Frequently-Asked-Questions-and-Answers

Casa Romantica
Algarve, Portugal

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Private Villa Central Algarve

We always provide as much information as we can to make organising and booking your Portugal family summer holidays as easy as possible. Hopefully some of the questions and answers below will go some way to giving you the information you need about Casa Romantica and the Algarve. If there is anything that is not listed, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

Villa accommodation

How many people does the villa sleep?

The villa sleeps up to 6 to 8 people. There is 1 double bedroom, 2 twin bedrooms and a sofa bed in the lounge. There is also the option of using some 'put-me-up' beds for small children. Baby cots are provided free of charge.

Does the villa have a private pool?

Yes, there is a private pool, which is not overlooked.

What is the earliest time we can arrive at the villa & what the is latest we can leave?

The earliest time that you can arrive at the villa is 14:30 (pm) on the day of arrival and the latest that you can leave is 10:30 (am) on the day of departure. Often there can be some flexibility, for example, if the villa is unoccupied immediately before you arrive or after you leave.

Is the villa managed by a company?

Yes, the villa is fully managed by a local company who are based in Guia. Cleaners attend the villa 3 times per week, a gardener once a week and a pool cleaner comes once per week. The management company or ourselves can be contacted 24 hours a day.

Is there anything preventing small children inside the villa from being able to get to the swimming pool?

Yes, there are ornate iron gates on all the patio doors, which lead from the villa accommodation to the swimming pool area.

Can you provide cots for babies, high chairs, strollers or sterilisers?

Yes, we provide baby cots, high chairs, strollers and sterilisers free of charge.

Is there a dishwasher at the villa?

Yes, there is a dishwasher, fridge/freezer, washing machine, gas cooker, microwave, toaster, kettle, etc.

Are there any shaded areas where you can eat outside?

The villa is south facing for the pool so the sun rises at the back of the villa, where you can at your breakfast, but you can also sit on the pool side of the villa and have your evening meals. There are plenty of shaded areas at the front and back of the villa for eating or relaxing outside.

What channels can we watch on the TV?

You can see all the BBC and ITV channels via SKY TV, but not SKY Sports or the SKY Movie channels. There is also a DVD player attached to the lounge TV. There is a separate TV and Sony xbox for playing games in a children’s games room, which is just off the main lounge.

What is in the Welcome Pack when we arrive?

Only the basic essentials to get you started - in case your flight is late and the shops are shut when you arrive. The Welcome Pack normally includes bread, milk, tea bags, coffee, wine, toilet rool, cheese, ham, butter and a bottle of water.

Has the villa got air conditioning?

Yes, the villa has air-conditioning in all the bedrooms, kitchen and living room. They are all remotely controllable. Algarve villas with air conditioning are essential especially during peak season. Air conditioning is optional and costs £100 per week.

Is the villa suitable for wheelchairs?

Yes, the villa is suitable for wheelchairs as it is on one storey (with the exception of 3 very shallow steeps which lead into the lounge).

Do I need to bring towels or linen?

Towels and linen are provided , but please bring your beach towels for using outside.

Do I need to bring any electrical convertor plugs?

Yes. In Portugal they use the 2 pin type, not 3 pin. You can buy these from any boots at the airports.

Will my music CDs and DVDs work in the machines at the villa?

Yes. They will work fine and it also has a connection for an ipod.

Is smoking permitted?

Smoking is not permitted inside the villa, but it is ok to smoke outside when using an ash tray.

The Swimming Pool - algarve luxury villa with private pool

How big is the swimming pool?

The pool is 10 metres long and 5 metres wide.

Can the swimming pool be heated?

Yes, the pool can be heated using an electric heat pump. The swimming pool costs £150 per week to heat, which is an additional cost to the villa rental costs and is paid with the final balance.

Does the swimming pool need to be heated?

Not necessarily in high season (June to September), but if there are any small babies that are expected to go into the swimming pool then we would always recommend heating the pool as an change in temperature (regardless of how small), may be enough to put them off from going in - which would be a shame.

How long will it take to heat the pool?

Dependent upon the time of year, it can take up to 2 days to heat the pool up (provided the pool blanket is kept on top)

Does the pool have a shallow end?

Yes, the pool does have a shallow end with small roman steps down into the shallow end. The shallow end of the pool is 1 metre deep and the deep end is 2 metres deep. There is a blue tiled marker on the base of the pool which shows where the shallow end finishes and the deep starts to get deep. There is plenty of room for small children to play in the shallow end.

Do I need to bring anything for the private swimming pool?

Yes. Arm bands for any small children or any lilos. We do leave some out at the beginning of every season, but they unfortunately don't always stand the test of time! Alternatively, you can buy them when you arrive from the market in Guia.

Flights and travel arrangements to Portugal villa with pool

What is the nearest airport to Casa Romantica?

The nearest is Faro airport and it is 35 mins drive away from Casa Romantica in Guia.

How much does it cost to get get a taxi from Faro airport to the villa?

A taxi normally costs between 30 and 40 Euros to Guia from Faro, but this does depend upon whether you need a normal saloon taxi or a people carrier type car.

How long does it take to fly from the UK?

It takes approximately 2 hours 30-45 mins to fly to Faro. Alternatively, you can fly to Lisbon which takes approximately 2 hours and drive to Guia from Lisbon, which takes about 1 hour 30 mins.

Do you know any airlines that offer cheap flights?

There are a number of low cost airlines that fly from the UK. These include EasyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair. Please find below a list of the UK and other worldwide airports where flights are available to Faro airport. More details regarding the airlines can be found on the Links page.

