably furnished & is very much a home from home. This is not a typical holiday let.. It has been equipped to be a home. There is plenty of crockery, pans & cutlery. Hubby loved the bbq and covets one like it at home. Fresh orange juice will never be the same again! There was a plentiful supply of oranges on the trees & an electric juicer for making the best juice we have ever had. The only downside to this was the fruit flies that seemed to come in to the villa when the sun went off it. We sussed that if we shut the downstairs doors & windows before the sun disappeared it stopped them. (Small price to pay for the best oranges we have ever eaten/drunk). The town of Monchique is within walking distance & took us approx half an hour at a steady pace on a hot day (there is a hill to walk up from the villa before reaching the main road). The drive to the Town takes approx 5 minutes. The InterMarche supermarket had everything we needed including fantastic meat & fish. If you like the beach then Alvor is approx 35 mins drive away (no toll charges on the motorway). The beach is extremely clean & spacious & from June has life guards stationed all the way along it. Albufeira is approx 50 mins drive but toll charges are applicable. All in all a wonderful, relaxing holiday was had by us both in this lovely villa. Could have done another two weeks on top of the two we had.

★★★★★ Amazing Villa with Amazing Views
We had a wonderful holiday at this beautiful villa. The property, pool and surroundings are simply stunning and in a very peaceful and private setting. The villa is very comfortable and well equipped. The directory is well worth reading and gives lots of useful information about places to visit and places to eat. We visited Caldas de Monchique which is just a few miles away and worth a visit. We had lunch at the 1692 restaurant, the food was delicious and we returned a couple of days later for an evening meal which we also enjoyed. We can also enjoyed the food at Foz de Banho which is on the Portimao road just past the entrance to Caldas de Monchique and can thoroughly recommend the fish cataplana, minimum 2 people, has to be the best fish dish ever! The O Luar da Foia restaurant at the top of the road from the villa is also very good. Be warned, the portions are huge, the wild boar stew is very good and will feed at least 3 people. The prices in all of these restaurants are very reasonable. In fact we did not have a bad meal while we were there. I can recommend this villa without hesitation and look forward to returning, hopefully next year.

★★★★★ Magnificent views and an extremely well appointed villa.
I booked the villa for a two week Easter break with my husband, children (aged two and four) and grandmother. It was school holidays and I found the rental price extremely good value for money with this in mind. Nigel was extremely helpful in booking and the information provided pre holiday was extremely helpful. On arrival the villa was more stunning than the photos!! extremely well appointed in the most idyllic grounds. The views are magnificent and the villa itself is spacious with a great outdoor space and fantastic infinity pool. I can honesty think of no area for improvement! The area of Monchique was very picturesque with many good restaurants, our favourite being Jardim das Oliveiras only five minutes drive away from the villa. It was a 1 hour drive to the zoo marine park which was a huge hit with the kids - so much so we returned for a second day. There is a well stocked supermarket in the centre of Monchique - perfect for bbq supplies! I would highly recommend this property including Nigel the owner .

★★★★★ Best choice ever!
We have had rental villas in Portugal before, last year we tried a villa for rent on the coast and decided that the coastal area was not for us. Then we found Villa Vida Nova when searching the internet and it seemed to be the perfect villa so we booked. Best choice ever. The website does not do it justice. Everything about this villa is top class, the furniture is excellent quality not what you usually find in rentals in Portugal or anywhere for that matter. We enjoyed the outdoors just as much with lots of seating and sun loungers with plenty of shady spots, we had BBQ most nights and sometimes walked up to the restaurant up the hill.So cheap and excellent food. The location is ideal for exploring and the town is a delight and quirky. We will be back next year with friends. The maid was a delight too, very efficient.

★★★★★ Phenomenal
Villa is phenomenal, weather was incredible, restaurants were beyond words, owner was extremely helpful, and the south of Portugal was the perfect arena for our explorations!

