See all properties
Entire home

The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature

Photo gallery for The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature

Exterior
Outdoor pool
Property grounds
Interior
Smart TV, fireplace, ping pong, books

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

6 bedrooms10 bathroomsSleeps 1250000 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
    Hot tub
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Breakfast available
    Breakfast available
  • Washer
    Washer

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature

The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature
Enjoy the privacy of your own Villa, combining the splendid gardens along with the inspiring countryside landscape with worthy amenities at The Fox House.
Located in the centre region of Portugal, next to the millenary volcanic thermal area, the six-suite property has space for a large family or group of friends, authentic and charming, ideal location for unique gatherings, boutique events, and live memorable moments.

The Villa
Explore the seven hectares estate, tour the colourful gardens, feel the spring water freshness, enjoy the quietness of the pond with the old olive tree, or simply relax by the infinity pool and take in the sunset views.
Set in a magical green valley with panoramic views of rolling hills, the stone villa offers plenty of space and fantastic amenities to enjoy a unique experience.
Choose from the chaise longues by the pool, a shady spot under the oaks and chestnut trees, or a seat under the pergola for amazing views. By night chat under a starring sky on the patio, look at the stars on the balcony, or listen to the water melody from the spring waters in the gardens.
You'll receive a delicious daily breakfast, but you must save time for a vibrant dinner with our Chef at The Fox Club. For foodies, the traditional BBQ inspires new recipes and moments of joy.
For entertainment, there's high-speed Wi-Fi access, a sound system, and a big screen for a family movie night, and the Ping-Pong table, the volleyball, the mountain bikes, and the hiking tracks are available for the sporty ones. The pond and its island, the gardens, the stone water springs invite mindfulness, meditation and yoga moments. For comfort, there are fireplaces, hunderfloor heating and air conditioning.

Enjoy
Originally a farmhouse in ruins, the Villa has been fully restored to preserve its traditional stone walls; the furnishings and decoration balance between pieces with history and a modern twist with comfort, creating a special welcoming atmosphere.
In the living room, comfortable sofas, wingback chairs in reds and traditional Persa wool carpet are around the cosy fireplace. The dining room is traditional, with a classic design of wooden table and chairs and some unique family furniture. In the fully equipped kitchen, a striking stone balcony invites to enjoy new recipes.
The BBQ and the pergola are the perfect spots for memorable alfresco moments, and The Fox Club for party nights, where the Chef's creativity combines with the tradition of a private acoustic concert of the Portuguese "fado" song or a unique DJ set.

Neighbourhoods
A stay at The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature wouldn't be complete without a stroll around the thermal museum or in the typical "Xisto" stone villages.
Located in the Dão wine region, surrounded by two wine regions Douro with the unique Port wine and Bairrada with the fantastic sparkling wine, invites for a tour and wine tastings.
After you've explored the estate, it's only 10 minutes to the nearest traditional restaurants and groceries in the nearby village.

Discover
On day tours with one-hour driving, you can explore four cities that show the diversity of culture, landscape, and gastronomy.
The cosmopolitan Porto city and the unique Douro valley, Aveiro the Venice of Portugal with the "moliceiro" boats and the beach of Costa Nova with the strip painted houses, Coimbra and the secular university and is traditions, Viseu with this unique heritage, the golf course, nearby is the awarded Paiva Walkaways and 516 Bridge, the world's longest suspension pedestrian bridge.
The international Porto airport is about 1h15 min away.

Awards and affiliations

Eco-certified property
This property participates in Biosphere – a programme that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural heritage and the local economy.