Is there any time difference between the UK and Portugal?

No. They are always exactly the same.

Do I need to get travel insurance?

Yes. Most of of the high street banks or supermarkets can arrange travel insurance for you and your family. There are other deals from time to time - like the Post Office travel policies. It's best to shop around.

Do I need to get an E111 from the post office for medical attention in Portugal?

For UK nationals on a temporary visit to Portugal (i.e. a holiday) an E111 is not required, but check at the post office at least 4 weeks before you travel.

What is the currency in Portugal?

The currency is the Euro.

Will my mobile phone work in Portugal?

Yes, check with your service provider in the UK and get it enabled for 'International access' before you leave. When you want to use your mobile phone abroad to call somebody in the UK, enter the UK country code (0044), drop the first (0) of the telephone number you are calling. For example, if you were contacting somebody on 0161-123-4577, then you would dial 0044-161-123-4567.

The Location - Guia near Albufeira

Where is Casa Romantica located?

Casa Romantica is 30 minutes drive from Faro airport in the Central Algarve, 5 mins walk from the local village of Guia and 5-10 mins drive from the nearest town, which is Albufeira. Albufeira villa holidays are great because of their location in the Central Algarve region of Portugal.

Do I need to hire a car if we stay at your villa?

Hiring a car is not essential, but I always stay that it is preferable. It is always possible to hire a taxi to/from the villa and nothing is that far away. However, for convenience and flexibility of being able to go a moments notice to out hiring a car would be the better option. It is great way to see the Central Algarve region and the roads are certainly a lot quieter than in the UK!!

Where are the nearest mini-markets ?

There are 2 mini-markets within a 5 minute walk of the villa.

Where is the nearest supermarket?

The nearest supermarket is called Continente and it is in the Central Algarve Shopping Centre, which is just a few minutes drive away. Please note that Continente is open 7 days per week, but it is closed from 21:00 every Sunday.

How do we get to the beach from the villa in Guia and Albufeira?

Easy. From the centre of Guia, follow the sign for Vale De Parra. This one, straight road takes you straight to Praia De Gale and the beach. It is easy to drive around the Algarve and there are plenty of taxis also available to take you to and from the beach.

Is it possible to hire a taxi from Faro airport as we do not want to drive?

Yes, it is possible to hire a taxi from Faro airport. We will provide you with the taxi details and you can ring the English speaking taxi company and pre-book a taxi for when you arrive at the airport.

Are there any local parks for the children to play?

Yes, there are parks and a children’s play ground with swings and slides a short walk away from the villa.

How far are the restaurants and bars from the villa?

There are over 20 restaurants in the village of Guia, which are only a 5-10 minute walk away. There are hundreds more in the town of Albufeira, which is 5-10 minutes drive away.

Are there any water parks for the children?

Yes, there are several water parks and a Zoomarine only 5 minutes drive from the villa.

Where are the nearest cash machines?

There are cash machines located in Guia, only a 5 minute walk away from the villa.

Where is the nearest Exchange Bureau?

The nearest exchange bureau is outside the Modelo shopping centre in Albufeira.

Can I use my Makro card at the Makro opposite the Algarve Shopping Centre?

Yes, but please note that all payments are in cash and don't forget the 19% tax, which is added to your bill at the end.

How far is the villa from the main golf courses in the Algarve?

There are golf courses all along the Algarve coastline, but to give you an idea Guia is approximately 20 mins drive from Vilamoura and 20 minutes drive from Penina - so right in the middle of all the Algarve golf courses!

Car Hire and driving in Portugal - albufeira villa holidays

Do we need to take a car seat or booster seat?

No. All of the hire car companies can provide these on a daily rental basis, but double check with them and pre-book to avoid delays when you get to the hire car company office at Faro airport.

Do we need to have "Collison Damage Waiver" when we hire a car?

It is not compulsory, but we highly recommend you do as in the event of a claim this will reduce the amount you pay to just the 'excess'.

Should we fill the hire car up before we take it back on the last day?

On most occasions it is cheaper to fill the car up yourself before you give it back than pay the high petrol rates of the hire companies - so yes fill up before you return the car unless told otherwise.

Where is the nearest petrol station from the villa?

There are several GALP petrol stations only a short drive away from the villa - in Guia at Makro and Albufeira.

Is there a petrol station on the way back to Faro airport?

There are a few GALP petrol stations on the way back to Faro airport. Most notably the GALP petrol stations. The recommendation is to fill up on your last day on the way back to the airport. Failing that use the GALP petrol station on the main round about outside Faro airport, next to the roundabout with the white statues looking up to the sky.

Booking the villa - Portugal family summer holidays

When do I need to do if I want to go ahead and make a booking?

Simply contact the owner, check the dates that you would like are available. If they are, then you will need to complete a brief form, which will be sent to you and then return the form with a 25% deposit to the owner. The full balance it not due then until 10 weeks before you arrive for your holiday. The owner will issue you a receipt for all payments made. For more information please refer to our How to Book section.

How do we get the keys to the villa?

Once you have paid your final balance an information pack will be sent out to you in the post with all the details enclosed - including where to collect the keys from.

Do you have a license to be able to rent the villa out for holidays?

Yes, in accordance with the new Portuguese regulations our villa is licensed for holiday lettings by the Municipality of Albufeira meeting all the relevant safety and comfort standards - CMA License Number 27893/AL.

As you see from the list of questions and answers above we have responded to a wide variety of questions from our clients since 2003. Regardless of your query please don't hesitate to ask if you have a question for us. Just complete and send the enquiry form and we will respond to you normally within 24 hours.

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