Algarve Holiday Information

Booking Conditions
Please click here to view our booking conditions

Renting our Villas & Apartments
Our villas and apartments are rented for a minimum of 1 week, and subject to availability, can be rented for any number of nights eg. 10,11 14 nights. 

The prices shown on our website are the rental only prices dependent on your arrival date at the property and your duration.

The property rental or hotel costs shown on our website do not include flights, car hire or transfers, but we can book these for you on your behalf.

The rental commences at 2pm on your arrival day, and you must vacate the property by 10am on your departure day, unless otherwise agreed by your local property manager.

Rental Only Prices include:
1. Accommodation as reserved
2. Services of our local property manager or hotel during your stay.

Flights from all UK airports
Flights from all UK airports Due to the enormous number of flights to the Algarve each week, with a huge variation in prices, it is now impossible to include a flight in our prices.

We now have technology which enables you to carry out ONE SEARCH on our website which gives you all available flights & prices on your departure day.

Don’t waste your time trawling all the airline websites for the best prices, do it on our website, or let us do it for you – quickly 

Our technology will not only find the best prices, but also the most convenient timings for you.

Although the main changeover days in the Algarve are Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, there are now excellent daily scheduled and low cost services from Gatwick, Manchester and other airports so we can accept bookings on any day of the week, but subject to existing villa and apartment bookings. Hotel bookings can start and end any day subject to availability.

Just a few minutes on our website can give you information on all available flights to the Algarve, and save you many hours and much frustration by trawling through airline websites.

Call us for Flights 01204 595 222
We search all airlines for the best deals

Golden Rules for Saving Money
1. Try to book early for the best deals, especially flight prices. We take advance bookings up to 18 months in advance. 2. Try to be flexible with your departure day. Consider a mid week departure if a property is available. Avoid peak dates if possible such as half terms and August

Booking Your Own Flights
If you book your own flights, you must take full responsibility should anything go wrong with your travel arrangements, such as a cancelled or severely delayed flight Please be aware that for those who book their own Low Cost Flights, and rent a villa or apartment from an individual owner or unlicensed agency, there is no financial protection, and if the airline or the property owner ceases trading or lets you down, you will loose your all your money.

Your Financial Protection
By booking with the Algarve Agency, you are fully covered against the financial failure of ourselves as we are fully bonded members of both ABTA Retail and Tour Operators classes. In addition, all low cost and no frills airline flights which we book on your behalf, are automatically protected by Airline Failure Insurance which we include in the cost of your flights.

Accommodation or Rental Only holidays on this website and in our brochure are protected by our ABTA bond under our ABTA number V8834

Visit ABTA for a list of benefits and financial protection provided by our ABTA membership.

The air holidays on this website and in our brochure are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 3205

Local Property Managers / Representatives
All of our villas and apartments have local property managers who are available to assist you with any problems you may have, or to give your information on local facilities, restaurants and shops etc. We find that most of our guests are experienced and discerning independent travellers who don’t need too much looking after, but our local property managers can be contacted 24 hours per day should you need them.

Maid Service
All our properties have Maid Service. Villas with Private Pools will normally have Maid Service 5 days per week, but some smaller ones only 3 days. Maid Service in apartments varies, but twice per week is normal. In some complexes, it may even be 5 days per week. Hotels offer a daily maid service.

Swimming Pools
Most villas and apartments have swimming pools, either private or shared by other apartments. Because they are not public pools, most will not have a lifeguard. Please be aware of this when you take young children to a property with a swimming pool.

Swimming Pools with Salt Water Purification Systems
Some of our villas have the advanced salt water chlorination system which is generally considered much better than the traditional method of adding granulated chlorine every week. The salt water system changes salt, which is periodically added to the pool water, into a natural chlorine, which is different from the manufactured chlorine used in most swimming pools. The water is much softer and clearer, and guests do not suffer from red eyes etc. which is associated with normal pools. The salt content is very small, and most people will not notice, but it is very good for the skin.

Breakage/Heating/Telephone Deposits
Most villas require a deposit against breakages, electricity for heating/air conditioning, and telephone use. You will be advised of the amount at the time of booking. This will be paid with the cost of your holiday, ten weeks before travelling, and will be refunded within 10 days of your return, less any unpaid items.

