Holiday home Quinta da Lila

Vines, fragrant citrus plants, olive and apple trees spread across the numerous terraces of the extensive Quinta da Lila estate, lined with stone walls, cork oaks and strawberry trees. After many years of abandonment, the 150-year-old farm in the green hills of the Serra de Monchique, near the mountain village of the same name, has been given a new lease of life and transformed into three holiday houses of different sizes in the peaceful hinterland of the Algarve.

The layout of the buildings has been largely preserved, and the houses have retained their authenticity, even with their modern and comfortable fittings. Materials such as cork insulation and lime plaster are part of a holistically conceived sustainable concept.

Selected vintage furniture and design classics give each of the three accommodations a unique touch. A special highlight are the three former irrigation tanks that have been converted into plunge pools, which not only provide refreshment but also stylish pool flair.

The Baker’s Cottage in the middle of the vineyards is the perfect place for a break for two, with a view of Picota, the second-highest peak in the Algarve. The former bakery is divided into a bedroom and a living area with a wood-burning stove and has an elegant ambience. The cottage has two terraces and its own yoga deck, and the pool is fed with fresh mountain water.

The Granite House for up to four people is located at the upper end of the property and combines rustic charm with vintage design and rough stone walls. On the ground floor there is a kitchenette with dining table, sitting area and wood-burning stove as well as a double bed and a bathroom. A solid oak staircase leads to the gallery with another double bed. In addition to spacious terraces and the plunge pool, the stone house also has a herb and fruit garden with lemons, oranges, limes and the rare ‘Pera de Monchique’ apple variety.

The Yellow House consists of three separate buildings and can accommodate a total of six people who value space and privacy. The atmospheric centrepiece of the main house is the living room with its high ceiling, yellow lounge area and huge black and white art. Accompanied by a long kitchen block with dining area, the master bedroom and a bathroom with customised oak bathtub. The two additional suites each have a double bedroom with its own bathroom. Here, too, guests can enjoy various terraces, fruit and herb gardens and a particularly iconic plunge pool.

The newly planted vineyard is farmed according to organic principles and the first wine will be ready in 1-2 years.


What to do

Hiking and mountain biking, e.g. to the two highest peaks in the Algarve, Fóia and Picota, excursions to the nearest town of Monchique (5 min.) with local arts and crafts, culture, cuisine and an old Franciscan monastery with Manueline architecture or to the thermal springs in Caldas de Monchique (10 min.), swimming and surfing on the various beaches in the south and west (approx. 30 min.), yoga retreats, bird watching or golfing

Why we like this house

Minimalist luxury and pure idyll: each of the accommodations is one of a kind in a dreamlike location.

This house is great for

Nature-loving couples seeking peace and quiet, friends, families and groups of up to 12 people - due to the nature of the property, the accommodation is not recommended for children under the age of 12 or people with reduced mobility

Sustainability

Cork insulation, lime plaster, heat pumps and solar hot water, bio-regenerative viticulture;

Owner

We are Herman and Angela, a Dutch-Brazilian couple. Ever since we first visited the Algarve, we have been in love with the region - the food, the wine, the climate and, above all, the people. Just as with our first project, Casa da Lila, we didn't want to ‘just’ build a beautiful holiday home, we wanted to give something back to the region. For both projects, we deliberately bought ruins to save them from complete decay. We firmly believe that we didn't choose these properties, they chose us. The Quinta da Lila estate was abandoned for over 40 years before we were able to restore it to its former splendour.

Details

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