★★★★★ Third time around
This year was the third time we have stayed at this property. Each time for us it seems to get better with each stay.The Villa is in a Beautiful and peaceful location,with great views looking down to the coast.The Villa is extremely comfortable and well equipped,with plenty of outside space to relax and enjoy the sun,with a lovely barbecue dining area.The town of Monchique is only a five minute drive away, it is a very charming typical Portuguese town,with all the shops you need to supplement your stay. We have already booked for next year and we cant recommend this villa highly enough.

★★★★★ Oodles of room
I traveled with my hubby, Mum, Dad and two kids aged 7 and 9. There was oodles of room for all of us and the pool although slightly chilly was great and a good size. The kitchen was well equipped with everything you'll need but there was no cool box so you may want to take a cool bag for trips to the beach. There are beach towels and umbrellas which were very handy. There is a long drive down to the villa with tightish turns.

The nearby restaurants are very traditional and pork is very prolific! The two best are O Luar de Foia and Jardine de Oliverias. The first is at the top of the lane and has amazing outside terraces but can be chilly at night so take a card/hoody. The latter is around 5 mins drive and is great for lunch as its sunny and warm outside and the kids can play on the swings and hammocks while you drink sangria! Its very traditional food here but he is an ex resteraunt worker from the UK who has returned to his roots so the more 'posh' stuff on the menu such as beef stroganoff and crepes suzette are lovely! It again gets chilly at night so indoors eating is better. I would book for both places as it can get really busy.

The supermarket is adequate- you can only get bread fresh here as there is no separate bakery. I have been to Portugal before and prefer the big continente supermarkets but there is one at Portimao nearby. We went to Praia De Luz which was lovely but Alvor is nearer and apparently lovely. To be honest the villa was that good that we stayed by the pool mostly and the kids were occupied by the telly, the pool and the grounds- they aren't keen on the beach. We brought inflatables with us but make sure they are anchored down at night! The BBQ is superb as is the outside eating area which is sheltered from the breeze at night. My husband absolutely loved this place and wants to go back again NOW! The owner was superb with contact etc as i booked direct. Overall you can't fail to love this place its so tranquil and such amazing views you can really leave work behind, thanks Nigel!

Owners edit: 12 volt cool box is now in the utility room, plugs into 12 volt receptacle in your rental car

★★★★★ Villa Vida Nova truly is one of the Algarve's hidden treasures.
This was the second time that our family have stayed at this villa and once again we all had a wonderful time.
Nigel the owner was very attentive during the booking process giving relevant information and recommendations for restaurants and places to visit.
The villa is very comfortable, light and airy and exceptionally well appointed. The views are stunning and can be enjoyed from many points around the house but especially from the magnificent pool area.

★★★★★ Blown-away by this holiday home
Our second visit to Villa Vida Nova (we first visited in September 2013). Having previously visited, and enjoyed this wonderful place we decided to book our honeymoon here. Once again, thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and a perfect relaxing antidote to the 'adrenalin' surrounding our wedding day.
As we've said before, I can't imagine a single reason why anybody would be less than blown-away by this holiday home. Beautiful scenery, lovely infinity pool overlooking it, and a comfortable large villa with all the mod-cons you could wish for.
The town of Monchique, a mile or so away is also a lovely 'traditionally Portuguese' town, and with a fully stocked supermarket, great restaurants (O Luar and Parisio Da Montanha were our favourites, just for their breathtaking scenery), and places to visit such as Foia and Caldas da Monchique, there isn't much you'd be left wanting for.

Thanks to the Villa Vida Nova team for another lovely holiday... (Oh, and we've already booked for next year!)

