Villa Leila is a beautiful villa overlooking the sea that is owned by the Portuguese Royal family. On the western part of the Algarve, the house is perched on the cliffs of Ferragudo. It faces west over the bay of Lagos and towards Sagres and the setting sun. The view is of the peaceful waters of the Algarve coast and yachts making their way from the marinas and of fishing boats passing in front of the house. Across the wide estuary is a distant view along Praia Rocha beach that is well known to the many visitors to the Algarve region of Portugal. Villa Royale has been completely refurbished and updated to modern standards, including internet WIFI access. There are 9 bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, sleeping 19 persons spread over three floors of the building. The original furniture has been restored, and the bedrooms have been refurbished in a more modern style but retain the original beds, which incorporate the family coat of arms. Outside there are extensive terraces and a swimming pool overlooking the sea. A downstairs bar and toilet are available from the pool which also has a poolside shower. The property consists of the following: Ground Floor Main drawing room overlooking the terrace and with sea view, boasts a beautiful grand piano. Entrance hall and cloakroom. Double doors leading to a private chapel. Formal dining room seating 8 at the main table, and a further 8-10 on two circular tables. Breakfast room which is usually used for children-s meals. The terrace has a retractable sun awning and tables for outside eating, for 16 people. Music room with a CD player and comfortable chairs. Recently modernized kitchen. Sleeping Accommodation Two double bedrooms with en-suite shower/bath rooms. Sea view and doors leading out to the terraces. One twin bedroom, with en-suite shower/bath room. Sea view and doors leading out to the terraces. One twin bedroom with garden view and doors out to a terrace with river view. Lower ground floor Television room. Bar, Cloakroom. Triple childrens bedroom (narrow beds) en-suite and with sitting area. Doors leading out from the sitting area onto the pool terrace. For parties of 10 persons or less, the ground floors only may be used. First floor One twin bedroom with en-suite bath/shower rooms. Garden view. One double bedroom with en-suite bath/shower rooms. Foldaway sofa bed, only suitable for young children. Garden view. One twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom and sitting room and leading to a further twin bedroom. Sea view and doors leading out onto a terrace. Hair-dryers available in every bathroom. Play room for children in the former garage, with table tennis. Swimming pool is 12.5 metres by 5 metres and the maximum depth is 1,40m. It has built in steps at the shallow end. Laundry room with two washing machines. Ironing room. Cots and high chairs: 2 cots and 2 high chairs are available for children. The house has a lift which can be switched on upon arrival and departure (luggage) and switched off during clients stay, for safety reasons (children). The owners of the house are non-smokers and it is suggested that those wanting to smoke should use the downstairs television room outside on the terraces and balconies. Satellite TV: CNN, Skynews, Panda, Cartoon, Eurosport, Hollywood, Odisseia, Bloomberg, Mtv, Nat. Geographic, Fashion TV, People+Arts WIFI internet access available on request. Staff D.Regina, the housekeeper, arranges cleaning of the house on weekdays and has been employed at the house for over 25 years and was housekeeper to the Princess until her death. There is also a gardener. Sr. Porfirio. Resident house keeper and gardener House cleaning on weekdays, from 09:30 to 16:30 (D. Regina). D. Reginas primary job is to clean the house and ensure the washing of the house linen. All bedrooms, public areas and bathrooms are cleaned and tidied once a day (weekdays). Gardener (Sr. Porfirio) from 09:30 to 14:00, on weekdays. Swimming pool and terraces are cleaned weekdays, from 07:00 to 08:00 Meals: D. Regina or her staff may prepare simple dinners on alternate week days, with payment for time. Expenses are a local arrangement direct to her. Clients must shop themselves. Telephone: The house has an automatic internal telephone system with the cost of the calls being logged automatically. Payment to be made before departure, direct to D. Regina. A deposit is required for the use of the telephone and requests for additional payments may be made if usage is high. Central heating: the house has central heating for winter use. Solar pool heating available at a supplemental charge. Air-conditioning - During the houses restoration, it was considered that air-conditioning is unnecessary, as the house has the benefit of the cooling winds from the sea and the Portuguese trade winds. The housekeeper adjusts the shutters to avoid direct sunlight, keeping the interior cool.
