Perfect apartment
Review Submitted: October 12, 2009
Date of Stay: October 2009
We (2 adults) stayed in Carla and Simons apartment in October 2009 and found it pretty close to perfect. The description matches the accomodation perfectly. Everything in the apartment looks and feels brand new; the bed is large and comfortable, kitchen and bathroom are fully, if not over-equipped. The view from the balcony to the harbour entrance is very nice. Unfortunetaly we didn't have the time to try the swimming pool and jacuzzi. At the back of the information folder that is in the apartment there is a blank page where Carla and Simon ask for suggestions that could improve the apartment. We spent 5 days trying to think of something to put on that page, but every time we thought we found something missing, we discovered it was provided; so - frustatingly - we had to leave the page blank. The place really is that complete.
A few remarks on Sesimbra and the region: as mentioned here by other reviewers some of the streets are very steep, and indeed the climb from the seaside to the apartment can be tough in the evening after a meal and a few drinks in one of the restaurants at the bottom of the hill. Luckily you can get in through the garages and take the elevator, cutting a couple of floors from the climb. To us Sesimbra doesn't seem very well-suited to people who have a mobility restriction.
We only came to Sesimbra to visit our (step)son who moved there from Belgium, and not being the beach holiday types, we didn't find very much to do in Sesimbra, but we did visit the Castelo and Cabo Espichel (watch your step!), both of which we enjoyed tremendously. The harbour and pier are also worth a walk, and a few words of Portuguese won't go amiss to get you what you want, especially in the small shops and restaurants.
Apart from Sesimbra, we drove to Lisbon 2 days running (spent nearly a whole day at the wonderful Zoo), just take into account if you go there by car, the traffic jams can be quite long in the morning. This brings me to the remark that we feel you really need a car in Sesimbra, unless you plan to spend your days on the beach. And the car brings me to a very nice ride we had to Azeitao and Setubal through the Arrabida Park, where on weekends you can find local people frying their fish on the public BBQ's. Next time we're going to rent a bike to ride through the Park.
Carla and Simon certainly deserve to be mentioned here, they are very nice and correct people who will provide you with all the information and advice you need.
Owner's Response: Thank you Frank,
It was a pleasure to have you as guests, thank you for your excellent review which will help many to decide if Sesimbra is for them.
As a family (including my retired parents) we are also not the beach type, but fell in love with this town, hook, line and sinker, ironically a fishing term which is so appropriate in a famous fishermans town. It is probably the most Portuguese of all the seaside resorts throughout the country, the wonderful Portuguese people continue with daily life around you, a charm you do not see very often. In the Autumn it can appear quieter, but the piece and quiet while walking on the cobbled streets watching life from a bygone age is fascinating, but if it is noise and excitement you want then Sesimbra without a car at this time of year is not for you, nearby Lisbon provides this.
The superb blue flag beach that runs the length of the town is perfect for the beach lovers as well in the Spring, Summer and early Autumn. In the Winter months when day time temperatures are typically around the 20 degrees mark the town is very pieceful during the week, then weekends will have many day trippers from the city arriving. See you both next year,
Simon & Carla.
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marks the location of the property in Costa Azul - Setubal area
