Essential Information

The following information will help you find out about all aspects of your holiday with SP Holidays. Should you require any further information regarding any of the matters below, or other queries you may have about your holiday, please do not hesitate to contact our Travel Advisers.

Accommodation Description and Standards

We provide self-catering accommodation and not hotel-style facilities or services. The style and standard of our properties will inevitably differ across resorts and destinations, ranging from individually owned properties, furnished to the owner’s taste, to purpose-built holiday homes and resorts. We endeavour to give an accurate description of each villa and provide you with interior and exterior photographs, as up-to-date as possible.

Please note that the furnishings are subject to change, without prior notice, to allow for repair, cleaning, and replacement of broken items, and there may not be sufficient time for us to update the property’s photographs.

There should be adequate dining, seating, beds, cutlery etc. for the standard occupancy in the villa. Please note that in some properties it is not always possible for the furnishings within the lounge/dining area or villa exterior to accommodate all occupants at any time.

Most Villas are designed for hot and dry weather, experienced through the summer, and may not be so well suited to wet or cold spells as your home.

Villas will be supplied with sun beds, but these belong to the owner and can vary from property to property. Owners are not obliged to supply sun umbrellas. Due to breakages the style supplied at the property may differ from the original ones shown on the website.

All the villas featured have been visited by us, and it is important that you not only read the individual descriptions but also speak to us to obtain a better understanding of each villa and the surrounding area. If you have specific requirements, please call us or email us so we can ensure you are choosing the right villa for your holiday.

The accommodation we offer is classified as Car Essential, Car Recommended or Car Optional:

Car Essential – you will require a car to reach supermarkets, restaurants, and other amenities.
Car Recommended – there are a few amenities within walking distance, although some amenities will require a car to get to.
Car Optional – the property is within walking distance of supermarkets or mini markets, restaurants and other amenities.

Assistance in Resort

We will provide you with a mobile number for your SP Holidays representative who will be on call 7 days a week, should you require assistance in any way. We advise all our clients to take a mobile with them in case they need to contact us.

Villa Service

Water, electric and gas consumption is included in the villa rental cost. Unfortunately, it is the case that some resorts can occasionally suffer from water or electricity shortages, and supplies can be cut off with no notice, for varying periods of time. We ask for your patience and cooperation in such instances, as you will appreciate, these situations are out of our control.

Please remember that the electricity supply may be different to your home, and as such you will be limited to the number of electrical items that can be run simultaneously, and this tends to be the usual cause of any power shortages. In many properties, a power failure will also lead to water failure as the water is pumped using an electrical pump.

If you have any difficulties, you should be able to find the location and directions to reset the fuse box in your villa manual.

Pools, Garden and General Maintenance

The maid will usually visit up to twice per week, including your arrival day unless stated otherwise. Their duties are to make the beds, clean the floors and bathrooms and to do a limited amount of light cleaning. Towels should be changed twice weekly and bed linen once per week, including your arrival day. Linen is supplied. Please note that maids are not responsible for laundry or washing up and we ask that you keep the property tidy and leave it as you would expect to find it.

If your property has a barbecue, please ensure you leave it in a clean condition, as no maid service is included in the upkeep of this facility. Please note that beach/pool towels are not supplied and these should be taken with you unless otherwise stated. We kindly ask all guests not to use the bath towels supplied at the property, for the beach or around the pool.

It is important that the pool man, maid, and gardener are allowed to carry out their duties to look after the villas, however, due to their workload, the times of their visits cannot be fixed and may not always be convenient to everyone. We kindly ask for your co-operation when they visit. It is also not uncommon for the maintenance staff/maid/owner to live within a property’s boundary.

Cleaning equipment such as washing up liquid and dishcloths are not supplied in any of our properties. Additional cleaning/maid service can usually be arranged at an additional cost, please contact us for details.

