Holiday Villas in Portugal
Typical of the Algarve and other coastal resorts around Portugal, a holiday let can be anything from a couple of weeks to a longer stay of a few months over the winter period. Property is likely to be an apartment or holiday-home, such as a villa or house on a complex, and the let is usually a straightforward holiday booking. The contract or agreement should be fairly self-explanatory and sets down the details for the rental period.
Property for this purpose is found through UK or Portugal-based English papers, overseas property magazines, estate agents, Internet and word of mouth.
Most travel agents can also book stays in villas for you, and have brochures, or can order them, from specialist operators such as:
Simply Travel (Portugal and Madeira): (020) 8541 2222
Abreu Travel Agency (020) 7229 9905
Portugalia Holidays (020) 8444 1857.
What can you expect of a holiday let? Offered on a self-catering basis, most holiday property will consist of basic furniture and fittings: beds, wardrobes, bed-settee, table and chairs, kitchen appliances often with just a cooker hob and some cooking utensils. Generally bed linen is included, and with most short-term bookings the price includes cleaning and domestic services, such as change of linen. For longer lets it is worth checking if that is still the case, and how often it will take place. Over a period of a few months, you will find you may want or need to add to what is already provided in the place, to make it more practical or homely: tea towels, your own cleaning materials, items for the bathroom, candles, rugs or cushions. All can be bought very cheaply at one of the large super or hyper-markets, or at your local feira, or monthly market.
If you are using a holiday let as a longer-term accommodation solution, you may not necessarily want cleaning staff interrupting you as regularly as they might a typical family on holiday. Come to an arrangement with the management services so that you are not disturbed every day.
