During our recent visit to the Algarve we had the pleasure of staying at Fazenda Nova Country House, a secluded, luxurious boutique hotel located in the countryside of Portugal's Eastern Algarve region. Fazenda Nova is a truly unique destination and is ideally located to explore all the region has to offer. We loved its authentic, countryside location and working farm where we could witness a side of Portugal not many tourists get to experience. Despite its seemingly remote location it is perfectly positioned to explore all the Eastern Algarve has to offer including unspoilt beaches, the natural wonder that is the Rio Formosa, authentic Portuguese fishing villages, historical towns and the incredible culture and food of the region. The Fazenda was luxurious, relaxing, romantic and as they perfectly describe a "boutique hideaway in the heart of the Eastern Algarve countryside" and our stay there allowed us to experience this magnificent part of Portugal, a country which we very quickly fell in love with.
We fell in love with Fazenda Nova the moment our taxi pulled through its front gates into the farm and grounds. We were instantly greeted by Tim, one of the owners along with some of the friendly staff of Fazenda Nova. We were taken through to the reception and bar area where we were offered a welcome drink whilst we chatted about Fazenda Nova over the check in formalities. We discovered that the Fazenda is an original Portugese country house that has been renovated to incorporate modern luxuries and style with beautiful traditional Portuguese architecture and features.
After we'd finished our drink we were taken on a tour through the Fazenda and its beautiful gardens. We loved the seemingly endless paths which were framed by spring wild flowers and which wove through the grounds and past many hidden, relaxing seating areas under shady trees. The Fazenda and its grounds are beautiful, tranquil and cleverly designed to blend in perfectly together.
Fazenda Nova Country House is set on 10 hectares of land which has been farmed since 1836 and the original olive, almond and carob trees are still maintained and farmed. The farm has over 300 olive trees which are harvested to create Fazenda Nova's own olive oil which is used in their cooking and can be sampled in their restaurant as well as purchased in their shop! In addition they also farm and grow their own fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit, all of which are used in the meals served in Fazenda Nova's wonderful restaurant. We loved strolling around the grounds and through the herb garden and loved when we found out that all produce on the farm is organically grown and free from pesticides!
Fazenda Nova has ten suites which include seven Garden suites, two Garden Apartments and a Terrace suite.The suites are all spread out through the grounds ensuring all guests are rewarded with the ultimate in privacy during their stay. We stayed in one of the gorgeous Garden Suites which in addition to being an incredibly spacious room also contained a large private garden with outdoor table and chairs and a beautiful firepit which is perfect for those visiting in the cooler months.
Our room was gorgeous and we were in awe the moment we stepped through the front door. The room contained beautiful tiles floors, warm rugs, a gorgeous king sized wooden Balinese style bed, the highest quality wood furniture, a beautiful full length mirror and the most elegant of decor. Our king size bed had a hypnos mattress which ensured we had a perfect nights sleep amongst the fine Egyptian cotton and luxurious bedding. The decor of the room was very elegant and unique and we loved the combination of books, ornaments and artwork which was complimented by a large flower as the feature piece of the room. I absolutely loved the combination of furniture which was all evidently bespoke and very beautiful and unique. Our suite truly felt like home and was also equipped with the latest mod cons including air conditioning, satellite TV, a telephone, high speed wireless internet and an ipod dock.
One of the highlights of our room was our bathroom, which truly was one of the most beautiful bathrooms we've had the pleasure of enjoying during our travels. Complete with polished concrete floors and walls, beautiful tiling, a large free standing bath and separate rainfall shower, the finest quality Villeroy and Boch bathroom fittings, REN toiletries, a hairdryer and soft, fluffy towels and bathrobes. It was evident that every aspect of the bathroom had been well thought out and it truly had the wow factor!
Fazenda Nova's pool is hidden away between gardens of olives, rosemary and lavender and beautifully blends into its surrounds. There is a large terraced deck with plenty of sun lounges to soak in the sunshine. Pool towels and neck pillows are placed out each morning and there is no shortage of hidden spots to relax around Fazenda Nova's gardens and grounds. The combination of the small number of rooms and large grounds ensures that you will find the private, relaxed stay in the Algarve countryside that you are looking for.
Fazenda Nova has a bar which is located in the very middle of the Fazenda, between the reception, restaurant and lounge. The bar is well stocked and features a wide selection of local and international beers, soft drinks, coffees, spirits and a great wine list which includes some of Portugal's best wines and in the late evening a honesty bar is in operation for guests.
In the reception area there is also a small shop where you can purchase products which the owners feel truly represent Portugal and all her beauty! You can also purchase some of their own olive oil!
