Villa Ella | 5-Bedroom Villa in Olhos de Agua Albufeira

Olhos de Água translates to “eyes of water,” and standing on the terrace of Villa Ella, you understand why. This five-bedroom luxury villa rental in Olhos de Água, Portugal commands views across the Atlantic that redefine what a family getaway can be. Ten guests can spread across multiple floors, each with their own ensuite bathroom, while the Algarve’s golden coastline sits just a two-minute walk away.

Inside Villa Ella

Villa Ella sleeps 10 guests across 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, distributed across two thoughtfully designed floors. This arrangement means every adult and older child has privacy—a rare luxury in group villa rentals.

Ground Floor: The main living zone opens with a fully equipped kitchen featuring dishwasher, microwave, oven, hob, integrated fridge-freezer, and coffee machine. Patio doors flood natural light into the utility room, which houses washing machine and tumble dryer—essential for longer stays. The formal dining area accommodates 14 seated guests around a substantial table. The lounge functions as the social hub, fitted with LCD television, DVD player, iPod docking station, CD player, and PlayStation 3 console. From here, a winter garden lounge provides an additional retreat space. Three ensuite bedrooms occupy the ground floor: one with a queen bed and shower ensuite with twin washbasins; another with twin beds and a full bath; a third featuring a queen bed, television, and shower ensuite with bidet and toilet. A standalone bathroom with washbasin and toilet serves additional guests. The games room—air-conditioned and stocked with a fridge-freezer, pool table, table football, PlayStation 3 console, and television—becomes the evening gathering point for families seeking entertainment beyond the beach.

First Floor: Two additional ensuite bedrooms crown the upper level. The first offers a queen bed with television and shower ensuite including twin washbasins and bidet. The second bedroom features a double bed with twin mattresses, television, and bathroom with full bath and twin washbasins. Both rooms benefit from independent climate control and bright natural light.

Every bedroom includes air-conditioning, and every bathroom features hairdryers. Wi-Fi reaches throughout the property, allowing you to stay connected or, more likely, ignore it entirely while the sea beckons outside.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The grounds of Villa Ella span manicured lawns bordered by mature gardens that create natural shade pockets ideal for afternoon siestas. Two swimming pools anchor the outdoor experience: the main heated pool measures 13 meters by 5 meters with a depth range of 0.4 to 1.5 meters, accommodating both serious swimmers and cautious waders. A separate children’s pool sits nearby, warmed to the same temperature—no child shivers in the transition from shallow to main water. The heated pool system extends the swimming season well beyond summer months, allowing November and March swims that would otherwise be too cool.

Three distinct dining and entertaining zones transform outdoor living into a lifestyle. A covered terrace steps directly from the lounge, ideal for morning coffee when the sun hits the eastern exposure. A separate covered dining area shelters evening meals from sudden Algarve wind gusts. A pergola-shaded sitting area provides the third option—part shelter, part open air. A built-in barbecue and sink eliminate the need to shuttle food to and from the kitchen, transforming grilling into social theatre rather than a solitary task.

A private garage and driveway ensure secure parking. Pool towels, children’s toys, and PlayStations throughout the property signal that the owners understand what multi-generational groups actually need.

Location: Olhos de Água and the Surrounding Area

Olhos de Água occupies a privileged position in central Algarve, approximately 12 kilometers east of Albufeira and 40 kilometers west of Faro. This former fishing village has retained its character despite tourism growth, meaning the waterfront still features working fishing boats alongside restaurants. The main Olhos de Água beach stretches 500 meters of golden sand, backed by dramatic rust-colored cliffs that photograph beautifully at sunset. Immediately to the west lies Praia da Oura, equally stunning and slightly quieter outside peak season.

Local dining centers around fresh seafood. Restaurante O Cabaz da Praia sits directly on the beach, serving grilled fish and traditional Portuguese cataplana stews. Casa Velha, located in the village center, offers contemporary Portuguese cuisine in a converted villa setting. For casual meals, the waterfront strip contains two dozen cafés and casual restaurants where you can watch fishermen return with their catches.

Olhos de Água village itself offers a supermarket, pharmacy, and several boutique shops selling Portuguese crafts and clothing. The nearby Vilamoura Marina, 8 kilometers south, provides boat rental, fishing charters, and upscale shopping. Albufeira town, 12 kilometers west, serves as the major shopping and entertainment center with multiple supermarkets, markets, and an active nightlife scene.

For wine enthusiasts, the Lagos Wine School sits 25 kilometers south near Lagos, offering tastings and educational sessions in the region’s acclaimed wine valleys. The Via Algarviana walking trail passes through countryside 3 kilometers inland, offering 300 kilometers of marked routes through cork forests and almond groves. Ponta da Piedade, the Algarve’s most photographed rock formations, lies 30 kilometers southwest near Lagos—golden sandstone pillars rising from turquoise water, best explored by boat tour departing from nearby beaches.

Faro Airport, 40 kilometers east, receives direct flights from most European cities with transfer time approximately 40 minutes by car. Lisbon lies 240 kilometers north—a 2.5-hour drive for those combining villa time with Portugal’s capital.

