Casa Sylvie

Casa Sylvie is located on the secluded residential estate of Quinta dos Alamos; set in the outskirts of Guia. This small residencia features many individual villas with gardens and pools. Whilst the pool enjoys private gardens and pool in a peaceful setting, there are neighbours nearby and this may not suit those looking for total seclusion.

Guia is colloquially known as the 'restaurant village' with a range of restaurants offering everything from the famous piri-piri chicken to gourmet French cuisine. It is also home to the popular ZooMarine ocean theme park; set amongst lakes and gardens this park offers a variety of live shows, rides and exhibitions to entertain the whole family. It features a huge range of marine animals from sea lions to turtles and exotic birds. (For a large fee - around £80 - you can also experience the magic of swimming with dolphins but make sure you pre-book). In Guia, you will also find the new 'Algarve Shopping' mall, with a large selection of shops, fast food outlets, cinema screens (English language films) and a ten-pin bowling alley.

Albufeira, 3km away is a sprawling town with plenty to see and something to suit everyone. During the day you can enjoy the sandy stretches of beach or browse the markets where local handicrafts and fresh goods are sold. In the evening, a wide variety of bars, restaurants and clubs fill the streets with people and life; locals sit on the terraces of traditional restaurants, the bars fill up with thirsty punters, and all kinds of music drift across the air. You can also stroll around the newly completed marina in the west and admire the dazzling array of white yachts. Alternatively, you could wander around the Old Town and explore the maze of cobbled streets, past white-washed fishermen's houses.

Many of the beaches have water sports on offer throughout the summer, and there are plenty of golf courses, tennis courts and horse riding facilities found all around the Algarve. The nearest golf course is Salgados, set back from the Gale beach with 18-holes and lots of water hazards.

One of Albufeira's nicest beaches; Praia dos Pescadores or 'fishermens' beach is so named because of the little colourful fishing boats that line the shore here. This sandy beach has only a few steps down to the sand and plenty of parking; it also has a small pier and a beachside cafe. Leading down to the beach is 'The Street of bars' where there is plenty of nightlife to be had.

Nearby attractions for those with children include.

. Slide and Splash - a huge water park with pools, Jacuzzis, slides and rapids that can keep the whole family amused for a day. There are plenty of grassy areas for relaxing and picnicking and because the grounds are so large, it doesn't get too crowded. Located north of the town on the N125, approx 25km away

Ground Floor

Stairs lead down from the entrance hall on the first floor into the living and dining room. This light and airy room has cosy sitting area, created around a fireplace with wood-burning stove. As well as the built-in seating there is a sofa and armchair. Book shelves to the right of the fireplace are lined with ornaments and colourful ceramics, and there is also a TV and Video. Side patio doors open out on to the sunny pool terrace.

Behind the cosy sitting is another large sofa and a small dining table and four chairs. From here, you enter into the kitchen with white units, a grey granite worktop and a double sink beneath a sunny window. This kitchen is fully-equipped with a dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, kettle, and toaster. There is another, larger wooden dining table and six chairs. A door opens to the grassy area at the side of the garden.

First Floor

The front door opens into an entrance hall on this level, from where stairs lead down to the first floor, and up to the second floor. On this level there are two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The bedrooms are both furnished with twin beds and storage space, and have the use of a separate bathroom and shower room. The bathrooms are colourfully tiled and feature large wall mirrors and white suites.

Second Floor

The spacious master bedroom is fitted with a double bed, bedside tables, small lamps and a wall of built-in wardrobes. This room also has its own en-suite bathroom. A door leads through to another bedroom which is ideal for small children because it is attached to the master bedroom and features small twin beds.

Outside

Doors open on to the large sun-filled terrace from the living room, here the terrace is shaded by an overhanging roof. There is a garden table and chairs for long, lazy lunches in the shade, and sunloungers for relaxing in the warm sunshine. The private pool is enclosed by a white metal gate, screening it from inquisitive young children. A gate opens to the integral steps that lead gently into the blue waters. There is also a metal ladder for access and a small diving board in the deep end.

The kitchen door opens to the grassy area at the side, where there is a built-in barbecue and a swing set for the kids. A green hedge borders the garden here, however there are neighbours nearby and the garden, whilst private, is not totally secluded.

Additional Information

Pool heating is available for a supplement - £140 per week.