Upstairs from the bar is the pride and joy of Fazenda Nova, the Vinyl Library. The Library is a recent addition and already houses a selection of over 1,500 records which have been lovingly curated and collected by the owners and contains a wide range of music from all genres which guests will love! The lounge area is a relaxing space for guests to explore and enjoy. The library also leads out to the Fazenda's beautiful terrace which offers incredible panoramic views over the stunning countryside around Fazenda Nova and all the way down to the sea and beaches of Fuseta and Barril in the distance. We caught a beautiful sunset from the terrace during our stay whilst we relaxed up there with a drink from the bar before dinner.
The restaurant at Fazenda Nova is called 'A Cozinha' and the menu which changes daily reflects the produce growing in the Fazenda's gardens as well as local, seasonal produce. On offer each evening is a selection of two entrees and two mains as well as dessert. The night we dined in the restaurant, Dan chose the piri piri chicken with salad and house fries whilst I opted for the fresh sole with lemon and vegetables, which was also served with rice. The seafood in the region is incredible and Fazenda Nova's in house Portugese chef visits the best fish market in the Algarve at nearby Olhao on a daily basis to select the best possible produce to serve alongside Fazenda Nova's own fruits, salads, vegetables and herbs. Both our meals were fantastic, full of flavour and evidently created using the freshest of produce. We also loved the freshly baked bread which we enjoyed with Fazenda Nova's very own olive oil.
A fresh and plentiful continental buffet is served every morning in the restaurant and can either be enjoyed in the restaurant or out on the terrace, in front of the Fazenda's 200 year old bread oven. We were very impressed with the wide selection of breakfast items which included cereals, yoghurts, freshly baked breads, croissants, pastries, cold meats, cheeses, fresh fruits from the orchard and freshly squeezed juices along with tea and coffee. It is also possible to order hot breakfast items for a small additional cost.
Fazenda Nova is ideally located in the heart of the Eastern Algarve only 15 minutes from Tavira, 25 minutes from Faro Airport and 10 minutes from the nearest beach. There is an unlimited amount of places to visit and things to do in the area and Fazenda Nova is the perfect base to explore all that this beautiful region of Portugal has to offer. Highlights include Tavira, a beautiful, historical town located on the river Gilao, the Rio Formosa National Park which is a prime breeding ground for birds, fish and animals alike and the beautiful islands which are located in front of the Rio Formosa Estuary. Whether you want to stroll through beautiful villages, visit local markets, hike through the hills, laze on unspoilt beaches or enjoy the natural beauty of the Rio Formosa there is something for everyone in the Eastern Algarve. One of the highlights for us was visiting the beautiful beaches nearby and we borrowed Fazenda Nova's bicycles one afternoon and cycled to nearby Fuseta. Fuseta is a local village and fishing port which has a small beach and is where you can also catch a ferry to nearby Ilha Fuseta. We loved Fuseta as it had a beautiful beach, delicious seafood and was a very authentic Portuguese fishing village. In addition to having bicycles to borrow, you can also borrow beach umbrellas and beach towels from Fazenda Nova.
The lovely staff at Fazenda Nova were more than willing to assist us with maps, directions and recommendations of places to visit and couldn't have been more friendly or helpful! Tim, one of the lovely owners was also kind enough to provide us with a huge number of recommendations and also a great deal of advice for our campervanning holiday along the Algarve and up into the Alentjo regions of Portugal which is where we headed after our stay at Fazenda Nova. His advice was spot on and every place we visited thanks to his recommendation was fantastic. Every member of staff we interacted with during our stay at Fazenda Nova was friendly, helpful and truly ensured our stay was perfect.
Our stay at Fazenda Nova was perfect and was a wonderful way to experience the beauty of the Portuguese countryside and the Eastern Algarve region in Portugal. Tim and Hallie have created a luxurious, relaxing retreat that is welcoming and wonderful in every way possible. We loved the beautiful decor and the unique style of the Fazenda and loved spending our days both exploring the local region and also relaxing by the pool and strolling through the gardens and grounds. Our stay at Fazenda Nova was intimate, romantic and relaxing and made even more perfect by the friendly, helpful staff and by the incredible dining experience we had in their restaurant. We would love to return one day and would highly recommend a stay in Fazenda Nova Country House to anyone visiting the stunning Eastern Algarve region of Portugal.
Fazenda Nova Country House
Estiramantens
8800-504 Santo Estevão
Portugal
+351 281 961 913
www.fazendanova.eu
The Aussie Flashpacker was welcomed to Fazenda Nova as a guest.
Our opinions are as always, our own.
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