The story
Pascale and Igor once lived in Paris, in the familiar rhythm of a big city. Yet what they truly longed for was sunlight, slower days, and a home with doors open to travelers. Today, their dream has taken shape in the hills north of Faro, where they welcome guests to Solar do Bisavô, a 19th century whitewashed manor house turned boutique hideaway.
The place
Algarve insiders mind the crowded tourist enclaves on the coast. They prefer the prettier towns of Loulé and São Brás de Alportel, where cobblestone streets and tiled facades set the tone. Here, a short drive into the surrounding hills reveals the Quinta das Raposeiras. Perched on a slope, the manor appears: stately, sunlit, its white walls glowing against the olive trees.
It feels inevitable that such a building would become a guesthouse. Pascale and Igor thought so too. After careful restoration, they opened their doors in 2024. Their vision: not luxury in the conventional sense, but an atmosphere of grace and ease.
The House
Step through the entrance hall with high ceilings, wide and bright and you understand the appeal (well, we did). For example, at Solar do Bisavô vintage armchairs are draped with blankets from Portugal’s Burel Factory. What a taste!
At the moment there are five rooms at Solar do Bisavô, each one styled with crisp lines, fine materials, and large bathrooms that gleam. Each has its own fully equipped private terrace, and for two of them is that on clear days, the sea shimmers in the distance.
A sixth room is due in 2026.
The ground floor recalls the house’s past: lofty rooms flowing into a library, a salon, and a dining hall with a fireplace. The furnishings – antique, elegant – blend seamlessly with the whitewashed walls. It takes little imagination to picture a nobleman’s carriage pulling up outside.
Behind the house, a three-thousand-square-meter garden spreads out. A stone pool glistens beside orange trees, their scent drifting through the air. It’s a rarer kind of Algarve holiday, one where refinement meets ease.
The Hosts
The essence of Solar do Bisavô is Pascale and Igor themselves. They welcome guests warmly, taking time to explain the house, to share local secrets, to suggest beaches and dinner tables. Their hospitality feels personal, never scripted.
The Morning Ritual
Each day begins on the sun-drenched terrace, where breakfast arrives in generous courses: Sourdough bread, Portuguese-style eggs, seasonal salad featuring wonderful local produce, some of which is grown in the garden, freshly pressed orange juices, fruits, jams, granola and homemade cake. Coffee, carefully selected by Igor, is poured steadily. It feels less like hotel service, more like being invited into someone’s home – though a home with impeccable taste.
Beyond the Gates
Nearby villages beckon. São Brás de Alportel, Loulé, and Santa Bárbara de Nexe are worth wandering. An entrance to the motorway that crosses the Algarve is less than 10 minutes away by car, allowing you to visit all the Algarve’s attractions in a day. The furthest away, which will delight surfing enthusiasts, is the west coast, an hour’s drive away.
Dinner is easily found too. One evening we tried Austa in Almancil: spare, stylish, and quietly excellent. The house list of restaurants extends further, carefully chosen to fit the mood of Solar do Bisavô.
And the beaches?
The coast is only 15 to 20 minutes away, its beaches and nature reserves within easy reach. The most beautiful ones? xxxx. It’s difficult to choose: take a 10-minute ferry ride from Olhão and discover the islands of Ria Formosa Armona or Culatra and their beaches worthy of the Maldives, take the little train and discover the immense Barril beach not far from Tavira, or admire the sunset at the ochre cliff beach.
Rates
Doubles between 200 – 260 euros per night including breakfast.
Booking & Contacts
Solar do Bisavô
Rua José Sousa gago
8005-423 Santa Bárbara de Nexe
Portugal
