Steph and Dave are great people. People who you would like to have as neighbors and people who you like to have as friends. Great experience staying in their apartment. Great value. at the time I was leaving, Dave invite me for coffee if I get a chance to come close to the area, and I have an open invitation to them: Steph and Dave are invited to visit me in US and I would be very happy to host them at my own home. I own a very big house and won't have any problem to host them.
From the very beginning when I arrival, both Steph and Dave greeted me and were very nice. Steph traveled to UK to visit her family shortly after so I did not get much chance to chat with her, but Dave were always there for me. Every time I walk by, he would try to offer me something to make my stay more pleasant. He is a great man who you would like to have as a friend (again).
Few highlights I want to point out and hope to help others when they want to make decision:
1. Steph has great sense of art. Some little things inside the apartment would give you the sense of it. It might be just a little lamp or a small paint. Those small art articles bring joy in one's life;
2. Bike ride: I did not think about riding the bike until Dave told me. Like I said before, every time I walk by, Dave would try to offer me something to help me enjoy my vacation better. The bike ride from Guincho beach to Cascais can be very enjoyable if you are young and fit. The wind will help you while riding to Cascais, but it can also oppose you while riding back. Overall, it would be great experience to anyone who is young and fit;
3. Herbs: So good, Dave is very good with gardening and he made a small area into a wonderful place where you can add few things into your dishes. I eat a lot of sushi and I used those herbs everyday. I really enjoyed;
4. Area: The area shows on the map as if it is nowhere, but that's not true. It is very well located between Sintra and Cascais, both can be reached easily. In the neighborhood, there is a small fish store where I spent more money than my rental and it is great. I will write a separated review for that fish store. If you like seafood, this is must go and the owner Francisco is very nice and always give me a little extra like few shrimps or extra fish by cutting a bit left over fish tails. Great man and 90% of them are fresh. If you are in the area, it is mush visit;
5. Supermarket nearby: there is a small convenience store right in front of the fish store, it has pretty much everything you would need for a short or mid-term stay;
6. Dave is very helpful: Here is a short story of it. I asked Dave where I can get SIM card in the area, and Dave told me I should get it in postal office in Cascais and he immediately told me that he is about to go to Cascais and could offer me ride. He is such a great person. Again, a person who you would like to have as a neighbor.
I am sure I can go on forever. ...
Highly recommended!!! The place is small, but clean. Part of travel experience to me is to live like local and I enjoyed. Nothing fancy here, but it's local village life. I own a very big house (5000 sft/500sm) in US, but I enjoyed live there, plus it is so reasonably priced. ... Great value overall.