OceanBlue Portugal

Rooms

There are three two-bedroom apartments and one studio apartment. All of the two-beds overlook the pool and huge view beyond. Rooms are stylish and cleverly designed: internal walls are lined with mud plaster to create a soft acoustic and ambient climate - cool in summer, warm in winter. There's also underfloor heating to stay cosy on cool winter nights.

Bedrooms are on the small side, but living areas have plenty of space. Open-plan interiors are predominantly white, with dashes of tropical turquoise or deep ocean blue. We loved the thoughtful extras: flaky pasteis de nata from the local bakery, a bottle of red, and handpicked flowers from the garden placed in oversized vases.

Lagoona and Azul overlook the pool and each have two bedrooms, a large open-plan living area, and lovely light bathrooms with walk-in showers. Oceano, where we stayed, is similar but it has a small tub in its bathroom and a large private garden with a plunge pool - though we thought it looked more like a kids splash pool. Either way, the garden is an ideal space for kids to romp around or for those wanting a little more privacy.

The smallest apartment, Sapphire, doesn't come with a sea view, but its deck area is separate from the others, with a cool hammock chair. Inside, there's a kingsize bed in a large open-plan studio, with a basic kitchen and a large wet room.

Features include:

• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• WiFi

Eating

Each apartment has a simple kitchen with fridge, toaster and twin hob, but no oven. The two-bed apartments also have a microwave, and guests are welcome to use the communal barbecue and honesty bar in the pool area. You can buy everything you need in Burgau, a short walk or drive down the hill. There's a small supermarket, bakery, grocery store and wine shop, as well as daily visits (except Sundays) from a van selling fresh fish.

However, eating out is a real highlight of the region; Lucy and Sean will recommend excellent restaurants and cafes - we can vouch for Miam, where the fish is fresh from the boat and the beach views are dreamy. Fish and seafood are the basis of traditional Algarve cuisine. A regional favourite is cataplana – a combination of fish, seafood, chorizo and vegetables cooked up in a copper saucepan. Or you might want to try arroz de marisco - a rice dish of prawns, clams and crabs cooked with tomato and wine in a large clay pot. And if you fancy a break from seafood, there's a funky and affordable pizza restaurant in Burgau called Love Burgau - great for fish-free or fussy eaters.

Features include:

• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Microwave
• Restaurants nearby
• Toaster

Activities

Guided activities:
Most mornings there is a different activity on offer, guided by Lucy or Sean. You can also make requests if there's anything you're especially keen to do. They can be adapted for all ages, abilities and levels of adventure. Sometimes you will be part of a small group, other times it will be just you and your guide. It's all bespoke and very flexible.

• Mountain bike through rural valleys, grassy meadows and coastal trails
  
• Try paddleboarding the lagoon or between secret beaches along the coast; great for core, balance and body strength
  
• Enjoy a relaxing sea safari on Sean's 11.2m Cheetah catamaran; swim to hidden bays, snorkel into blue grottoes or picnic at anchor
  
• Boost your fitness levels with Lucy's Sunrise sessions; from morning bootcamps on the beach to guided runs and poolside pilates

• Chill by the pool or in your private garden
  
• Follow one of Lucy's Self Guided Explore Tours, exploring lesser known beauty spots and beaches in the Natural Park
  
• Hike along the ancient coastal paths, stopping off for lunch at the traditional fishing village of Salema
  
• Surf the gentle waves of the south or the wild breaks of the west. You can hire wetsuits from OceanBlue and Lucy can arrange lessons on request
  
• Hit the beach. Burgau is walkable and has a lovely stretch of golden sand; Zavial is wild, with dramatic cliffs; Cabanas is sandy, with a super beach club and beanbags
  
• Take a drive to dramatic Cabo de São Vicente, Portugal's most southwesterly point, with a lighthouse and spectacular views
  
• Visit historic Lagos with its bustling markets, buzzing nightlife and pretty harbour estuary

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Pilates
• Surfing

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome and it's a great place for a family break. Older kids will get the most out of the activities on offer, but they can be tailored to all ages, abilities and levels of adventure. The Sea Safari is fun for all ages; the catamaran has a comfy seating area in the shade and a spacious deck ideal for sunbathing or somersaulting into the turquoise sea. Back at the villa, the saltwater pool is large and there are inflatables to borrow.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Sapphire is a studio apartment with kingsize bed and a single sofabed/space for a baby cot; Azul, Lagoona and Oceano are all two-bedroom apartments (one double, one twin/double) with space for one baby cot.

Distances:

• Airport: Faro (1-hour drive)
• Shops/restaurants: 0.5km
• Hospital: 12km (Lagos)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Ocean Blue is on a hilltop just inland from the traditional fishing village of Burgau, in Portugal's western Algarve. Surrounded by wild fig fields, it's on the edge of the Costa Vicentina Natural Park.

By Air:
Fly into Faro then hire a car. It's an hour's drive.

Alternatively, Lucy can arrange airport transfers, or you can take a train from Faro to Burgau, then taxi/walk from there.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.