★★★★★ Monchique is a great place to stay
This was our first trip to the Algarve and what a perfect introduction. We traveled with our 3 children ages 8, 6 and 4 and this house was ideal. There is nothing misleading in the photo's, it really is that beautiful. The rooms are spacious and spotlessly clean. The pool is just wonderful, although we experienced slightly odd weather during the middle of our stay that meant the pool was a bit nippy. The house was cosy on dull days though and we didn't mind one bit heading back some days to spend time indoors. There were lots of lovely little areas also for the children to explore, they loved the lemon trees and the fish pond. We spent an afternoon in Monchique, found some great places for coffee in the square. The Panorama restaurant on the way into Monchique was great, really nice pizza's and salads at very good prices. We can also recommend Bica Boca which served really authentic homemade meals (the owner had a fire on the go as well which went down well!) The local supermarket is reasonably priced and stocked with all the essentials. We had no problems with language either, our pigeon Portuguese was well received but everyone is very helpful. The little local custard tarts are a must. My husband has been living on them, but they are considerably cheaper in the remoter areas (15 cents each in Monchique compared to 1 euro!)

All in all, a wonderful holiday and I must say everyone has been very envious of our holiday photo's! Thanks again Nigel.

★★★★★ Home from Home
We had a really wonderful stay at this villa, the owners have really thought about what is needed by their guests and they succeed in providing their guests with a real home from home with a stunning view.

★★★★★ We had a great time here, highly recommended
The villa is 100% as per the brochure and is a real credit to the owners. Equipped and decorated to a very high standard with a kitchen fully kitted out in every respect. The design and layout is not only aesthetic, but is really practical and comfortable when it comes to privacy and being able to relax.

The town of Monchique is an excellent pivot to venture West or South with both coast lines only 30 minutes drive, but at the same time a safe distance from the hustle of the tourist hot spots. As with anywhere being off the tourist track you do need a car though there are a few low key local attractions. There are cheap rentals in Faro, but if you go BA take advantage of the Avis partnership - eg, Renault Megane for less than 16 pound a day. You don't even need the electronic toll tracker (2 euros per day) and next time we would just drive from Lisbon on the IC roads by-passing most of the tolls.

There are 3 top class restaurants within walking distance, and on a dull day (not many of those) you might well fancy a walk into the centre (20-25 mins). Head on up through the back streets to the convent, which looks down on Monchique.

Everywhere has a local market for fish and veg, but the best we saw was in Aljezur on the way to the great beeches on the west. It depends on the sea, but the day we went we hadn't seen the variety of seafood anywhere else. Odeceixe has a great restaurant just a short distance up the coast from Aljezur in the town. Look out for the 'gypsy'market as there are bargains galore.

And finally, the weather. First 2 weeks in April and it was hot with a light cooling breeze most of the time. We want to keep finding new places to visit, but it will be very hard not to return. The climate and the accommodation is a combination that is really second to none.

★★★★★ All in all a super week
We had such a wonderfully comfortable stay at Villa Vida Nova last week - part of me feels crazy actually giving a review … as i'd like to keep our find a secret only to be shared with a select few.
When we arrived, it was in fact unusually chilly and wet (for the time of year). We contacted the villa manager to ask if we could turn on the heating - there are air con/heater units everywhere but we needed a boost! Within 15 minutes, we received an email from Nigel the owner with detailed instructions of how to switch everything on … we were toasty in no time! :-) … excellent service, thanks again Nigel.
The villa is extremely well appointed and has everything you could want for on a self-catering holiday - even the orange trees were 'full' and the kids enjoyed making fresh juice every morning. The local supermarket is 5 mins drive away and is well stocked. Ercilia, the maid, arrived mid way through our stay with fresh towels and linen - she was lovely! We used our vouchers at the 'famous' Spa and enjoyed an afternoon of indulgence and discounted massages - i'd recommend a visit.
The views from the villa are sensational, the pool was a good size although too cold for us to use at that time of year - it didn't stop the kids having a 'very quick dip' - just so they could say they had!
All in all - a super week … the only downside - it's booked up already for when we are back in the summer!

★★★★★ A fantastic holiday had by all.
We have just returned home from a great holiday at this villa, fantastic views, lovely clean rooms, spotlessly clean pool. A car is a necessity in our opinion we went to the coast most days & had some delicious meals, O Luar at the top of the hill in Monchique was very good. We would have loved to have stayed longer & we will return.