Check-in and Check-out

Occupancy of the villa is from 4:00 PM on the arrival date, leaving at 10:00 AM on the departure day, so it can be adequately prepared for new arrivals. It can take considerable time to clean a villa on changeover days and the maid may still be tidying up should you arrive before 4:00 PM. On your departure day, the maid may arrive at your villa as early as 8:00 AM.

The ground surface inside and outside the villa may be wet due to the maid cleaning them on your arrival, departure and any other day when maid service is carried out. Be aware of the ground condition at all times and be cautious by taking the necessary steps to ensure your safety especially that of children and the elderly. At other times, ground areas open to the elements or subject to dousing in water from the swimming pool may be wet and caution is required at all times.

Details regarding your key collection will be sent to you upon reception of the balance payment. Collection points do vary depending on the destination and the accommodation you are travelling to.

Most of our villas have a secure key box fitted close to the front door of the villa, where the key is left. In this case, the key for the front door will be placed there, prior to your arrival. The key box requires a 4-digit access code which will be issued to you prior to your departure. There will be a fee for replacing a lost key. On the day of departure, please make sure to put the key back in the key box.

Before departing the villa, please make sure you have collected all of your belongings. Any personal items left behind will be collected by the management company.

We can arrange for luggage storage in case of early arrivals or late departures provided you advise us of this requirement beforehand.

Extra Beds, Cots, High Chairs and Child Gates

An extra bed can be provided for most of our villas for an additional fee, however, this is usually a fold-up Z-bed type, more suited to children. Please note that the villa’s amenities may not necessarily allow for an extra person.

If you require a cot or high chair please request it at the time of booking in order that we can ensure it is at the property on your arrival. Cots are provided locally and will differ from those you may use at home, and in some resorts, a travel cot will be supplied. Please note that for hygiene reasons they are supplied without cot linen, which you should take with you. These can be added to the accommodation as an extra at the time of booking, please refer to the Holiday Extras section for the applicable charges.

Child gates are available free of charge, where it is possible to fit these in individual villas. Please ask our reservations team if your chosen villa can have a child gate fitted, at the time of booking.

Kitchens

Kitchens include a hob, oven, fridge-freezer, basic cooking utensils, cutlery, and crockery. Most of our accommodation has additional facilities such as washing machines, dishwashers or microwave ovens. Irons and ironing boards are usually provided. These are shown in the villa description where available.

Please note that cleaning products or materials are not provided and any condiments or leftover food supplies are usually removed for hygiene reasons. Although our properties are checked regularly, crockery, cutlery, and other equipment may become damaged through regular use or removal. Please report any damaged or missing items to our resort staff so that we have the opportunity to repair or replace the item.

Rubbish

You will be required to take your rubbish on a daily basis to a nearby collection point. Please do assist by doing this, as it not only reduces the risk of unpleasant smells but also removes the risk of insect infestation. Bottles must always be disposed of separately. Many supermarket car parks have bottle-recycling collection facilities.

Barbecues

All our villas have barbecues and where possible they are brick-built. It is not the maid’s responsibility to clean barbecues, therefore, we kindly ask guests to leave them in a reasonable and usable condition. We have asked owners to supply cleaning implements.

Air Conditioning & Central Heating

Whether the cost of any air-conditioning is included in the villa price or paid for as an extra, the units must only be used while you are in the property, with all windows and doors kept closed. Under no circumstances must the units be left on continuously while the property is unoccupied. Portable heaters and fans may be available to hire. Please contact us to confirm.

Satellite TV/Video/DVD/Games Consoles

If the written description for a property indicates satellite television you can expect to receive at least one free-to-air English language channel, which may be a news channel. Subscription channels, including Sky and Free Sat, are not available unless stated in the property description. A number of our properties are equipped with standard televisions which will only receive local foreign language channels. We cannot guarantee the suitability of the channels received and would recommend you use the same care and supervision with children as you would do at home. If a villa is equipped with a DVD, video or games console, you will need to provide your own DVDs/games.