Satellite TV
When a villa or apartment description includes satellite TV, this may be via one of several systems, and not necessarily Sky TV. Several satellite systems are available in Portugal including Sky, Eurtelsat, free to air stations and cable TV. Most systems (but not all) will receive some BBC programmes, Eurosport, CNN News, and some children's programmes. Some villas will have Sky or BBC programmes, and this is normally mentioned in the villa description. All our villas are privately owned, and the particular satellite system that owners may install is beyond our control, and therefore the mention of satellite TV in the villa description is no guarantee that you will be able to receive all or any of the channels you would normally view at home. Satellite TV is not an integral part of your holiday cost, but an additional free item which may be of use to you.

Heating/Air Conditioning/Pool Heating
During the winter period 1st November to 31st March, unless otherwise stated, an allowance is included in your holiday cost for normal consumption of electricity. This will be advised to you in units of electricity on arrival at your villa. Any electricity used in excess of this, will be charged to you locally. The meter will be read before, and at the end of your holiday. Logs for use on fires and stoves may be purchased locally. For villas with air conditioning, a similar allowance will be given in the summer, so it is in your own interests to ensure economical use of air conditioning units. Pool heating costs vary with each villa, depending on whether it is gas or electricity, the size of the pool and the outside temperature. A definite cost will be quoted to you at the time of booking. In the unlikely event of a pool heating failure, the cost of heating the pool will be refunded for each day when the heating was not working. No further refund can be considered.

Our Opinion Rating
In each villa or apartment description, we have given our assessment, by means of a star rating, the general standard of the property, taking into consideration facilities available to guests, the position related to proximity to a resort and local beaches and any views enjoyed by the property. It is not simply an assessment of the property alone. It is OUR OPINION which we give in good faith.

This is not an official Portuguese Star Rating, but our own opinion, which is designed to help you choose the most suitable holiday home.

Basic clean and functional accommodation for the budget conscious client.

A good standard of accommodation which most clients will find more than satisfactory.

Villas and apartments which we feel exceed the standard normally available on package tours, and which offer a good quality accommodation

Properties where the standard of accommodation, together with location, general facilities and possibly views, are considered to be of a superior standard. Villas with private pools in this category could be considered to be in the luxury class. Some exceptional villas also have a deluxe classification.

CAR HIRE
For some properties, car hire is essential, and for others it is recommended. We deal with an excellent local company in the Algarve, and we have made special arrangements at Faro Airport for you to collect and return your hire car.

Most car hire companies at Faro Airport operate a shuttle bus service from the airport to their nearby depot’s, where you will complete the paperwork and collect and return your hire car. In our opinion, this can cause you much stress by waiting around for the shuttle bus, and loading and unloading your luggage onto the bus, both on arrival and departure. It is not the best start to your arrival in the Algarve.

We have made special arrangements for you to meet the hire car representative in the airport arrivals hall, and to complete the paperwork there. You can then collect your car from the airport car park and then pick up your party and luggage from the arrival hall door.

The car can be returned to the car park after dropping off your party and luggage at departures, where they will be able to join the check-in queue.

Many years of experience has shown that this method smoothes your way through the airport. There may be slightly cheaper car hire available, but is it worth it if you spend an extra hour or more on arrival and departure ?

Private Taxi or Mini Bus Transfers
If you decide not to hire a car, we can arrange a private taxi or mini bus transfer from Faro Airport to your accommodation. The driver will be waiting for you on arrival and will assist with your luggage etc.

Maid Service
All our properties have Maid Service. Villas with Private Pools will normally have Maid Service 5 days per week, but some smaller ones only 3 days. Maid Service in apartments varies, but twice per week is normal. In some complexes, it may even be 5 days per week.

Swimming Pools & Young Children
Most villas and apartments have swimming pools, either private or shared by other apartments. Because they are not public pools, most will not have a lifeguard. Please be aware of this when you take young children to a property with a swimming pool.

