Hi all
Just popped over from the Goa forum to try to pick up some info on Val Do Lobo.
Apologies of some of the questions are a bit dumb but I haven;tbeen to Portugal since I was 15 or 16 (now 42) and can't really remember much about it other than there was a big round swimming pool called the Rotunda or something like that.
So, we've (the wife, my son, and I) been offered the use of a friends Villa in Val Do Lobo.
First thing is that I'm not sure if Val Do Lobo is a village, a town, or a just golf club.
All the info I can find seems to be about a golf club not a village or town particularly. I'm fairly certain our villa is on a golf club in any case. I need to know about cafes, bars and other shops that are there or will we need to travel into (I assume) into Quinta de Lago for this sort of thing? Don;t get me wrong I'm sure these things exist in Val Do Lobo but if this is a resort rather than a village then I assume they are all on the golf course and (possibly) expensive. Certainly unlikely to be typically Porugese.
How far is Quinta de Lago and is it there that I will need to go?
What's the average cost of a pint of beer; a meal for two; a typical taxi ride.
Am I likely to be on daily excursions or is this more a lie on the beach holiday?
We are considering getting a car which might be good depending on the answers above but what's the law regardin baby seats in Portugal? and do taxi's ever have them fitted?
To add a car seat to the hire car will cost us 9 euros a day (about £ 70 for 10 days) so am I better off buying one rather than renting?
What I'm really hoping is that there is a nice village square (or waterfront) with a few reasonably priced bars & restaurants that's just a few minutes stroll from us - Ditto the beach that is just a few minutes walk from us.
What is the beach like there? I'd like to take a telescopic sea spinning rod but there's not alot of point without some rocky areas.
Any help that you can give would be much appreciated
Have a look at http://www.portugal-valedelobo.com/Vale_do_lobo_facilities/page_2026501.html
http://www.barringtons-pt.com
http://www.valedolobo.com
http://www.vale-do-lobo-guide.com
There is some info on these sites re restaurants & shops, hope the links work for you. Taxis dont have baby seats fitted. Re car hire try http://www.economycarhire.com they do no excess inclusive insurance, cover 2 drivers, but not sure about baby seat hire costs. The resorts of Vale do Lobo & Quinta do Lago are quite expensive for eating & drinking, anywhere situated around a golf complex is expensive so have a look around Almancil which is not very far away.
Cheers Jayjan
http://www.barringtons-pt.com
http://www.valedolobo.com
http://www.vale-do-lobo-guide.com
There is some info on these sites re restaurants & shops, hope the links work for you. Taxis dont have baby seats fitted. Re car hire try http://www.economycarhire.com they do no excess inclusive insurance, cover 2 drivers, but not sure about baby seat hire costs. The resorts of Vale do Lobo & Quinta do Lago are quite expensive for eating & drinking, anywhere situated around a golf complex is expensive so have a look around Almancil which is not very far away.
Cheers Jayjan
If the golf club fees are anything to go by, Vale do Lobo will cost an arm and a leg for eating or drinking.
I have only been there twice, just to be nosey, and both times it reminded me of the old TV series 'The Prisoner'. Deserted streets patrolled by security guards in electric carts, that sort of thing. Manicured lawns and golf courses flanked by large villas about four decimal places out of my price range and I though a generally rather creepy atmosphere. The beach was nice though and as the tide was out I walked the couple of miles over to Quarteira and civilisation. A taxi driver told me that he once took a couple to their villa and collected them a fortnight later. He asked how they had enjoyed the area, going out etc. They replied 'Oh no, we didn't go out, we stayed in the villa the whole time.' Perhaps one of them was Number One.
I have only been there twice, just to be nosey, and both times it reminded me of the old TV series 'The Prisoner'. Deserted streets patrolled by security guards in electric carts, that sort of thing. Manicured lawns and golf courses flanked by large villas about four decimal places out of my price range and I though a generally rather creepy atmosphere. The beach was nice though and as the tide was out I walked the couple of miles over to Quarteira and civilisation. A taxi driver told me that he once took a couple to their villa and collected them a fortnight later. He asked how they had enjoyed the area, going out etc. They replied 'Oh no, we didn't go out, we stayed in the villa the whole time.' Perhaps one of them was Number One.
