Eleven Boliqueime

Eleven Boutique House & Garden is a restored village retreat in the heart of Boliqueime, an Algarve town that keeps much of its traditional character. The property sits in the hills above Vilamoura, about 10 minutes from the resort and around 20 minutes from Faro, Albufeira and Faro airport, with the region's golf courses, cycling routes and walking trails all close by. The house is run by Sonia Cavozza, Bruno Barreto and Sophie Duhen, who took it on after more than 40 years living in Pointe-Noire, Congo Brazzaville. Bruno is of Portuguese-French origin, Sonia is an Italian chef, and Sophie, a long-time friend of the other two, is French; together they bring Portuguese hospitality, Italian cooking and French style to the guest house. Rooms come with 400-count Egyptian cotton linen, Molton Brown toiletries, a Nespresso machine, underfloor heating, individually controlled air conditioning and blackout shutters, plus a private safe and hairdryer. Guests can relax around the pool or in the shaded courtyard garden, and booking directly with the hotel includes a complimentary breakfast and savings on the room rate. As long-standing Boliqueime residents, the owners also help guests arrange taxis, airport transfers, car hire, golf bookings, Rio Formosa boat trips, dolphin-watching cruises, Jeep safaris and Alentejo vineyard tours.