Best months: April through May and September through October offer warm weather (22-27°C), calm seas, and minimal crowds. July and August bring peak tourism, 30°C+ heat, and crowded beaches—manageable for those with private pool access. December through February sees cooler weather (15°C) and occasional rain, yet fewer tourists and lower prices. Explore our luxury villas in Europe and browse our full collection of Algarve properties. For destination inspiration, consult our Portugal travel guide.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Extended families with mixed ages thrive here. The configuration allows teenagers privacy via upper-floor bedrooms while toddlers benefit from the dedicated children’s pool on the ground level. Grandparents can rest while parents manage young children, with the games room providing quiet entertainment when beach time feels excessive.

Multi-generational groups specifically benefit from the six bathrooms—no negotiation over shower timing. Adult friend groups of 8-10 people splitting the rental find the games room and pool table compete successfully against nightlife.

Couples seeking family visits gain the flexibility to offer arriving relatives their own bedroom and ensuite without surrendering privacy themselves. This villa transforms “the relatives are coming” from a budget panic into a genuine luxury experience.

Remote workers with flexible schedules find the heated pool, garden spaces, and strong Wi-Fi create a workable extended retreat environment. The Olhos de Água location balances accessibility to amenities with genuine escape from urban bustle.

Practical Information

Villa Ella accommodates 10 guests maximum, distributed as: 4 double bedrooms and 1 twin bedroom. For groups under 6 guests, 3 bedrooms open with potentially lower rates; groups of 8 guests utilize 4 bedrooms. The full 5-bedroom configuration opens for 10-guest bookings. Low-season discounts of up to 5% apply for 8-guest bookings with one bedroom closed; contact Excellence Luxury Villas directly for current pricing and terms.

Faro Airport, 40 kilometers away, connects directly via Portuguese highways with 40-50 minute transfer time. Ground-level guest services include maid service (available at additional cost), Wi-Fi connectivity throughout, hairdryers in every bathroom, pool heating, and PlayStation 3 consoles in both lounge and games room. Linen and pool towels provision comes standard. The utility room with washer and tumble dryer eliminates laundry service dependency for extended stays.

Nearby Continente supermarket sits 1 kilometer toward Albufeira, stocking groceries and essentials. Check-in time operates at 3 PM typically, with flexibility possible subject to availability.

Frequently Asked Questions about Villa Ella

How many guests does Villa Ella sleep?

Villa Ella sleeps 10 guests maximum across 5 bedrooms: 4 double bedrooms and 1 twin bedroom. Rental terms allow configuration adjustments for smaller groups—3 bedrooms for groups of 6 or fewer, 4 bedrooms for groups of 8—enabling rate optimization.

What is the nearest airport to Villa Ella in Olhos de Água?

Faro Airport lies approximately 40 kilometers east of Villa Ella, with typical transfer time of 40-50 minutes by car or arranged shuttle service. Direct European flights arrive daily during peak season.

What is the best time of year to rent Villa Ella?

April through May and September through October provide ideal conditions: water temperature reaches 18-20°C (suitable for swimming), air temperatures hover between 22-27°C, and tourist crowds remain manageable. July and August maximize heat and sunshine (30°C+) but attract peak-season pricing and beach crowding—the private pool becomes most valuable. Winter months (December-February) offer quiet seasons with rainfall and 15°C temperatures, suitable for those prioritizing solitude over beach swimming.

Is Villa Ella suitable for families with children?

Yes. The dedicated heated children’s pool eliminates depth anxiety for young swimmers. Main beach at Olhos de Água offers protected swimming with lifeguard coverage during summer months. The games room, PlayStation consoles, pool table, and table football occupy older children during downtime. Praia da Oura, 2 kilometers away, features calm waters and family-friendly facilities. The Algarve Zoo near São Brás de Alportel, 35 kilometers inland, provides day-trip activities. Maid service availability reduces household management burden for traveling parents.

What is included in the rental price at Villa Ella?

Included amenities encompass: heated swimming pools, Wi-Fi internet throughout, air-conditioning in all bedrooms and main living spaces, linen and pool towels, PlayStation 3 consoles, television and entertainment systems, kitchen equipment (dishwasher, oven, microwave, coffee machine), and utility room access with washing machine and tumble dryer. Pool heating extends the swimming season significantly. Maid service availability provides additional housekeeping at supplementary cost.

What restaurants and shops are near Villa Ella?

Olhos de Água village, a 2-minute walk away, contains Restaurante O Cabaz da Praia (beachfront seafood, directly on sand), Casa Velha (contemporary Portuguese cuisine), and approximately 20 waterfront cafés. The village supermarket stands 200 meters from Villa Ella. Continente hypermarket, 1 kilometer toward Albufeira, offers full grocery selection including international products. Vilamoura Marina, 8 kilometers south, features upscale restaurants and shopping. Albufeira town center, 12 kilometers west, provides major commercial shopping, fresh fish markets, and diverse dining from casual to fine dining establishments.