Hi Fritz,
9 euros a day for a carseat seems a bit extreme. Last time we hired a car they gave us the carseat for free for the whole week. Shop around, I have used ecenomy carhire also and can recommend them but they weren't the company that gave the free carseat I have to add. As for Vale de Lobo, never been or know amyone who has, a bit out of my price range and I don't play golf
Lummie
9 euros a day for a carseat seems a bit extreme. Last time we hired a car they gave us the carseat for free for the whole week. Shop around, I have used ecenomy carhire also and can recommend them but they weren't the company that gave the free carseat I have to add. As for Vale de Lobo, never been or know amyone who has, a bit out of my price range and I don't play golf
Lummie
Stayed at Quinta da Lago last year and visited Vale da Lobo just to see what it is about. Both areas are posh villa land, Quinta da Lago maybe the posher - villa prices were in the millions of euros. As a result eating out is pretty expensive, prices seemed twice the price of places like Albufeira and Villamoura, most of the restaurants being posh international ones. Very geared up for golf, very manicured, somewhat unreal. We found a car essential for getting out and finding local Portuguese restaurants out away from the villa complexes.
Thank you all for the information, very useful.
I thought it all looked a bit weird when hunting on the net. As some of you said all manicured lawns and that - a little bit unreal. Anyway it sounds like I'm in an expensive area so I guess I'm going to need to get out as much as possible but with the car that should be ok and I'm certainly no golfer.
Car seat for 9 euros per day is from Sixt. In fact now I think about it the car isn't cheap either (£ 260 for 10 days). Anyone know of an alternative?
Can anyone suggest where we should head for nights out? I don't particularly means specific bars or restauarants more areas. I'd like to do a bit of traditional Portugese but other than that I'm not fussed. Good food at a reasonable price is all I ask.
I thought it all looked a bit weird when hunting on the net. As some of you said all manicured lawns and that - a little bit unreal. Anyway it sounds like I'm in an expensive area so I guess I'm going to need to get out as much as possible but with the car that should be ok and I'm certainly no golfer.
Car seat for 9 euros per day is from Sixt. In fact now I think about it the car isn't cheap either (£ 260 for 10 days). Anyone know of an alternative?
Can anyone suggest where we should head for nights out? I don't particularly means specific bars or restauarants more areas. I'd like to do a bit of traditional Portugese but other than that I'm not fussed. Good food at a reasonable price is all I ask.
Fritz see my earlier post re car hire. http://www.economycarhire.com if you are going in high season the costs are quite high on all car hire.
Cheers Jayjan
Cheers Jayjan
Not sure when you are going but you could try Argus Car Hire - infant/child seat approx £11 per rental. Carjet also very good.
We have visited although not stayed in Val do Lobo. It is rather pristine - very posh villas and very quiet. Personally don't think I would want to stay there more than a week.
Pippa
We have visited although not stayed in Val do Lobo. It is rather pristine - very posh villas and very quiet. Personally don't think I would want to stay there more than a week.
Pippa
It's amazing how some people don't like a resort because it's expensive and full of money. The british really do have a hang up about poeple who seem to have done well for themselves and want to spend their money accordingly.I do frequent this side of portugal and find it clean, friendly and full of yes expensive but ultimately superb restaurants. If you want good old british food, there's plenty of places to go in the algarve. I have been to quarteria and found it quite scary. There was also a incident where the locals youths robbed a number of tourists in broad daylight. Albuferia reminds me of Blackpool, only warmer. Lagos is a lovely place with plenty of history. Be subjective guys
Paulus the members are giving their personal opinion of this area based on what they've seen and their vast experience of the Algarve as a whole.
I think you'll find the majority of our members prefer traditional Portugese food and often recommend good quality Portugese restaurants.
Who mentioned British food?If you want good old british food, there's plenty of places to go in the algarve
I think you'll find the majority of our members prefer traditional Portugese food and often recommend good quality Portugese restaurants.