★★★★★ Fantastic Location
The villa is well maintained with beautiful views, it is a fantastic location nestled in the Monchique mountains which is close to amenities but far enough away from the tourist areas to enjoy the real Portugal.

★★★★★ The Property is Stunning
Everything that we had seen on the website prior to booking this holiday villa was a very good representation of what to expect. The property is stunning, with everything you could possibly need for a relaxing stay in the Monchique mountains. The villa is modern and spacious, and we can think of hardly anything that hadn't been thought of.
The outside area is also beautiful, and swimming in the infinity pool while taking in the gorgeous scenery, with views down to the Algarve coast is breathtaking.
We enjoyed eating at the O Luar restaurant, which is a couple of minutes away by car, or about 10 minutes walk up some very steep hills. Lovely food there.
About 5 minutes drive away on the outskirts of Monchique is a very well stocked and modern supermarket, which you'll find most things that you could possibly need.
We also visited the Ochala tea room in the town, which served lovely carrot cake!
Stay here, and you will definitely not be disappointed!

★★★★★ Everything was spot on!
One of the Most Beautiful and well kept villas we have ever stayed in! We had a wonderful holiday here , everything was spot on and very clean. This is not your average rental for sure, the silverware, glassware, furnishings, beds, linen, complimentary wine, pool furniture, were all top notch, we hope to return soon.

★★★★★ Instantly Captivated.
Looking to rent a high-quality yet affordable holiday villa in a quieter part of the Algarve, we stumbled across the website for Villa Vida Nova. Instantly captivated by the lovely photographs and descriptions of the extensive facilities and rural location, we made e-mail contact with the owners (Nigel & Bev) and were pleased to receive prompt, friendly and useful feedback, helping lay to rest any concerns we had about booking “blind”. Whilst the website photos are certainly appealing, they fail fully to capture the reality and we had a wonderful week’s holiday at Villa Vida Nova, which proved to be so comfortable, well-equipped and superbly located that it guaranteed a deeply relaxing and peaceful break. We loved the space, both inside and out, and the luxury touches: the fabulous pool and shady terrace, fully-equipped kitchen, air conditioning throughout, free wi-fi and satellite TV. The position is certainly rural, but not remote, and within just a few minutes’ drive of the pleasant town of Monchique and its well-stocked supermarkets (especially a new Intermarche store on the edge of town). The IC4/A22 toll motorway is but another 20 minutes’ drive through lovely countryside, providing rapid access to great coastal locations to the east or west, including Alvor, Lagos and Praia da Luz. We enjoyed the holiday so much that we booked for the following year shortly after returning home; we are now looking forward to our third successive visit this coming summer!

★★★★★ So glad we found this place.
We did a search on Google for a villa to rent in Portugal and found this one! Of all the private villas in Portugal this has to be the best. We have rented through many different agencies over the years in various locations but never felt really satisfied, there was always something wrong or something that could be improved. Then we discovered the Villa Vida Nova website, we had never booked directly before always with an agent. We were impressed and booked, everything went smoothly. Nigel held our weeks while we searched for flights, that was easy, then we arranged holiday insurance through one of his suggestions. When we arrived at the villa everything was ready and what a surprise, the villa turned out to be much more than expected. The quality of everything was far better than we have ever had before through an agency. The town of Monchique is gorgeous, its how we imagined Portugal to be but had never found it and the local restaurants are superb. We have recommended this villa to all of our friends and we will book again for the same time next year. There are no ratings on Villas, I would definitely give this a 5 star.

★★★★★ Absolutely fantastic Villa.
Of all the villas in Algarve to rent I think we chose very well. The house is everything the website says it is and more. We have stayed in other holiday rental homes in Portugal for more than 20 years and this is by far the best. The location and views are superb, this is the "Real Portugal". The house is truly luxurious and very well equipped, we are back again this year.

