This is a very good place to stay if you are looking for a nice, stylish and relaxed holiday secluded from the tourist masses but with access to nature, culture and nearby towns.
The host
At our stay we meet João, his daughter Teresinha and his dog Mozart. João was the perfect host, and seemed to really care about our wellbeing. I have never before met such a welcoming host. At the arrival we were offered Portuguese pastry, the fridge was equipped with some food and we had free access to coffee and tea. We were also offered fresh bread at the door every morning. As they live on the same property you must expect to meet them in the gardens or by the pool, but they are very nice and the coexistence went very well. The real king of the villa is Mozart. He is a very well behaved dog, and makes almost no noice. He walks around the property as he likes, but follows your commands. If you want to, you have a true friend in Mozart.
The villa
The villa is a nice combination between modern design and (at least my imagination of) mediterranean rustique. Joao lives in a pearl of a villa, and you are offered a completely separate and big apartment in it. The outdoor area is very nice with pool, gardens, tiled outdoor places, a seating area and chairs/tables. Inside is elegant and stylish, and it is obvious that Joao has invested in quality furnitures and equipment. All rooms are as beautiful as in the pictures, and the kitchen is well equipped for preparation of good meals.
The area
The property is located approx 30+ minutes from Lisbon and the airport, 10-15 minutes from Cascais and Sintra and in walking distance from a Malveira da Serra, a village with grocery store, pharmacy, restaurants ++. It is located just at the edge of Sintra-Cascais natural park. If you like to hike, the area is perfect, and several trails, castles and monastaries are within your reach. With a car your reach is even longer and all the opportunities of the region is yours to grab! Quinta da Regaleira was our favorite. For efficient exploration of the area I would recommend bringing a car, but it is not neccessary. We had no car, walked to the village for shopping and used taxi when needed.