Property manager

Mafalda Carlos

Languages

English, Portuguese

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool
  • Spa tub

Internet

  • Available in the villa: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 6 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 10 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only
  • Up to 25 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas
  • Note from host: Só é permitido fumar no espaço exterior às casas

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • On a river

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Bicycles
  • Kayak
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Snow sports gear
  • Table tennis
  • Water park
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Bicycles
  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Unit size: 538,195 square feet

Similar properties

Miscellaneous
Luxury hilltop retreat with salt-water swimming pool in the Douro Valley
Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Air conditioning
Luxury hilltop retreat with salt-water swimming pool in the Douro Valley

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
1 total (up to 25 kg per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: Obrigatório cumprimento da política Pet Friendly

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Jogos tabuleiro, bicicletas, volleyball, ping-pong

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 99
Note from host: Necessário autorização prévia e orçamento validado
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number 28662/AL

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Fox House Exclusivity Nature Villa
Fox House Exclusivity Nature Villa
Fox House Exclusivity Nature São Pedro do Sul
Fox House Exclusivity Nature
Villa The Fox House - Exclusivity & Nature São Pedro do Sul
São Pedro do Sul The Fox House - Exclusivity & Nature Villa
Villa The Fox House - Exclusivity & Nature
The Fox House Exclusivity Nature
Fox House Exclusivity Nature Villa São Pedro do Sul
Fox House Exclusivity Nature
The Fox House - Exclusivity & Nature Villa
The Fox House - Exclusivity & Nature Sao Pedro do Sul
The Fox House - Exclusivity & Nature Villa Sao Pedro do Sul
The Fox House Exclusivity Nature
The Fox House Private & Nature
The Fox House Exclusivity Nature
The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature Villa
The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature Sao Pedro do Sul
The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature Villa Sao Pedro do Sul

About the area

Map
São Pedro do Sul, Viseu District

What's nearby

  • Termas Gardens - 5 min drive
  • Termas De S. Pedro Do Sul - 5 min drive
  • Termas de Sao Pedro do Sul Town Square - 5 min drive
  • Termas de Sao Pedro do Sul Hot Springs - 6 min drive
  • Passadiços do Paiva - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Restaurante São José - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Quinta da Cavada Unipessoal - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Bom d'Jau - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪A Chave do Cruzeiro - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Lojinha dos Doces - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature located?

This family-friendly Sao Pedro do Sul villa is located on a river, within 2 mi (3 km) of Termas Gardens, Termas De S. Pedro Do Sul and Termas de Sao Pedro do Sul Town Square. Termas de Sao Pedro do Sul Hot Springs is 1.8 mi (2.9 km) away.

The Fox House - Private Villa & Nature Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 29 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 29 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Nancy H., Minnesota

