“We had a great time here and everything was as Ana and Ralph said it would be. The beaches were very unspoilt and uncrowded, the villa was immaculate and it was easy to get around without a car. Sintra is definitely well worth a visit. We would certainly recommend this as a holiday.”

“From the USA, we were transported to the wonderful world of Praia das Maçãs and, indeed, of Portugal. In addition to enjoying the charming village, we took fabulous day trips throughout the region. Ralph and Ana’s cottages provide delightfully simple quarters for relaxing or using as a home base for further exploration. Ana and Ralph are gracious hosts, providing translation services when needed, tips on places to visit, suggestions for restaurants, colorful information on national and local history and culture, and creature services beyond the norm to make our accommodations comfortable. We highly recommend these cottages for those who like to stay among the locals in pristine accommodations at a reasonable price.”

“Great location and private. Clean Clean Clean!!!
Ceramic floors throughout and a granit wrap around patio with wonderful gardens. We stayed in the 2 bedroom cottage, and found it roomy for our family of 4.
Everything you need is there. Ralph and his Maria were great hosts. We were due to arrive July 28, but our accommodations did not work out for the 2 nights prior and we proceeded to get on to Sintra area. I called Ralph, and although he had already left the area, he recommended a decent place to stay for the night, and welcomed us the next day at no charge. You don’t find people like this very often. Just to let you know, we stayed at 3 different places during our 18 days in Portugal, and the only place that did not work out, was the one that was recommended to us by a travel agent.
This was our first trip to Europe and very hesitant on booking on line. Ralph and I communicated several times by phone and email. We stayed in July of 2007 and the boys still talk about it. Great beaches, make sure to check out Grande Beach, and some of the less popular ones off the beaten track. We have some amazing photos. Don’t be afraid to explore, whether by foot or by car. Ralph has done an amazing job on the web site. It is dead on, no surpises. Kids were 10 and 11 at the time. They were happy running down to the local market for the ice cream. Make sure to ask Ralph for the name of the very popular family restaurant in the next village (sorry, I forgot). Hope they still have the bbq stand by the fire station on Friday and Saturdays. Amazing chicken, and buns, crazy inexpensive. Make sure you get there early. We got a chance to get into the Colares winery, very cool. Restaurant eating could get pricy, but we took advance of the local butcher and had a few charcoal bbqs. Cafe down the way was great for breakfast or lunch. Large portions and very inexpensive. Good access to take rail to Lisbon. We would stay here again if every we find ourselves in Portugal again. There is something for everyone here.”

“Have just returned from our second visit to Praia das Maçãs and Vila Arcos. In the past we have always gone to the west coast of the Algarve but last year decided to branch out and what a gem we found in Maçãs! The house is comfortable, spotlessly clean and well equipped with great outside space. The shop is just around the corner to get fresh bread for breakfast and everything is within walking distance – great restaurants. fantastic beach and a huge swimming pool if you fancy a change.
Ralph & Ana are great hosts, very friendly and helpful – Ralph remembered that the kids were into football and a few weeks before our visit let us know about a match at Sporting Lisbon which was a great experience. He also organised surfing lessons for them the previous year.
I would recommend the villa and the resort highly for a peaceful, relaxing holiday and one of my tips (there are many!) would be to have a tosta mista in Barmácia, get a seat by the window and watch the sufers catching the waves on a glittering sea – heaven!!”

“We usually stay on campsites in France for our holidays, but this year decided to try Lisbon and were very happy to find Ralph and Ana’s cottages in Praia das Maçãs. The accommodation was lovely and very convenient for the beach and restaurants. We enjoyed driving out to discover different unspoiled beaches and try the surf up and down the coast and especially liked the Guincho beaches.
Sintra is also a fascinating place with the Quinta da Regaleira a must for exploring with the kids and we enjoyed finding our own route up to the Moorish Castle at the top of the hills.
Lisbon was also interesting especially the aquarium at the old Expo site which has been developed with several activities and a big shopping centre! Should we decide to visit this area again (which is highly likely) we would definitely look up Ralph and Ana’s accommodation as they were superb hosts.”

“We had a fabulous two weeks in your cottage. Praia das Maçãs is a pretty & chilled village and your cottage is nicely tucked away yet still very handy for the beach & restaurants. The villa was very clean and tidy, you were both lovely and friendly and we had the most relaxing time. What was also excellent was the ease and speed of access to Lisbon, Sintra and the airport whilst being in a rural village on the Atlantic coast. We will definitely be recommending you and your cottages to our friends.”

“We all had a great time at Vila Arcos. What a perfect location with beaches, cafes and shops all within walking distance and of course the surf lodge. What made it even better for me was the efficiency of the airport transfers and of course the personal service you provided.
It was also a bonus not to have to hire a car. Going to Sintra on the bus was a breeze, trying to park there would not have been fun. All in all a very memorable holiday and look forward to seeing you again.”

“If you visit Praia das Maçãs (and stay at Vila Arcos), you’ll be in for a treat… not just the great hospitality afforded by Ralph, but the lovely cottage, wonderful beach and local cuisine! After a lot of research and many questions to Ralph (which I must say were always answered, without leaving you feeling you were being a pain – which of course, I was!) – we chose this location and cottage, very simply because it felt like too good to be true on, price, plus all the extras – and it didn’t fail to live up to the feeling of having bagged a really good deal! The cottage is very simple, but contemporary. It has all you need, although a family of 4 might struggle on the size of living communal living space – but this can be overcome if most of the time was spent out and about or sitting in the patio area outside (weather permitting.) It would benefit from a washing machine, but that is a minor issue and personal preference. We visited (in May out of season, which begins in earnest 1 June), and it was very quiet (which is what we wanted), but the bus services, local Lido, tennis courts (all of which looked great) and beach facilities (such as showers) were closed! The beach whilst lovely was not safe for swimming as there was no lifeguard until the season opened. The bus services were also a bit hit and miss, and so a car might be a good idea if you want to get around (even to nearby Sintra.) That said, we would recommend both the location and the cottage. The restaurants and local people are great, the climate perfect, location and surrounding areas are really lovely. We do a lot of travelling and love to try out new places, but on this occasion will make an exception and make this a regular location for our holiday, particularly as my son has made great friends with local children, met through taking lessons at the local surf school! We have recommended Lisbon Coast Cottages, and friends and family are already showing real interest (Ralph watch out…)”

“One of the best things about the charming beach side village of Praia das Maçãs is The Vila Arcos. What a perfect place to call home for our 4 night stay in April. We chose the area as a base to explore Sintra but had no idea there would be so many other distractions in the vicinity… we should have stayed for a week at least. The cottage is comfortable and immaculate and without doubt tended with great care and consideration to the guests’ comfort. Undoubtedly my favorite part of the cottage was the fantastic courtyard garden, a great sun trap for just lazing, a barbeque or morning coffee! But what really made our experience at the Vila Arcos outstanding was meeting Ralph; thank you for the diverting conversations, tourist tips and warm welcome…
Thank you”