Electricity

Electricity is 220 AC with continental twin plugs. Please remember to bring an adapter when taking any electrical items with you. Your villa’s electricity supply may not always be as constant as in your home. You may find that the electricity will “trip off” if too many appliances are used at once. If this happens, simply turn off some appliances and reset the main fuse box (the location and full details will be in the villa manual). Please be careful, as it can get very dark and if in doubt, please contact your SP Holidays representative.

Smoking

We request that guests refrain from smoking within the villa or accommodation and ask that cigarette stubs and ash be disposed of carefully away from the villa grounds.

Drinking Water

Tap water in Portugal is generally safe to drink, however, due to the taste and high mineral content in some regions being attributed to stomach upsets, it is advised that you purchase bottled water which is readily available in most food outlets for a low charge.

Holiday Extras

Please refer to our Holiday Extras section to check the available extras as well as their charges.

Internet, Wi-Fi, and Telephone

Please note that our villas do not have telephones. We recommend that clients take mobile phones in case of an emergency.

Internet access and WiFi are available when stated in the relevant accommodation description and may be subject to a service charge. You will also be asked for a refundable deposit which is payable locally or prior to your arrival.

The quality of the signal may vary from villa to villa and at different times of the day. Other restrictions may be introduced by the service providers based on, but not limited to, technical issues and/or high demand and it is likely that websites providing video streaming services will also be restricted. Whilst we will endeavour that you can make the maximum use of the service afforded, we are not in a position to guarantee:

The availability of the service at all times;
The speed at which information may be transmitted or received via the service;
That the service will be compatible with your equipment or any software which you use.

SP Holidays accepts no responsibility for the loss of any internet connection or service or any subsequent consequences thereof, and we will not offer any compensation for the same. Your use of the service must not be unlawful or otherwise inappropriate and we have no responsibility for, or control over, the information you transmit or receive via the service.

Insects/Animals

Mosquitoes, ants, cockroaches and other insects are common in warmer climates, particularly in the country areas. Ant powders are a good repellent but it also helps to keep crumbs to a minimum and regularly remove rubbish from your property to keep them under control. Mosquitoes can be kept at bay by a good repellent, which can be purchased from local chemists and supermarkets. Many of our properties are surrounded by gardens, so mice and other rodents, native reptiles and arachnids are also common, along with local farm animals.

Local dogs and cats sometimes roam around unattended and may cause a disturbance, so we ask that you do not encourage stray animals by feeding them. Many local families keep dogs, which live outdoors and may sometimes be heard barking. We, therefore, ask for your patience and understanding should they occur.

Please note in accordance with the requirements of the property owners we are unable to allow pets in any of the accommodations.

Building Work

Many resorts are still developing and therefore there is a possibility of building work, roadworks, or construction work, which may be carried out by local authorities or private developers. We have no control nor are given any prior notice of any building or maintenance work. However, should we become aware of any building work which may have a negative impact on the enjoyment of your holiday, we will notify you as soon as possible. Whenever possible, we will endeavour to offer you a suitable alternative accommodation. If we are unable to offer an alternative, you may elect to cancel your holiday. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for the applicable terms. If you have not been made aware of active building work prior to travel, but do find that your holiday is being affected significantly because of local construction/building/maintenance, we would ask you to contact your SP Holidays representative immediately as often these building works can be stopped in the summer season.

Whilst we assure you of our best endeavours to minimize any inconvenience we regret that we cannot accept any liability in this case.

Leisure Resorts

Although every effort is made to ensure the information contained within the various Leisure Resort details is correct, this information has been provided by the specific resorts and therefore SP Holidays cannot take responsibility for its accuracy. All the facilities listed are provided by the resort, and the management of the resort is responsible for the quality and provision of facilities, services, and staff. Unfortunately, some facilities may not be available at certain times of the year, or at times when maintenance work is required or events are being held. In addition, local charges apply to some of the Leisure Resort facilities.