Liked: Cleanliness
Bon Voyage Travel Group
Our group has traveled to several different countries with stays in private villas. the Fox House was by far our favorite location so far! The photos of the property were nothing compared to our first walk around the property with Mafalda and Miguel. Gracious hosts who attended our every need with grace and a friendly smile. The private chef's dinner was amazing, paired with carefully chosen wines for each course. We highly recommend The Fox House for your next special gathering of friends or family.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda F., Rockville, Maryland USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous, gorgeous, wonderful
Twelve family members age 3 to 72 had a fabulous week at the Fox House. Mafalda and Miguel were amazing hosts — immediately responsive and oh so lovely. The photos don’t do the property justice. The grounds are beautifully planted and maintained with the most spectacular blooming hydrangeas! We did loops of 1/3 mile around the grounds for exercise. Breakfast every morning and refreshed rooms made our stay feel like a hotel only way better. What a wonderful week we had!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eric C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful friends and family stay at the Fox House
I am typically a very critical reviewer Where most properties do not meet up to my expectations. This is one where I am not only happy that I made the choice, I would not hesitate to stay here again. The communications were thorough and consistent, the property itself is spectacular, everything is clean, and the friendliness Of the owners of the home is Portuguese amazing. From easy check-in, to wonderful breakfast, to a Private dinner in concert, I highly recommend this to anyone willing to invest in a high-quality memorable Portuguese vacation.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patty D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Holy Week Easter Family 2924
We were family of 16. We enjoyed our stay at The Fox House. Family was accommodated very well in this home. Enjoyed having Chef dinner at the Fox House one evening. The grounds are so very beautiful and well cared for including pool area. Our only regret that the weather was poor cold and 3x average rain which did spoil enjoying the outdoors during most of our stay. The grandkids did polar plung and made the most of it.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Extraordinary Experience
Our experience at The Fox House was extraordinary in different ways, the aggregate of which I rate as one of the best villa rental experiences I’ve had in 17 trips to Italy & Europe spanning 30 years. As the organizer for the gathering of 11 friends for a one week first time stay in the Portugal, my goals were to achieve the following: 1) Become intimate with the food & wine of the Portugal; 2) Gain insight to the region’s history; 3) Understand the nuances of Port wine, explore the Douro & Dao wine regions; 4) Find a villa that was comfortably spacious with excellent cooking facilities and 5) Arrange for cooking lessons and chef prepared dinners focused on preparing dishes special to the Portugal, some of which that would provide “takeaway” recipes to share with friends and family at home. Each of the 5 Stars awarded with this review is well deserved for exceeding expectations in each of the five goals outlined above. All of this would not have been possible without the welcome and active engagement of our wonderful hosts, Mafala and Miguel!!!!. Candidly, they exude a brilliant pride and compassion for Portugal and the experiential sense of place known as The Fox House. Unquestionably, the wonderful outcome for our stay was facilitated and enhanced by their hands on detailed approach to each of our planned events (four) that occurred during our stay. Mafala and Miguel’s excellent planning is a marvelous complement to The Fox House as a grounded place of gathering
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nathalie k.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing place in a wonderful setting
We stayed at the Fox house for 4 nights and couldn’t have picked a better place. Miguel and Mafalda were really welcoming and helped suggest and plan a few day trips in the region which were amazing (particularly the boat tour). The house itself is an hour away from Porto and the Duoro so really well situated to explore the region. We came in and out from Lisbon which is a bit further away but there are plenty of nice places to stop off en route. We can’t wait to come back to Portugal and the Fox house soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family celebration
The Fox House was the most amazing place we have ever stayed. A total 15 out of 10! Our entire family ranging from 4 to 71 years old agrees. Can’t wait to find another reason to celebrate in the beautiful villa of Miguel and Mafalda, best hosts ever!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful house. Relaxing stay
Gorgeous house. Beautiful gardens and pool. Good breakfast everyday with daily cleaning. Miguel and Malfada are very friendly and helpful. House is quite isolated so good to have a car.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Terry R.

Liked: Cleanliness
It was paradise!
Fox House is perfect! It is extremely comfortable with everything you could possibly need. There is so much space for everyone to enjoy, the gardens are beautiful and very tranquil. Each room is very comfortable, charming and individual. Breakfast every morning set out on the patio by Arlette was such a treat and always delicious. And having our rooms tidied was perfect, she was always very friendly and helpful. We were greeted by Miguel and Mafalda and shown around the property, it was lovely to hear the history and how the renovations were done, mostly by themselves. They are so proud of Fox House, and rightly so. Our stay there was very special, thank you both for allowing us to stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rikki C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing views and hosts!
If you are looking at the pictures and thinking “this can’t possibly be real”, it is without a doubt, 100% real. The pictures are a completely accurate representation of the pool area and house. What isn’t captured in the pictures is just how stunning the views are. Everywhere you look, you are in awe, and this feeling didn’t go away after 10 days. Miguel and Mafalda were the best hosts we could have asked for. They answered all of our questions leading up to our stay and when we showed up at 11am to store our bags while we waited for check in, they provided us with activity and restaurant suggestions. We also worked with them to have an evening with a private chef which was amazing! On our last day they even brought us a meal of traditional suckling pig. We couldn’t have been happier with our experience! We travelled as a group of 12, including 9 adults, 2 toddlers and a newborn. For us, the location was a bit more remote than was convenient, simply because of the children’s dinner schedule. So while planning the trip I expected us to go out for most dinners, while in reality we ended up cooking every evening. Our group enjoyed cooking on the outdoor barbecue and we were amazed at how affordable and high quality the groceries were that we got from the local butcher shop and market. The high speed Internet is mainly accessible from the Fox Club and outdoors. This worked out very well for our group as the adults could stream from Netflix or other services in the Fox Club after the young children had gone to bed. The Fox Club experience has all the comforts of a private villa and all the comforts of a 5 star resort wrapped into one. I would recommend it in a heartbeat, in fact I already have, and I would definitely return!
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

