Operating since 2003 and being locally based, AB Villa Rentals is proud of the knowledge and personal service it offers those looking for exclusive holiday villas in Portugal. But as a pocket-sized setup, we also rely on a number of special people who make it all come together behind the scenes.
Mandy & Adrian and the Sausages (The office team)
After 25 years of working for several renowned international real estate companies, luxury tour operators and villa rental companies (the last 15 in London), I moved to Lisbon in 2003 and started working as an independent broker of exclusive holiday rentals in Portugal. My husband Adrian supports me with any background logistic issues as having been born and brought up in Portugal; he also knows this country back to front.
Baltazar (The video creator & his muse)
At the time, Baltazar was still at university studying film and looking for some hands-on professional experience. As a personal friend — and a keen surfer — we thought he would be the perfect person to capture the spirit of our Comporta villas and translate it into short films.
Baltazar brought along a friend to help with the shoot, and Salomé very kindly volunteered to dip in and out of various swimming pools throughout the day, demonstrating our favourite part of the “product”!
Here, the two of them are taking a well-earned break between takes. Baltazar totally nailed it, and you can see his Comporta videos on our YouTube channel.
You can also follow Baltazar’s work on Instagram (@bm.vision)
Paul (A winemaker in the Douro)
Paul produces table wines at his "quinta" on the Douro in Northern Portugal. When guests stay at Quinta do Torto, they are invited to become part of the story of this small family business, where grapes are handpicked and trodden in “lagares” maintaining the heritage and tradition of the region’s winemaking.
Celia and Tania (The housekeeper & cook combo at Quinta da Boavista, Douro Valley)
Celia and Tania have been taking care of guests staying at Quinta da Boavista for over 10 years — their warmth and hardworking temperament are typical of the Douro people. Having grown up watching their own mothers and grandmothers cook in traditional wood ovens, they excel in preparing home-cooked regional dishes on request for guests. Quinta da Boavista also has a wood oven where baked cod or roast kid can be cooked in a time-honoured way.
Jorge (Bike hire for our Comporta guests)
The area around our Comporta villas is great for exploring by bike. You can collect fresh bread from the village first thing in the morning or go off-grid across paddy fields and wild dunes to the beach.
Gilberto (yoga & alternative therapies at your private villa in Comporta or Melides)
What could be better than starting your day with a private yoga session in the peaceful surroundings of your villa?
Available on request when booking one of our Comporta or Melides villas, a private session with Gilberto of Projecto Raiz is the perfect way to slow down, reconnect and settle into holiday mode. Through a combination of relaxation, strengthening and stretching exercises, Gilberto will guide you through a personalised practice designed to release tension, restore energy and leave you feeling balanced and refreshed, start unwinding from your daily worries and enjoy your holiday instead.
Nicola (Tennis coach and chef at Quinta das Laranjeiras)
Sport and food go extremely well together, especially at Quinta das Laranjeiras!
Nicola is a tennis coach with experience working with a range of levels, from primary school age to adults and high-performance players. She also loves food and has trained as a Cordon Bleu chef. Her services as a private chef and tennis coach are available on request as an extra when you book to stay at this most lovely rural villa with a private pool and tennis court, which is also located near golf courses and the Algarve’s stunning west coast.
Nilsa & Rui (The staff at Casa dos Flamingos)
At Casa dos Flamingos a full team of staff discreetly look after guests’ every need: this includes Nilsa, the housekeeper and in-house cook (resident at the property), to cater for breakfast and dinner as well as Rui, the boatman.
After a wholesome breakfast under the Algarve sun, imagine stepping aboard your own private boat and being whisked away to one of the secluded beaches of the Ria Formosa — a spectacular natural park stretching for 60 kilometres along the Algarve coast.
Protected from the open Atlantic by a chain of barrier islands and peninsulas, the Ria Formosa is a wonderfully tranquil world of tidal flats, lagoons and wildlife, providing a sanctuary for more than 200 species of birds. Simply choose your beach, spend the day swimming, exploring or soaking up the sunshine, and your boat will return to collect you when you’re ready — tides permitting. A unique way to discover one of the Algarve’s most unspoilt corners.
Then come back for a long and delicious dinner under the stars – Nilsa prides herself on using locally sourced quality ingredients – and relive the day's adventures with your friends and family!
