Casa Rosa Painting - 4 nights

This art retreat is based in a renovated 19th century building on a tree-lined avenue in the old town. Low-key bars, restaurants and ice-cream parlours are virtually on the doorstep and within 10 minutes’ walk are the waterfront promenade, the market (designed by Gustav Eiffel) and the ferries which run to the beautiful islands just offshore. This is a great base for our included excursions, to use one of our bikes to discover local villages, or follow an eco-guide in search of wildlife. Casa Rosa is also a boutique retreat where you can slow right down to Portuguese pace: tanning on the roof terrace before strolling out to a café for lunch, or spending all on one of the islands’ superb beaches.

If you live in the USA or Canada – we have direct flights available to Faro. Ask for further details and prices in dollars.

All art retreats are led by experienced artists. Enjoy the small group setting and most of all have fun exploring the medium of paint with an experienced instructor. Spaces are limited and early booking is advised.

Meet the artist –

Sebastian Thommen – Based in Ireland, Sebastian discovered a love for watercolor in his youth, keeping it as a personal passion while pursuing acting. Recently, he embraced painting professionally, focusing on plein air. In 2023, he won the Silver Award and Artists’ Choice Award at the Art in the Open International Plein Air Festival in Wexford.

All 4 night painting retreats include – 3 full days painting tuition, 4 buffet breakfasts, 3 lunches (at hotel or picnic), 3 dinners with ½ bottle of wine per person, double or twin room for sole use and a bed sheets and towel change.

Casa Rosa Boutique Hotel offers 10 smart rooms, and welcomed its first guests in March 2022. The property was fully refurbished over the last few years and has been finished to a high standard. The hotel looks traditional from the outside: pink plaster walls, classical details. Inside, it offers relaxed coastal living using natural materials with a contemporary twist. Exclusive to your painting group.

At ground level there is an open-plan living/dining room which opens onto a tiled courtyard with plunge pool and sociable seating. Upstairs (via a staircase – no lift), is a beautiful furnished roof terrace – a real suntrap! Wherever you are in Casa Rosa, you should be able to pick up the free WiFi.

We include a buffet breakfast spread each morning, 3 light lunches and 3 dinners with wine per week. We run an honesty bar during the day, with a wider drinks range served in the evening, from cocktails to a wine list. There is plenty of choice nearby for nights out, at own expense.

Please note – A new local tourism tax has been introduced by the government in Olhao since June 2023. All guests must pay locally to the hotel €2 per night up to a maximum of 5 nights. This is not included in your holiday costs.

All 10 rooms are of a slightly different size and are simple but stylish, with retro 1960’s colour schemes and cool tones. Each is furnished with a comfortable king-sized bed, bedside tables, chair and desk/dressing table, hair dryer plus a walk-in shower (pool/beach towels provided). Air-con is included. Some rooms have a town view; others look on to the roof terrace or courtyard.

Prices are based on standard ground floor room (rooms 3 and 5), upgrades are available to a ground floor executive room at £15 extra per night, ground floor standard room with shared terrace at extra £15 per night, 1st floor standard rooms at £20 extra per night and deluxe suite at £25 extra per night.

Once Casa Rosa is full we can offer 2 rooms at nearby Hotel Cidade.