Have just returned from the Algarve...we used Air Auto for the car hire (via economycarhire.com) and got a car for £162 for 11 days (brand new 4 door Grande Punto with air-con) for £162.
Have to say it is quite noticeable how the pound/euro conversion rate eats into your holiday money. So those expensive restaurants in Quinta do Lago and environs will seem even pricier.
Have to say it is quite noticeable how the pound/euro conversion rate eats into your holiday money. So those expensive restaurants in Quinta do Lago and environs will seem even pricier.
Well said Glynis. 
I personally dont have any hang ups about rich folks with money who want to frequence Quinta do Lago or Vale do Lobo, good luck to them, but there are some people who have never stayed in these places and therefore dont have any information on these resorts, like Fritz the original poster on this topic, its nice to pass these experiences on so people know what to expect when they arrive for their holiday.
I personally dont have any hang ups about rich folks with money who want to frequence Quinta do Lago or Vale do Lobo, good luck to them, but there are some people who have never stayed in these places and therefore dont have any information on these resorts, like Fritz the original poster on this topic, its nice to pass these experiences on so people know what to expect when they arrive for their holiday.
the other point is that many holiday makers [not only British] don't want to be in the more formal resorts but prefer to totally informal in their dress, dining & holiday outlook
Hi,
I think the point here is that if Vale de Lobo seems to be a very much a relax by the pool or golf area and the only real nightlife is restaurants(as I am led to believe), then you have to be prepapred for that. I think tht was Fritz's concern(I think!)
Every year I kid myself I will relax and unwind completely, read, sleep, ipod etc but the truth is I'm not very good at it. After an hour or so its itchy feet time and I need to find something to do. Dont think Vale de Lobo would be my thing going by whats been said but each to their own. I think this was the concern and reason for the original post.
Lummie
I think the point here is that if Vale de Lobo seems to be a very much a relax by the pool or golf area and the only real nightlife is restaurants(as I am led to believe), then you have to be prepapred for that. I think tht was Fritz's concern(I think!)
Every year I kid myself I will relax and unwind completely, read, sleep, ipod etc but the truth is I'm not very good at it. After an hour or so its itchy feet time and I need to find something to do. Dont think Vale de Lobo would be my thing going by whats been said but each to their own. I think this was the concern and reason for the original post.
Lummie
Wizard, your comment paints the wrong picture! I stroll around in informal wear, in fact, even the restaurants are fine with informal dress. This isn't a dickie bow and ball gown resort. Glynis, as you say, I'm giving my opinion as well.
Looks like I can get the car for about £ 180 all in, baby seat as well (through economycarhire) so thanks for the pointer there.
Lummie is correct reallly, I just want to be aware of the kind of money eating out locally is going to cost me. I don't have a problem with staying somewhere a bit more exclusive/ expensive anymore than I'd have a problem staying at a guest house, I just need to know what to expect. Also like to try to get out to places the locals are likley to go to rather than just hang around the tourists haunts.
And I can't sit by the pool the time either, I'd go mad with boredom - so seems the car is a must but as I said at the beginning I have that sorted now.
People have told me to try Martha's on the Beach (not sure what beach though) and also a place called Mad Max but I'm not sure if that's the name of the place or the name of the man that runs it.
Lummie is correct reallly, I just want to be aware of the kind of money eating out locally is going to cost me. I don't have a problem with staying somewhere a bit more exclusive/ expensive anymore than I'd have a problem staying at a guest house, I just need to know what to expect. Also like to try to get out to places the locals are likley to go to rather than just hang around the tourists haunts.
And I can't sit by the pool the time either, I'd go mad with boredom - so seems the car is a must but as I said at the beginning I have that sorted now.
People have told me to try Martha's on the Beach (not sure what beach though) and also a place called Mad Max but I'm not sure if that's the name of the place or the name of the man that runs it.
The nearby town of Almancil has a number of local and international restaurants including Chinese. There's also an Aldi in the town and a branch of the Appollonia upmarket supermarkets. We stocked up the villa at these two.
paulus38 wrote:Albuferia reminds me of Blackpool, only warmer. Be subjective guys
Not terribly subjective if I may say so Paulus...
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