Winter Rentals

Some of our villas are available for winter rentals from November to April. Although the weather in the Algarve can be less predictable during the winter months, temperatures are usually well above those in the UK and other Northern European countries and the winter sun is still very pleasant, which is why this area is so popular. Although you may find that some Winter days can be cold and rainy, you can rest assured that the sun does not hide away for weeks, as it does in the UK. This is also the best time to enjoy a game of golf in one of the more than 30 golf courses on offer in the Algarve. Many bars, restaurants, and clubs remain open over this period, especially in the main towns and bigger resorts.

Transfers

Transfers are not included with the villa price but are available to book through us (just ask for a quote). In all cases, transfers are by private taxi car or minibus and direct to the villa, an appropriate size vehicle will be ordered, however where this is not available a larger vehicle may be used.

If you need to collect a key on the way, please let your driver know, they are usually quite happy to accommodate your request. Child seats are a legal requirement for all children under 12, however, it is the passenger’s responsibility to provide this, not the drivers. Most of our transfer companies will provide child seats free of charge or for a small fee, these must be requested in advance.

Welcome Packs

Basic food packs can be provided for an additional charge. If you anticipate arriving when shops may be closed you should consider ordering one. Please be aware that the cost of a food pack also includes the cost of delivery and time spent to shop for the items. A welcome pack can be purchased at the time of booking but we do not cater for particular demands/allergies. This pack is designed to allow light refreshments upon arrival should the shops be closed.

Walking Distance

For information purposes, we have defined our villas as ‘walking distance to’ beaches, shops, and restaurants. On this site, we assume a 15-minute walk is generally acceptable by most clients and therefore any villa within theoretically a 15-minute walk or less from the specified facility is categorized as being within walking distance. The formula used to calculate this is based on an average walking speed of 4mph. This does not take into consideration any inclines or possible road closures etc.

Driving

In Portugal, you drive on the right-hand side and overtake on the left. Please make sure you bring your driver’s license with you if you are planning on driving whilst on holiday. The minimum driving age is 21 years.

Local Attractions / Activities / Excursions

All local attractions, activities, and excursions referred to in our Activities in the Algarve section are independent and provided by third-party suppliers and not SP Holidays.

Travelers with Disabilities

Some of the holiday accommodations we feature may be less suitable than others for guests with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users. It is therefore important that when inquiring about a holiday, you inform our travel advisers of any special requirements you or a party member may have. By informing us, you help us to ensure that we offer the most suitable property for your needs. Please note that it may not always be possible to accommodate your special requirements.

Children’s Safety

SP Holidays does not claim that any accommodation is totally child-friendly or safe and care should always be taken, especially around the pool area, balconies, main roads, non-fenced areas, etc. with supervision being given to children at all times. Some Accommodation is better suited than others for young children and the less mobile. The Customer should fully investigate the suitability of the accommodation before booking. Parents are responsible for the actions of their children at all times.

Personal Health and Safety

If you or any member of your party is an expectant mother or suffers from any pre-existing medical condition, you must check with your doctor about the advisability of travelling abroad and where required, carry a fit-to-fly certificate valid for the duration of your holiday dates. You must advise us at the time of booking of any special requests so that we may check if the booking arrangements are suitable. In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking. Although we will do our best to accommodate our client’s requests, we regret that we cannot guarantee they will always be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract on our part.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and allows you to state healthcare at a reduced cost or for free. The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance, but it is important to have both an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy.

Unfortunately, crimes against people and property have become a fact of life throughout the world. We, therefore, advise all customers to be extra vigilant and ensure that great care is taken of your property and personal safety. You must ensure all the windows, shutters and doors are locked at night and where available, set the security alarm, in addition to when you are away from the property. Adequate travel insurance is essential to cover your personal belongings – there are usually limitations placed on money and valuables so check your policy carefully. Please refer to our Health & Safety information for further advice.

