We are back!

A warm hello to all our guests, past, present and future

Following 3 months of complete lockdown, we would like to extend a huge thank you to our regulars who have stuck with us through 2020 and indeed some new guests who have put their trust in us.

Slowly but surely the world seems to be returning to some normality and with this in mind, we would like to reassure everyone that our procedures for cleaning the villa and laundry have been reinforced in accordance with the rules of the Portuguese Directorate-General of Health (DGH) and existing international guidelines.

We sincerely hope you are all keeping well and safe and look forward to welcoming you back to Villa Folly.

 

Our last trip until the Autumn ……

Hello again – to update you and enable those who are going to the villa to know what changes have happened and maybe entice some others to book for next year…….?

Keith and I went out for two weeks at the end of March – it was a ‘working’ break really – we spring cleaned the villa from top to bottom in readiness for all our guests this season and also:

Purchased some new outdoor furniture – two new sun loungers for the pool patio and two new recliners which are up on the master bedroom patio – the original ones were definitely becoming a little worn and had lost their comfort!

We have removed the bamboo type fencing from the back of the pool which was looking decidedly sad – and are delighted with how this opened up the pool area and gives the garden a far more attractive view of the trees behind us. Ever mindful of safety and security, particularly when little ones are staying, we have kept the wooden brackets that supported the fencing but lowered them down to give the original railings more height – you will see what I mean when you go out!

We have also now changed management companies – we wanted to try and facilitate better the key collection and return for guests and enable them to be a real part of the Vale do Lobo community. So, Vale do Lobo now manage the villa for us. Another benefit we hope you will enjoy is their linen! Ours was in need of renewing which is a fairly massive expense and signing up to VDL means we are a part of their linen pool – so good quality bed linen and towels are guaranteed at all times! Obviously this is our first season with them – so feedback will be hugely appreciated.

What else – oh, yes, we have doubled the internet speed (but as we are talking Portugal you may not realise it) – do let us know!!!

As for the resort itself – major changes to the Praca – gone is the Real Estate Office giving a much larger area for dance, entertainment and general relaxation. It is still not 100% finished – but will be for the start of the season. It has created much more space and now you have a beautiful view of the sea as you approach the Praca down the hill! Photos will be published soon.

Time to close – as always we wish our guests a very happy, sunny and relaxing time at the villa. As we are booked through to October from May, we will not be out there ourselves until the Autumn – so do please let us know what you think of the changes at the Praca and let us know how you feel the management of the villa under VDL is.

Happy holidays!

 

 

March 2017 – Villa Folly Update

Well it is some considerable time since we left a blog – but with the season rapidly approaching, here is an update on the villa.

Firstly, the improvements we have made in the last 18 months – the outside of the villa has been redecorated, as has the whole of the inside. New leather sofas have been bought for the lounge and new curtains for both the lounge and the dining room.

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Wow the food near the Villa is so fantastic

We have found so many fantastic new restaurants near the villa in the last year for both lunch and dinner, venues you will not be disappointed with. A Prato do Dia 3 course lunch at Gamboa or Nosso in Almancil (including just half a litre of wine and a coffee!!!) for €7.50 to a dinner at Flor de Sal that you will never be disappointed with.  By the way, for me Flor de Sal is the Nouvelle Cuisine of Portuguese cooking producing great quality, flavour and not letting you go home hungry – don’t miss it.

Bentos Restaurant in Faro

Great meal, great company

On Sunday we went to a restaurant in Faro (follow the harbour round to the old walled town and it is on your right) for lunch and we met the owner. The restaurant is called Vivmar Restaurant de Bento Algarvia and we met the owner Antonio Joao Bento, the walls are plastered with his boxing achievements in the super lightweight categories. He is 38 and still boxing.  I have to say that he is very charming and does not look or sound like I expected a veteran world champion boxer to be.  The restaurant is traditional Portuguese, great value and good food served up by Antonio, if he is there, or his wife.

Vale do Lobo New Corporate Video

Vale do Lobo is a resort with a soul, where everyone is a member of the family and has a real sense of belonging, and through this film we would like to share this unique sensation that has become synonymous with the Vale do Lobo way of life.

Please feel free to share the film with your family and friends and show the world what Vale do Lobo has to offer.

We’re Delighted To Announce The Launch Of Our New Website

This website is a fresh and dynamic site to help showcase our villa.

The site gives us a fantastic platform to build on as we aim to continue to improve our villa website – so watch this space.

We know how busy you are but if you have a minute, have a browse and see what you think. We’d welcome any feedback and thoughts.