John B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Spectacular Site for a Group Vacation
First, about us: a group of 6 American couples (12 people) who have traveled extensively but had never traveled as a complete group before. Two of us were celebrating 60th birthdays. We spent 3 days in Lisbon, then 5 days at Fox House, then we all split up for separate travels. We used Fox House as a base for day trips to Porto, Douro, and hiking. The location of Fox House, which might seem a little rural, is a great central point for most things in northern Portugal. We asked Mafalda and Miguel to suggest chefs for 3 of our 5 nights. If you are like us, you are probably wondering what the Fox House will be like (does it match the pictures?) and whether the chefs they suggest will really be worth the cost. The house is wonderful. Mafalda and Miguel have made excellent choices in renovating Fox House. Each bedroom can be equipped with single beds or doubles (we chose all doubles), and each has its own bathroom. Oh yes, the layout: there's a main house with 4 bedrooms, an additional villa with 2 more bedrooms, and a separate Fox Club. Fox Club has a professional kitchen that sits behind a large entertainment room with couches, a bar, and a dining table. We LOVED the ability to gather as a group. In a hotel you lose that—but at Fox House you always have ways to celebrate together. In addition, the house and grounds are so large and diverse that practically everyone could find a little spot or nook to read or work alone when needed. Our total vacation time varied by couple, but in general was about 12 days for this trip—only 5 of which were spent at Fox House. However, it's the group's consensus that our best days were spent at Fox House. As well as our best meals. The two chefs (Luis and Henrique) took turns creating the best meals we had in Portugal. While some portion of their success might be attributed to the setting (the relaxed Fox House atmosphere), the food was simply outstanding. I honestly don't remember a weak course that either chef served. In typical Portuguese fashion the meals were advertised very simply, but in practice were quite elaborate, and had great wine pairings. We have some serious “foodies” in our group, and everyone was thoroughly delighted by the meals. Mafalda and Miguel were super attentive to all our needs, and although they (and the housekeeper) stay out of sight by default, we found them so delightful that we dragged them into our party when we could. Fox House was a delight. Hearty recommendation!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gordon T.

