Villa Occupancy

Each villa description states the tenancy start time and all end at 10am on the last day. If you have very early or late flights, or want a different arrival day to the one specified, we will try to be flexible. The maximum number of people is also stated but one extra infant in a cot is usually accepted. Sometimes a second infant can be accommodated but you must check this with us before booking. If your party is an all female or all male group please tell us before confirming your booking. ONLY THE PERSONS NAMED ON THE BOOKING FORM MAY OCCUPY THE VILLA and we MUST have all names, titles and initials before we can send out your final holiday documentation. If, for any reason whatsoever, any additional people are accommodated during the holiday, they will either be asked to leave the villa or we will deduct the additional rental cost from your security deposit. Pets are not generally permitted although one or two of the villas may accept a well behaved dog, subject to prior written confirmation.

What's included

If required, we can provide one free cot and one free highchair unless otherwise stated on the price panel. Please bear in mind that cots are often travel cots, not necessarily manufactured to British standards and cot linen is NOT provided. In the Algarve, unless the villa has air conditioning, we will supply one fan for each bedroom if requested on your booking form (additional fans may be hired). Fans are usually not necessary on the Lisbon Coast but can often be arranged at extra cost if required. On arrival at the villa, you will find an initial supply of lavatory paper, soap, a litre of drinking water and washing up liquid or some dishwasher tablets.

Additional equipment

When available, pool heating, air conditioning and extra beds are usually at additional cost and prices are shown on the price panel. Unless otherwise stated on the villa description, heating and firewood are charged for separately and payable locally. If a stairgate is not mentioned in the villa description, it may be possible to arrange one at additional cost - please ask at time of booking.

Swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis & garderners

Swimming pools and gardens are looked after throughout the year. The pool maintenance companies and gardeners may need to visit during your holiday; they are as unobtrusive as possible but cannot usually confirm in advance when they will arrive. If your villa has a heatable pool, the price quoted will be either for the duration of your holiday and include pre-heating, or will be provided on request. If the pool is solar heated, it is dependent on the sun - no sun, no heat!

Pool temperatures are bound to vary according to the outside air temperature, so we cannot guarantee that any pool will maintain a particular temperature at all times, especially in the cooler months. If you feel the pool heating is not working correctly it is essential that you contact your villa manager so that they can come and verify the temperature with you as often the water feels cooler than it really is. We cannot make any refund unless we have a confirmed thermometer reading. If the pool has a cover, it is essential to draw it over the pool when the sun sets as this will prevent heat loss overnight.

A spa, hot tub or Jacuzzi can be particularly temperamental. If you book & pay extra for one which breaks down please inform your villa manager. As technical problems can and do sometimes occur it is our policy to refund these charges pro-rata should the equipment fail but no other refund or compensation can be paid.

Linen, towels & additional equipment

All linen and towels (except beach and pool towels unless otherwise stated) are included in the villa rental, sheets are changed weekly, towels twice a week and irons and ironing boards are always provided. We are aware that many airlines now charge for suitcases and that towels take up a lot of space. Many of our villa owners have agreed to provide pool towels and this will be indicated in the villa description. The owners will provide one towel per person per holiday and towels should not be taken to the beach or taken home! Please remember to take your own CDs, games for playstations, videos, DVDs and travel adaptors. If the villa has a tennis court, racquets and balls are generally not provided. When available, pool heating, air conditioning, heating and extra beds are usually at additional cost and prices are shown on the price panel. Unless otherwise stated in the villa description, heating and firewood are charged for separately and payable locally. If a stair gate is not mentioned in the villa description, it may still be possible to arrange one at additional cost - please ask at time of booking.

Televisions

We cannot guarantee which channels or networks will be available at individual villas. The description will say one of the following: 'TV with national channels' means that only Portuguese speaking television is available but in these cases there is usually a DVD. 'TV with limited English channels' usually means you will receive the free to view programmes which may only be CNN News. 'TV with English channels' means that you should receive UK terrestrial channels which may only be channels such as BBC News and in some it may be a full viewing package. If you would like to have more specific details, please ask our staff.

Telephones

If your villa has a telephone, it may be fitted with a meter, which means you can make and receive calls and will be asked to pay the bill at the end of your holiday. Alternatively, the telephone may be for incoming or local calls only. It is often possible for you to use your mobile and your service provider will be able to advise you on this.

Food packs

We can usually arrange a food pack for your arrival and the various prices are shown on the booking form although, as most supermarkets stay open until 8pm, many of our clients prefer to do their own shopping.

Smoking

Portugal now has smoking restrictions although they are not identical to the UK. Some restaurants allow smoking while others do not. As the villas are privately owned, in some cases guests are requested not to smoke inside the villa, grounds or in the bedrooms.

Child friendly properties

We are often asked why we do not indicate which of our villas are "child friendly". The answer is that no two parents' view of "child friendly" is the same. Whilst all properties with swimming pools offer potential dangers to young children, some of our villas are more suitable than others in terms of layout, garden etc. Please ask our reservations staff for advice and discuss with them any particular issues you may have.

Cooks available at extra cost

Although eating out in Portugal is extremely cheap, in the Algarve cooks can often be arranged. Please ask at time of booking.

Golf, horse riding & scuba diving

We can arrange substantial discounts for golf and through our associates we can also pre-book tee times. In some areas we can arrange golf club hire at a lower cost than the golf courses. Horse riding and scuba diving can also be arranged. [read more]

Extra services & special occasions

If you have any special requests please ask us and we will try our best to help. For example, we can arrange cakes and flowers for special occasions or organise a catered party at your villa. We can usually arrange for a chef to cook or prepare a dinner party for you - please ask for a quote and sample menus when you make your booking. If you would like to travel in style to your accommodation, we can arrange a chauffeur driven stretch limousine, with champagne and chocolates. In the past we have even tracked down a grand piano, a kiss-o-gram and have helped to plan and arrange a wedding reception.

Winter holidays

If you would like to book a property for the winter please telephone our office to find out which will be suitable as many of the villas are not equipped with heating although some have log burning fires. In most cases, heating and logs are at extra cost and our staff will be able to assist you with your choice.

Flexible arrival days & short breaks

The villa description will usually state a preferred arrival day but this can often be varied to allow you flexibility with your flights. We can also arrange short breaks or long weekends in many of our villas. The rent will always be charged at a minimum of four nights although you may choose to stay for only two or three nights. We can also offer odd durations for example, ten day holidays. Quotations for bookings on a different arrival day or odd durations will be provided on request.

Holidays for the disabled

We are acutely aware that individual needs vary and we will do our best to find the right property for you. Widths of door frames differ in each villa so if there is a wheelchair user in your party, please make certain that you tell us before making your booking. In the Algarve, it is possible to hire equipment for the disabled; please ask for details.

Passport & Visas

As regulations governing passports and visas change frequently, we cannot guarantee that the information we give will remain accurate and strongly recommend that you contact the passport office for up to date advice. It is your responsibility to ensure all members of your party have the necessary visas and permits that may be needed to enter Portugal and re-enter the UK. If in doubt, telephone the Portuguese Consulate on 0207 291 3770. For EEC nationals, passports must be valid for the duration of the holiday and for non-EEC nationals, passports must usually be valid for 6 months from the date of travel. All adults and children are required to hold a full British Passport. At the time of going to print, no specific vaccinations are required for travelling to Portugal. For up to date information, refer to the Department of Health.

Pictures

Location photographs may not be in the immediate vicinity of the properties featured on the same page.