[gallery ids="1061,1060,1059"] A Q&A with Ali S one of our new Fitness Instructors. For more information on the new staff please visit www.wildviewretreat.com/the-team Ali what inspired you to get into all this? I have my parents to thank for this! As a kid I was always playing sport...
[gallery ids="969,970,971,972,973,974,975,976,977,978"] The old pool was handmade nearly 30 years ago and it needed a serious upgrade! Given the pristine natural setting of the pool and 360 degree wild views we weren’t that keen to have a standard Algarve pool lined with blue tiles. We opted...
[gallery ids="734,735,736,737,738,739,740,741,742"] After years of working as an environmental consultant overseeing construction projects, we were determined to complete the renovation of Wild View Retreat adhering to a Zero Waste Policy. We planned to create new land terraces by reusing all the inert material (bricks, tiles, concrete...
[gallery ids="723,724,725,726,727,728,729,730,731,732"] In December two great friends Ryan and Dave came out to help construct a large deck to provide space for outdoor activity and to build yurts. My close friend Ryan has lived in his very own hand made yurt in Dorset for 4 years...
[gallery ids="714,718,719,720,721,808,809"] The old barn on the approach to the retreat was knocked down in November 2017 to make way for a brand new yoga and fitness studio. This stage of the project was really exciting as the location lends itself to the most breath-taking uninterrupted...
[gallery ids="691,692,693,694,695,696,697,698,699"] Sadly a year after our attempts to save the retaining white wall around the retreat, it became evident our efforts had been in vain. The original wall, made out of lightweight bricks just weren’t strong enough to endure yearly weathering and the natural subtle...
[gallery ids="679,681,682,683,684,685,686,687,688"] Once the solid concrete roof had been laid over the top of the rooms, the dream for the huge 260m2 roof terrace started to be realised. Those first few steps up onto the roof were an amazing feeling. The 360° uninterrupted views take your...
[gallery ids="668,669,670,671,672,673,674,675,676,677"] Once the basement was built another level of concrete was placed over the top of it to form the base for the guest cottages. The ground level was extended all the way over towards the Manor House to accommodate eight double bedrooms with ensuite...
[gallery ids="658,659,660,661,662,663,664,665"] Once the old derelict house had been demolished the excavation of the basement and massage treatment could begin. The basement is an essential place for storing equipment and utilities to support the functioning of the retreat (boilers, solar system batteries, heat pumps, electric boards,...
[gallery ids="648,649,650,651,652,653,654,655"] We wanted to provide a private space for visiting staff so decided to convert the old garage into a private cottage. This would provide the opportunity to bring in international staff to provide expertise at the retreat and retire every evening to their own...
[gallery ids="638,639,640,641,642,643,644,645"] After many months of delays and refusals permission was finally granted to proceed to the main phase of the project in the Summer 2017. After a year of uncertainty it was a huge weight off our minds that the authorities were happy with the...
[gallery ids="628,629,630,631,632,633,634,635"] At the same time as preparing the planning application for the main project we embarked on restoring the private little cottage to turn it our home. It didn’t require planning permission as we were not extending or knocking down walls but it was going...
[gallery ids="617,618,619,620,621,622,623,624,625"] The large exterior white retaining wall supports the land on which the property sits was in very bad condition from the outset. Years of neglect and gentle land subsidence meant that part of the wall had already collapsed when the property was purchased. Before...
[gallery ids="606,607,608,609,610,611,612,613,614"] Renovation work got underway immediately after the sale. We wanted to restore and renovate all the buildings but sadly the only two that could be saved were the Manor House and private cottage. But these could be worked on whilst we waited for the...
[gallery ids="594,595,596,597,598,599,600,601,602"] We first set our eyes on the Manor House and abandoned village in December 2015, after several road trips through Spain and Portugal that year. The buildings were a ruin and on the verge of collapse. But the location and ambience was incredible and...