Behaviour

In the event that you or any member of your party behaves in a way that causes distress, annoyance or injury to others, damage to property or does not respect or conform to local laws and customs, we reserve the right to terminate your holiday forthwith. In such an event, we will have no further liability or financial responsibility for you and you will have to meet any costs or expenses incurred as a result of your behavior.

Festivals

Local festivals are held throughout the year in our destinations and although they can be enjoyable, there may be extra noise late at night in certain areas. Shops, banks, bars, restaurants and other facilities may be closed.

Weather

Our resorts enjoy many more sunny days than at home but occasionally it does rain heavily. The villas may not be suited to poor weather conditions which may result in temporary water ingress into the villa, watermarks appearing on ceilings or walls or dampness.

Breakages / Security Deposit

Accidental Damage Waiver

A non-refundable €24,00 breakage charge will be added to your invoice, covering up to 4 people staying at the accommodation, and for bookings of 5 or more people, there will be an additional €6,00 charge per person. This charge, known as an Accidental Damage Waiver (ADW) will be added to your confirmation invoice and is payable with your holiday balance. This is to cover accidental damages that may occur in your accommodation during your holiday, up to the value of €300,00 (except in some leisure resorts and certain accommodations, where a refundable breakage deposit will be payable locally or prior to arrival). This waiver excludes negligence and vandalism.

Security Deposit

Some villas have a Security Deposit which is used to protect villa owners or local suppliers against breakages, loss, damage, unpaid local charges, additional housekeeping and any other charges. The cost of the Security Deposit will be included on your confirmation invoice and payable with your holiday balance. This amount will be refunded to you within one week of your return date, less any damage, losses, unpaid bills etc. In the event of substantial damage/abuse to a villa, you will have to leave and find alternative accommodation at your own cost. Should the Security Deposit prove inadequate to fully cover any costs that arise, then we reserve the right to invoice you for immediate payment.

Single Sex or Young Parties

All single-sex and/or young parties will be charged a Security Deposit, which will be included on your confirmation invoice and is payable with your holiday balance. Our owners require us to charge any all-female or male groups or mixed groups between 18-25 years €150.00 EACH or by the maximum number of beds, whichever is greater.

This amount will normally be refunded to you within one week of your return date, less any deductions if applicable. Should the Security Deposit prove inadequate to fully cover any costs that arise, then we reserve the right to invoice you for immediate payment.

N.B. On behalf of our owners, we reserve the right to charge a Security Deposit for any booking or to increase the level of Security Deposit.

Missed Flights

SP Holidays will not be held responsible for any liability should you miss your flight due to not checking in at the correct time.

Problems and Complaints

In the unlikely event, that you should have a problem during your holiday, you must notify us immediately, either through your SP Holidays representative or directly to our office, so that we are able to rectify the reported issue. Once we are notified of the problem, we will investigate it immediately and will inform you of the time allowance required to rectify it. All our suppliers and representatives must be given the opportunity to resolve any issues brought to our attention and allowances be made by you for any local conditions regarding the reasonable amount of time taken to rectify the problem.

We do not accept complaints made after the guest’s departure as it deprives of the opportunity to investigate and rectify them in a timely manner. Failure to report the complaint locally will affect your claim rights.

Claims for compensation will only be considered where it is proven that any reported problem had a prolonged or major impact on the enjoyment of the holiday booked.

Currency

The local currency in Portugal is the Euro (€).

Resort Office

We have a dedicated resort office ready to handle your call and to deal with any situation that may arise, for arranging local excursions and general resort information and advice.

Website Accuracy

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained on our website is accurate, however, some of the advertised facilities may alter or be temporarily withdrawn by the suppliers without giving us prior notice. Errors and omissions can occur and prices may alter due to circumstances beyond our control.

Updates to this Essential Information

We reserve the right to update our Essential Information from time to time. The Essential Information updates will be posted on this page, with a clear indication of its revision date.