We have just returned from our 2nd stay at Porta da Villa. We went at the same time last year and had such a great time we repeated the holiday.
The apartments have just been renovated – new furnishings, leather sofa, etc. These apartments are exceptionally clean, and the decor makes it easy to keep them that way (e.g no carpets). There are new TVs with BBC and ITV channels, Film Four and Sky news. There’s air con / heating in all rooms. Some rooms have a roof terrace, some don’t. Ask when booking. Safe in the room - key 20 euro deposit, fridge with a freezer compartment, microwave etc.
The staff are friendly and helpful, though having someone on the desk a bit more could be useful. Cleaners popped in every other day to empty the bins, towels were changed once. Far from grumbling about that, these are after all self catering apartments, and any such service is always a bonus. There are recycling bins just around the corner.
Porta da Villa is a few minutes walk from Priai da Dona Ana, a series of small secluded beaches linked by tunnels in the rock. Also very close to the shops, restaurants and bars, but far enough away to be quiet. It’s a good ten minute walk to the supermarket (Intermarche – turn right at the fire station and keep going. They sell parasols and cool boxes). There’s a smaller supermarket (Ecomarche) on the front and a minimarket 5 mins from the apartments (turn right after the museum). Some people need be aware that getting to Porta da Villa is a short but steep walk up from the town, and there are steps throughout the apartments with no wheelchair access.
On both visits we hired a small car from Lagorent (see their website) and used it to visit different beaches in the area. Praia de Odeceixe is our favourite, a 45 minute drive north from Lagos. A good map for the area is the German map Die General Karte by Mair Dumont (red cover, widely available in Lagos). This map gives ratings for beaches, scenic drives and tourist attractions. Lagorent have some flyers in the Reception area. They were the cheapest. The high number of operators in the Algarve has forced down prices, so it’s worth checking before opting for one of the bigger companies. The only thing we’d do differently next time, is use the car to get to and from the airport and cut out the tiresome coach transfer. Also note that petrol is more expensive in Portugal than it is in the UK. Swings and roundabouts; cheese and wine is cheap.
Good restaurant worth trying is A Vaca, a Swiss restaurant, just past the museum. Limited menu, but good food. Restaurant has quirky decor, it’s less expensive than many in the vicinity and there’s plenty of space where some others cram you in. If you’re in the mood for a curry, the Khoinoor across the road from A Vaca is recommended. Their curries are better than most I’ve had in Bradford or in Rusholme.
Heartily recommend Porta da Villa. 10/10.