Liked: Cleanliness
The Fox House - Portugal
The property was excellent and better than advertised. The host was equal to the house. We enjoyed the house which had all the amenities needed. The grounds were well planned and maintained. Highly recommended.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Precious U.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic weekend!
Staying at the Fox House was quite an amazing experience. We decided to come here for a bridal weekend and everyone was impressed by the property, it is absolutely beautiful and looks exactly like the pictures. We all wished we could stay longer! The owners were very friendly and welcoming and also helpful, such great hosts. I definitely recommend it to anyone.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Karen F., USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful property, wonderful hosts. Highly recommend for couples and families. We loved it!
After enjoying the Viking River Cruise from Porto for a week, we were thrilled to have a home base at The Fox House close to Sao Pedro do Sul. The owners, Miquel and Mafalda, met us at The Fox Club House for champagne before taking us on a tour of the property and house. Each room had an en-suite and each entertainment area had restrooms available. The view was phenomenal. We enjoyed many mornings out on the deck overlooking the valley and pool. Each time we went outdoors, I took my camera and discovered new photo opportunities. The housekeeper made us breakfast every morning ( cold cuts and pastries). It was a very much appreciated beginning to our day. She cleaned up our rooms while we ate and drank coffee, and afterwards cleared the table. She was a pleasure to be around. We traveled daily to many of the suggested communities in the area. It took less than an hour to travel to Costa Nova, where we enjoyed the restaurant Nori, and bought sardines and red fish from the fish market to cook on the outside fire Barbeque. So Much Fun!!! Thank- you for a wonderful 5 nights. We did not want to leave. Also, we enjoyed one fantastic dinner at the Fox House where the owner and chef from The Palace Restaurant served fantastic prawn salad and monkfish and prawn stew ( requested by us). Cheers! Fisher’s, Pickering’s and Roozen’s Washington State
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Junelly R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!
We had an unforgettable time at the Fox House. Everything was amazing! The house, the spaces, the weather! Mafalda and Miguel are excellent hosts! We would love to come back to the Fox House.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Anne H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enchanting Villa
Stunning villa with amazing attention to detail. Mafalda and Miguel were there to welcome us with champagne and to show us around which was so nice after a long drive from the UK. The spacious bedrooms and bathrooms were cool (air con) and furnished beautifully. The swimming pool was clean and the sun beds were very comfortable with each having an additional pool towel. The pool area including additional shower and toilet facilities. Superb outside BBQ area adjacent to outside dining area. The "Fox Club" included a great party room with dining, seating and large TV screen for sports enthusiasts. We had a superb chef who was able to use the additional professional kitchen. Mafalda was kind enough to organise the chef who was exceptional and provided us with the most amazing meal. The housekeeper was a gem. We were served with the most delicious breakfast every morning, something we were not expecting. We were spoilt with superb service, more like a five star hotel ! Thank you, it truly was the most relaxing holiday and we would have no hesitation in recommending to our friends and family.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tim M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Treated like Family
What a wonderful experience we had at the fox house. From the moment we arrived with a champagne reception until our last breakfast everything was simply perfect. The house and surrounding property are impeccably maintained. The owners truly thought of everything to make their guests have a wonderful experience. Thank you for a memorable stay at your spectacular home! Cheers! Tim and Family
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Gabriel D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfection!!!
The Fox House is perhaps the most beautiful home we’ve ever stayed in. The ancient stone walls, the gorgeous antiques, the bedrooms each with an en suite bathroom are all perfection. The grounds are beautiful. The pool is great. We loved waking up to the amazing breakfast spread every morning on the outdoor table. The Fox Club (an adjacent building) was fun to retire to at night for games. The location is very rural and peaceful. About an hour from Porto. We really loved visiting the hot spring spa and swimming in the natural swimming hole at Poco Azul. But the house was so great we didn’t even want to leave.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Gretchen B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful
The fox house far exceeded all of our expectations. The location was peaceful, beautiful and absolutely perfect. We all wished we could have stayed longer. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. Miguel and Mafalda were the perfect hosts very kind and helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Chris B., New York City, NY USA

The Fox House felt like home
From the moment we arrived at the Fox House, we felt that we had arrived at home, not just a vacation rental. Mafalda & Miguel were there to greet us with warm smiles and hugs after our long day driving up from Lisbon. Like cousins from across the ocean, the hosts welcomed us with sincerity and charm, and instantly made us feel that their beautiful home would indeed be OUR home for the week. And what a magnificent home it is! Spotlessly clean, relentlessly tranquil, and painstakingly decorated to the highest standard, the Fox House is one of the rare vacation rentals that is better in person than described online. Our group of 9 (4 adults, 5 teenagers) had more than enough room to spread out and find plenty to do, whether sitting on the patio with a wonderful Dao produced wine, taking a dip in the perfect infiniti pool, or knocking off 18 holes on the quaint miniature golf course, there was something for everyone. And the notcurnal visits by the epinomous "fox" made the fantasy complete. The service provided by the household staff was impeccable. Somehow breakfast got served, rooms refreshed, and dishes removed and cleaned as though by a ghost. We could not believe how unobtrusive and efficient these hard working people were. Mafalda & Miguel helped arrange 3 amazing dinners for us at the house, in addtion to an unforgettable night of live fado music and dancing, that became a life highlight for some normally hard to satisfy young poeple in our group. The attention to detail and insistance on providing the most authentic experience of Portuguese life, cuisine, and culture by the owners is so unusual that it became the most memorable part of our vacation in an utterly enchanting country. We left the Fox House feeling that we had really made new friends who we honestly hope to meet again. It is with some reluctance that I speak to glowingly of our experience at the Fox House, since it is one of those places you hope goes undiscovered by the masses: a secret to be held close and guarded. But Mafalda & Miguel deserve to become known by as many people as possible. I know my life is now better for having met them. So will yours. Go to the Fox House and see for yourself!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Shampa N., London, UK