★★★★★ Fell in love with the house.
We stayed at Villa Vida Nova for 2 weeks during July 2012 and had a fantastic time. My husband and I plus our 3 boys age 13, 15 and 17 just fell in love with the house, the outdoor area, the magnificent view, the beautiful and authentic village of Monchique and not least the peace and quiet. We arrived on a Saturday and by Sunday afternoon, we felt like we had had a week off from work already. Monchique has a great supermarket, so we prepared a lot of meals using the bbq area and it was so stress less. A few weeks after our return, we booked 3 weeks for the Summer 2013 and we just can’t wait to come back.

★★★★★ Best holiday we have ever had!
Our friends recommended Villa Vida Nova to us, so we booked. It was the best decision we could have made and the best holiday we have had in a long time. We have stayed in Villas that are sparsely furnished and equipped, not this one, the beds and linen are top class, the kitchen has more than enough of everything, we also used the BBQ most days, the infinity pool is awesome, the natural spring complete with fish, intriguing. We stayed in 2012 and have reserved again in 2013.

★★★★★ Wonderful views and atmosphere
We have stayed in many villas throughout Europe and this is by far one of the finest.The villa itself is finished to a very high standard, and is very comfortable. The attention to detail throughout the villa has been very thoughtfully done. It is set in a very peaceful and private location with plenty of outdoor space where you can sit down and enjoy a meal and take in the wonderful views and atmosphere. We loved staying here and travelling throughout Monchique and the Algarve and will be returning soon.

★★★★★ Peace quiet and tranquility
We thought your villa was very good, in a very quiet location overseeing the valley down to the coast. The pool and BBQ area was private and secluded, with plenty of space to eat outside. The kitchen was fully equipped with all you would need for a full dinner, and we enjoyed access to home TV channels on the few nights it rained. It was not far up to the local restaurant, which we enjoyed a few nights, although we did drive after walking the first night. We went out of season and caught a few misty damp days, but we found the drive to the coast was easy from the villa. You definitely need a car here, but the plus is the peace quiet and tranquility.

★★★★★ Magnificent Views, beautiful pool.
We enjoy private and quiet surroundings for our holidays and certainly found it at Villa Vida Nova. A fantastic villa where everything fits the description and pictures shown. Magnificent views, beautiful pool and relaxing area outside and the village of Monchique is authentic, relaxed and still has a great supermarket making everything easy.

★★★★★ Best choice ever.
We have had rental villas in Portugal before, last year tried a villa for rent in Algarve and decided that the coastal area was not for us. Then we found Villa Vida Nova when searching the internet and it seemed to be the perfect villa so we booked. Best choice ever. The website does not do it justice. Everything about this villa is top class, the furniture is excellent quality not what you usually find in villa rentals in Portugal or anywhere for that matter. We enjoyed the outdoors just as much with lots of seating and sun loungers with plenty of shady spots, we had BBQ most nights and sometimes walked up to the restaurant up the hill, you will need a beer when you get to the top! Of all the Villa Rentals in Portugal that we have stayed in this gets our vote.

★★★★★ We had a blast!
We had a blast in this lovely Villa, we were 3 couples and it was our fourth time away together and this so far has been the best and the best value too, can't wait to return. One of the best positioned and well equipped villa rentals we have encountered. Thanks for all the small details, see you soon.

★★★★★ Everything was amazing.
We wouldn't book a villa in Portugal without a swimming pool, now after staying here we wouldn't book a villa without an infinity pool. With views like these what a difference our holiday has been, the kids love the pool, I love the BBQ and outside seating area. The bedrooms are just a delight everything was amazing, the staff always efficient and polite. Thanks for the Spa Vouchers we went there twice and have booked again for this year.

★★★★★ Fantastic villa.
This was the first time we tried a private villa rental and it was a great experience. The quality of everything in the villa was superb. Only the rain on 2 of the days dampened things a bit but we were still able to sit outside under the covered terrace, very relaxing, private and we felt very safe here. We hope to return soon on a Spring break with Chris's mom and dad. We certainly will tell our friends about this fantastic villa.