History
This house was recovered from the ruins of a rural house from the end of the 19th century, which belonged to the Simões family. The project was conceived by the owner, Mr. José, and can be considered a tribute to its roots.
Inside Casa do Eirado there are unique elements such as a significant collection of popular Portuguese pottery, books on Algarve culture (gastronomy, architecture and popular art), as well as musical treasures in the form of records and LPs.
The kitchen is a separate chapter in this story. It's the place where even those who don't have much culinary skills find inspiration. Books on the most varied culinary topics share the shelf with traditional crockery and collections of old kitchen utensils. This is due to the appreciation and vast gastronomic knowledge of Aida Simões, wife of Mr. José.
Other decorative elements were filled with the talent of Miguel Simões, son of Mr. José, through photographs and drawings.
The house is a good example of the popular rural architecture and vernacular of the Algarve. Lime, wood, stone and terracotta are traditional materials with textures that we can still experiment with. The almost virtual absence of decorative elements in Casa do Eirado takes us to a time and a society where there was no place for the superfluous.
Eirado House in the 70's
an ecological house
The house is ecologically active. Therefore, we always ask our guests to pay attention to their use: water, energy and waste recycling. This is an attitude that we are very proud of and we know that our guests are too.
Rainwater that is captured in a 300 square meter “erado” and stored in an underground cistern is used for domestic consumption (ie tap water). We only have 120 cubic meters of water to spend throughout the year. The water is automatically pumped to the house, being previously filtered and sterilized by UV. The orchard around the house is watered using a drip irrigation system from a surface tank (used as a swimming pool) that receives drinking water from a well.
Electricity is the only energy used in the house, with the exception of two stoves that use wood from the countryside. All lighting was planned for economy: a photovoltaic system produces “clean” energy in quantities greater than consumption. To avoid wasting energy, the original 50 cm thick walls were kept, but now all windows are double-glazed. A 400 liter tank with water heated by solar panels provides hot water for the house.
biodiversity
In an effort to preserve regional biodiversity, the land surrounding Casa do Eirado was designed to preserve the local varieties of almond, fig, plum and carob trees. If you are a fresh food enthusiast, in season, apricots, plums, grapes, blackberries, citrus, pomegranates and quinces are also available at your fingertips. A chicken coop is maintained at one of the edges of the property with chickens, ducks and turkeys that are tended to daily by the property owner.
BEDROOMS
The house has four bedrooms with private bathroom, ceiling fan and air conditioning. One bedroom has two single beds, the other three have double beds; one of the rooms with a double bed has a bathroom prepared for people with reduced mobility.
OUR SERVICES
babysitting service
We can mediate the choice of someone to look after your children while you dine out. (book 48 hours in advance).
wifi
The house has free WiFi available for its guests.
External area
The estate that surrounds Casa do Eirado is large and inviting, full of fruit trees and open spaces – perfect for those who like to spend time outdoors.
Cleaning service
Towels are changed midweek. Bed linen is also changed. In addition, the house has an iron and a washing machine available for our guests.
Pool
In front of the house there is a water tank that was doubled as a swimming pool.
PHOTO GALLERY
THINGS TO DO
Beaches
Several beaches are 5 minutes away by car: Carvoeiro beach, Vale Centeanes beach, Carvalho beach, Benagil beach, Albandeira beach and Marinha beach.
Golf
The golf courses are also accessible: Vale de Pinta (18 holes), Gramacho (18 holes) and Vale de Milho (9 holes).
Urban centers
At approximately the same distance from the house (4 km) we have the main town of Lagoa to the north and the fishing village of Carvoeiro to the south. The nearest supermarket (1.3 km from the estate) has a laundry service and small shops where you can find the main national and foreign newspapers and magazines.