Faro, Algarve: Where to stay?
Discussion
Dick Dastardly said:
My other half has booked flights to Faro in Portugal for May but we don't have a hotel or anything else booked in yet. Any advice on a nice place to spend a week? Ideally walking distance from anything worth seeing and doing.
Lost my love for the Algarve after being burgled several years back (and no sign of forced entry). Further away from Faro the quieter it is, Albufeira old town is nice mind you, but the new part is like Blackpool.Head up to Lagos or Luz bay if I were you, and if you see Maddy, call the police.
sparkythecat said:
VeeFour said:
You do get a lot of tourists there, but they're not the same sort of tourist as you get in Albufeira / Vilamoura or similar resorts.
Yes, those golfers are real low lives aren't they?. 
What I'm getting at is that Tavira is more for the 'cultured' tourist, so you don't get late night clubbing or drunken football fans roaming around at night.
We know some people with a 3 bed villa out in the Algarve. They rent it out for reasonable rates.
We stayed in it late last year. Easy drive to any attractions and towns. Great view and no real visible neighbours. About 30 minutes drive from Faro located slightly in the hills. All that and more.
There is a but though, turns out they don't 100% leagally have the rights to it as it was built in the wrong place (on the neighbours land) all those years back.
Within minutes of unpacking, the neighbours come up the drive to welcome you in and ask you about your stay.
Mainly; why the f
k you're on their land and, to welcome you to their friends the police who are coming up the drive as well. Nice welcoming party.
So after finding out you're staying in a villa that is part of an on going saga (~10 years now) and how they have every right to send you back to that airport. They grudgingly let you stay after photocopying your passports and writing out a contract for the police, them and yourselves to sign stating how any problems caused will come down on your head.
So now you know all of this, it's really not that bad. The views are 360 degree, the master suite is en suite with a balcony, the water and electricity are free as they're leached off the neighbours property.
So, want their number!?
We stayed in it late last year. Easy drive to any attractions and towns. Great view and no real visible neighbours. About 30 minutes drive from Faro located slightly in the hills. All that and more.
There is a but though, turns out they don't 100% leagally have the rights to it as it was built in the wrong place (on the neighbours land) all those years back.
Within minutes of unpacking, the neighbours come up the drive to welcome you in and ask you about your stay.
Mainly; why the f
k you're on their land and, to welcome you to their friends the police who are coming up the drive as well. Nice welcoming party.So after finding out you're staying in a villa that is part of an on going saga (~10 years now) and how they have every right to send you back to that airport. They grudgingly let you stay after photocopying your passports and writing out a contract for the police, them and yourselves to sign stating how any problems caused will come down on your head.
So now you know all of this, it's really not that bad. The views are 360 degree, the master suite is en suite with a balcony, the water and electricity are free as they're leached off the neighbours property.
So, want their number!?
VeeFour said:
sparkythecat said:
VeeFour said:
You do get a lot of tourists there, but they're not the same sort of tourist as you get in Albufeira / Vilamoura or similar resorts.
Yes, those golfers are real low lives aren't they?. What I'm getting at is that Tavira is more for the 'cultured' tourist, so you don't get late night clubbing or drunken football fans roaming around at night.
VeeFour said:
el stovey said:
You don't get crowds of football shirt wearing yobs wandering around drunk in Vilamoura either. Vilamoura is dominated by Portuguese families down from Lisbon and golfers.
That's not my experience from the only time I stayed there.Thanks for the input so far.
Maybe it's worth telling you what we like to do on a holiday, so you can recommend places and hotels that suit...
I like to sit on my arse all day, enjoying the sun. A hotel or beach that isn't crowded is always good. I occassionally like to get up and go to a museum or check out the local sights. The rest of the time I like to eat (as much as I can) and have a drink or two.
She likes to shop.
Maybe it's worth telling you what we like to do on a holiday, so you can recommend places and hotels that suit...
I like to sit on my arse all day, enjoying the sun. A hotel or beach that isn't crowded is always good. I occassionally like to get up and go to a museum or check out the local sights. The rest of the time I like to eat (as much as I can) and have a drink or two.
She likes to shop.
We looked at a local (to us) company Algarveselect.com (large uk developer) who own golf resorts.aparts & hotels on the western end of the algarve and they seem to sublet owners apts by the look of it at what seem quite reasonable prices.
I'm off to Tavira end in a few weeks & have heard
good reports
I'm off to Tavira end in a few weeks & have heard
good reports
el stovey said:
VeeFour said:
sparkythecat said:
VeeFour said:
You do get a lot of tourists there, but they're not the same sort of tourist as you get in Albufeira / Vilamoura or similar resorts.
Yes, those golfers are real low lives aren't they?. What I'm getting at is that Tavira is more for the 'cultured' tourist, so you don't get late night clubbing or drunken football fans roaming around at night.
I've just booked a week in Olhos D'agua, Algarve at the RIU Algarve Palace!
Got a good deal and area seems fairly nice! Never been to an RIU before but always heard good things about them.
According to the fiance the area is quiter but easily accessible to get into lively areas.
Only 127 days to go!
Got a good deal and area seems fairly nice! Never been to an RIU before but always heard good things about them.
According to the fiance the area is quiter but easily accessible to get into lively areas.
Only 127 days to go!
MISS E said:
I am heading there in June going to falesia hotel,acoteias,algarve, never been before though. BTW RIU Hotels are nice very clean is it all inclusive?
This is half board, we did plan on going to the RIU next door to it all inclusive but we got an amazing deal on this hotel which is nicer with more than enough spare change to pay for alcohol & food! All inclusive is nice, but limits you to your hotel sometimes.effkay said:
BliarOut said:
Val Do Lobo is very nice if a little pricey.
Been going to Vale Do Lobo for two decades and now my parents have a place there if you want to rent it. PM for their website if you want. Been to lots of resorts in Europe and VDL is still my favourite, but I may be biased! 
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