Fox House lives up to description of 'Exclusivity & Nature'. Perfect holiday setting!
I was blown away when I saw The Fox House as it is even more amazing than what you see in the website photos. The descriptions of the house and its setting are not exaggerated. It really is an exclusive place to have a holiday and to be close to nature. Perfect for unwinding or to have a social event, both of which were on my agenda. Whether there are children in the group or only adults, I would say the Fox House would suits all. You find it hard to tear yourself away from the house as there is enough to do within the grounds but if you did want to explore the area, there’s enough to see and explore by foot or within reasonable driving distance. The living experience is enhanced by the wonderful owners who really make you feel at home. Highly recommended! I, for one, would consider going back again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Jacques A., Ottawa, Canada

An amazing five day stay for our family at the Fox House
Our stay at the Fox House (Aug 9-14, 2016) was incredible as the house and grounds were stunning. It provides a scenic and serene view of the Dao region. We found the house very spacious. The garden and grounds were well kept. The trickling spring water in the nearby water sheds gave some calming and relaxing atmosphere near the pool. The pool was well maintained, and is an ample size for any large group. The property had many outdoor sitting and lounging areas which were all very nice. After returning from an afternoon outing, we enjoyed relaxing outside listening to music on the outdoor sound equipment. The kids really enjoyed the sound system since they could play DJ. The location of the Fox House was ideal for our day trips. It was a great central hub to visit local and surrounding locations such as Douro, Aveiro and Porto. We principally used the house to rest in the mornings and evenings while we explored the region during the afternoons. The house also had both a full kitchen and outdoor cooking area. Some evenings, we made our diner at the house. However, for those wishing to go out for diner, very good restaurants recommended by the hosts are located just a few kilometres away in the town of Sao Pedro do Sul. For breakfast, it was provided daily. It was exceedingly generous and delicious. Our gracious hosts, Miguel and Mafalda, were outstanding in providing us with exceptional service and friendly conversations. They definitely made our stay more than enjoyable. They were eager to provide us with any assistance. We were able to relax, and spend quality time with our two children at the Fox House. We will highly recommend the Fox House to our friends and family for future trips to Portugal. We look forward to booking this accommodation in our next trip to the region. Jacques and Josette Ottawa, Canada
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2016

10/10 Excellent

Luis R., Lisboa Portugal

Um Paraiso
Passámos uns dias nesta maravilhosa casa em S. Pedro do Sul. Só posso dizer que tudo é perfeito, a casa, o enquadramento paisagistico, o pequeno almoço e a simpatia dos propietários Mafalda e Miguel.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Nelson G.

Fim de semana reconfortante
Experiência fantástica.... A Quinta está muito bem localizada, muito cuidada e com imensas actividades. A casa tem todas as condições para passar uns dias sem qualquer necessidade de se deslocar dali. Excelente decoração. Obrigado pela simpatia da Mafalda e do José Miguel que de forma muito discreta proporcionaram uma fantástica hospedagem. A repetir certamente.. .

10/10 Excellent

Michel R.

Magnifique !!!!!
Magnifique !!!! Nous avons adoré notre séjour à la Maison Fox. Tout était parfait et même plus ! L'endroit est magnifique et impeccable. Nous hôtes nous ont reçus avec beaucoup de charmantes attentions: mousseux à notre arrivée et déjeuner de rêve le matin. Nous avons également pu échanger avec eux sur le Portugal ce qui nous a charmé. Je recommande à tous cet endroit et j'espère pouvoir y retourner ! Merci à vous et bonne continuité dans votre beau projet.