Recent Comments by Self-Catering Guests

A most welcome stress free week.  Our first time in Portugal and we couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful setting, Sintra is a delight.  A lovely week in ‘painting country’.  C. P. 6/06/10

Being the first time in the area, we will most definitely repeat our visit to the Sintra area, as this is the ideal spot for both cultural and sportive activities.  Enjoying the spectacular waves at Praia Grande, perfect single trails for mountain biking starting at the house and the vicinity to Lisbon.  We especially appreciated playing in the pool and just hanging around on the terraces together with Alma a very fine dog with an adorable character.  Both Alan and Mary were perfect hosts to an unforgettable stay. Contributing to this certainly has been the fact that we have been spoiled with perfect weather conditions.  Thanks so much and see you again next year!

Arnulf, Julia, Emilia & Lourens Meuser, Germany,Oct. 4-18, ‘09

Dear Mary and Alan.  It was like a dream! To be at your home where space, the wonderful view of the sea, your art are in the same fusion to give a sensation of peace and happiness.

Federica e Stefano Vincien-Panetti  / Florence, Italy 3/09/09

A great retreat in fantastic surrounds.  Far too many good eating houses, wine and fruit to do it justice in one week.  Much enjoyed by all our family.  The house worked very well as a place to relax and enjoy each other’s company.  Thanks to Mary & Alan for their hospitality and as guide to the local restaurants and attractions - it helped us to easily sort out where to go and what to do.

Ian & Helen Gear / New Zealand / 12/09/ 2009

It was a wonderful discovery and a perfect start for our visit.  It was like visiting friends in a perfect setting, surrounded by nature and art. Thanks for your wonderful hospitality.

Judy & Richard Elliott / USA / 9/19 /’09

Our first visit to Portugal and we´ve had a wonderful time.  Thank you for the warm welcome, advice and having some food for us after our journey.  Great to escape the wet UK summer for blue skies and sun (most of the time). V. Much enjoyed Sintra, Lisbon (and Belem), Cascais, tennis and Praia de Maças, golf at Beloura, Cabo de Roca, and further afield to body board at Ericeira and visit Obidos and Nazare (amazing waves but unfortunate red flags).  Thanks to Alex for his guided walk to the Convent which we all enjoyed.  The pool was a big hit in our family.  Swimming at last twice a day and one night with all the lights on. Alma was a very playful dog and really cool, thanks a lot, Duncan.  We had a lovely holiday here despite the weather being a bit chilly we found heat in Lisbon and Cascais!! We love the dogs! Thank you for the use of this lovely house in a gorgeous location!  Emma. Such an interesting house and location.  So much culture to do we will have to come back!  Thanks very much for providing a brilliant holiday. Sarah

The Grants, 28/8/08

We´d had a stressful year.  It wasn´t helped by 2 months of rain in Hertfordshire.  Loved the prospect of staying with an ‘architect-sculptor-artist´ (rolled into one delightful couple) in the home that over nearly 30 years they have created amongst the cork trees and eucalypus on a sunlit hillside, a home that looks out over white villages to the blue Atlantic.  Could that really be?  Wow! Soon we were as settled and purring as the calico cat that slept in the armchair.  Stress?  Troubles? Gone into air, into the fragrant air… (And the MARMELADE!!) like everything else here – UNFORGETTABLY DELICIOUS!). Thank you sweet Mary and Alan!                            Bill and Hazel Bentall 3/10/08

“We have had a wonderful fortnight here - fortunate to find such a
lovely spot. The house is very welcoming with its rich artistic feel -
something fresh to stimulate the eye on every turn, not to mention the
terrific views over Almoçageme. But more than anything this is
perfectly placed to visit the real gems of Portugal - the palaces of
Sintra, Lisbon, the convent of the Capuchins, fantastic…..The beach
at Adraga is brilliant - and for the cold of the Atlantic there is the
perfect balance of the pool - a sun trap. Thank you for a lovely stay.”

- R. Staniforth, Wales, August 2007

“Beautiful location, welcoming hosts, fabulous view from the pool, great
BBQ area! We very much enjoyed our trips to Lisbon, Cascais and
Sintra. The waves at the nearby beaches are monsterous fun!
Restaurant at Almoçageme, next to mini-market is good value. If you
try a few words of Portuguese, the owners will love you!”

- The Figgs, Essex, UK, July 2007

“Thank you for your generous and warm hospitality. Our family loved the
accommodation and especially Alma and Beluga. The pool was an added
treat for the children. The location is perfect, close to Sintra,
castles and beach. We loved taking advantage of all the above. We
particularly enjoyed our conservations with you, Mary & Alan and being
surrounded by beautiful art as well as exquisite scenery and sunsets.
Our holiday here has been more than anticipated.”

- the Fung, Lake, Blatt Family, Germany and USA, July 2007

“Thank you for a great villa in a beautiful location. We especially enjoyed the pool and the great views, eating in the garden. And you have been very welcoming hosts. Our children loved playing in the waves on Praia Grande and Praia Adraga. For eating do get Mary and Alan’s advice to avoid some locat cafes. And the hills behind one are a cyclist’s paradise. Alan was kind enough to lend me his 21 speed bike, perfect for the back roads and mountain tracks where at weekends you will find more cyclists than cars.”

- Henry Stewart, UK, August 2006

“Too short to see it all, god, this is such a beautiful country, full of dreams, colors and history. We had an amazing time in here and your house is full of soul. Hope I’ll come back one day to learn about your paintings and those sculptures that look like sci-fi comic books. Well, it’s been a real pleasure - x - Melanie PS your wine is gorgeous as well!!”

- Melanie Bauer, Paris, July 2006

“Thank you so much for a wonderful stay. Last night, as the sun set over the ocean and there was a gentle breeze through the trees, the thought of leaving early this morning was very hard to bear! Thank you for all your help, kindness and information giving. The house here has been perfect for the girls - the washing machine a particular bonus. It’s a great setting, but made delightful by yourselves! Hope to see you again soon and the next time as residents in Portugal!”

- Emma D-Conway, UK, September 2005

“Staying here really does revive the spirit and you are able to enjoy a totally relaxing time. It is like being able to stay in a living art gallery as you are able to touch and have sufficient time to appreciate the paintings and the sculptures. The dogs also deserve a mention because they provide such good entertainment. We loved all the quirks and would thoroughly recommend a stay here for people who appreciate the lost art of living. We definitely hope to return.”

- D. Nechanicky, London, June 2005

“Our family has had the distinct pleasure of being the first(self-catering) guests welcomed to Casa do Celeiro by M/M St. George. From our first moment to the last we have enjoyed beautiful and peaceful surroundings in a most spectacular home. Mary and Alan are friendly and unobtrusive – a great combination to find in a couple in whom one rests one’s lodging requirements. The home is full of artistic quirks (in a good way, to be sure!) but it is the long views to the ocean from nearly every window that touch the soul. We shall fondly recall our stay in the Serra de Sintra, in no small measure for the simple charms of the casa we were so fortunate to be in the vanguard in visiting. Until we meet again… ”

- Julie Browning, USA, March 2005

Comments from B&B Guests

“Great spot. We enjoyed the light and the chirping of the birds. I felt I was on top of a tree looking down as an eagle would. Great breakfasts and relaxed atmosphere. The best to you… enjoyed the art gallery.”

- Cristina Delano, Vancouver and Chile, September 2006