Odd Durations Available
9, 10, 11 or 12 nights - Fly any day of the week
Although the main changeover days in the Algarve are Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, several airlines now operate a daily service to the Algarve, so we can arrange your holiday to depart any day of the week, subject of course to the availability of your chosen accommodation and existing bookings. The main advantage to you is that flights are cheaper and the airports are less busy on other days. For durations other than 7 or 14 nights, please call us to check availability and for a quotation.

Swimming Pools with Salt Water Purification Systems Some of our villas have the advanced salt water chlorination system which is generally considered much better than the traditional method of adding granulated chlorine every week. The salt water system changes salt, which is periodically added to the pool water, into a natural chlorine, which is different from the manufactured chlorine used in most swimming pools. The water is much softer and clearer, and guests do not suffer from red eyes etc. which is associated with normal pools. The salt content is very small, and most people will not notice, but it is very good for the skin.

Breakage/Heating/Telephone Deposits
Most villas require a deposit against breakages, electricity for heating/air conditioning, and telephone use. You will be advised of the amount at the time of booking. This will be paid with the cost of your holiday, ten weeks before travelling, and will be refunded within 10 days of your return, less any unpaid items. Villas are normally £250 and Apartments £150.

Arrival / Departure
Accommodation will not be available until after 2pm on your arrival day. The maid may not have finished cleaning by that time, as some villas can take longer to prepare. You must vacate your accommodation before 10am. On your departure day, unless previously agreed with the Villa Manager.

Satellite TV
When a villa or apartment description includes satellite TV, this may be via one of several systems, and not necessarily Sky TV. Several satellite systems are available in Portugal including Sky, Eurtelsat, free to air stations and cable TV. Most systems (but not all) will receive some BBC programmes, Eurosport, CNN News, and some children's programmes. Some villas will have Sky or BBC programmes, and this is normally mentioned in the villa description. All our villas are privately owned, and the particular satellite system that owners may install is beyond our control, and therefore the mention of satellite TV in the villa description is no guarantee that you will be able to receive all or any of the channels you would normally view at home. Satellite TV is not an integral part of your holiday cost, but an additional free item which may be of use to you.

Heating/Air Conditioning/Pool Heating
During the winter period 1st November to 31st March, unless otherwise stated, an allowance is included in your holiday cost for normal consumption of electricity. This will be advised to you in units of electricity on arrival at your villa. Any electricity used in excess of this, will be charged to you locally. The meter will be read before, and at the end of your holiday. Logs for use on fires and stoves may be purchased locally. For villas with air conditioning, a similar allowance will be given in the summer, so it is in your own interests to ensure economical use of air conditioning units. Pool heating costs vary with each villa, depending on whether it is gas or electricity, the size of the pool and the outside temperature. A definite cost will be quoted to you at the time of booking. In the unlikely event of a pool heating failure, the cost of heating the pool will be refunded for each day when the heating was not working. No further refund can be considered.

Disabled Persons Requirements
We have produced a 'Checklist for Disabled and Less Mobile Passengers' which has been designed as an aid to checking the suitability of the accommodation, transport and facilities in the destination. This form should also be used to give information regarding specific needs for equipment and / or medication. You can download a copy of the checklist from here in Word format or in Adobe Acrobat PDF. Please complete the checklist and mail or email it to us for attention.

Data Protection Policy
Your booking:
In order to process your booking and to ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet your requirements we need to use the information you provide such as name, address, any special needs/dietary requirements etc. We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security measures are in place to protect your information. We must pass the information on to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements such as airlines, hotels, transport companies etc. The information may also be provided to security or credit checking companies, public authorities such as customs/immigration if required by them, or as required by law. Additionally, where your holiday is outside the European Economic Area (EEA), controls on data protection in your destination may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. We will not however, pass any information onto any person not responsible for part of your travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements. (If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we cannot provide your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons).

Please note that where information is also held by your travel agent, this is subject to your agents own data protection policy.
Your data controller is: Algarve Agency Limited

You are entitled to a copy of your information held by us. If you would like to see this please contact us. We may make a small charge for providing this to you.

Marketing:
We will hold your information, where collected by us, and may use it to inform you of offers in the future or to send you brochures. If you do not wish to receive such approaches in the future, please inform us on your booking form.