La lap try http://www.freedomdirect.co.uk http://www.hotelopia.co.uk. they both have a wide choice of accommodations. http://www.clubepraiadaoura.com clube praia da oura is a resort which is on the beach, although they do have some apartments which are not and you would possibly have to request a beach view. The website incorporates 3 resorts, Oura View beach club (which is also on the beach), Oura Praia Aparthotel (which is approx 500yds from the beach) & Clube Praia da Oura itself. All nice accommodations but dont know whether the prices will be in your range.They are situated on the east side of Albufeira Old town, but only a short walk to the tourist train stop which is situated on The Strip (Areias Sao Joao, Albufeira New town). Also have a look at http://www.freemaps.net where you can download maps of the area, which contain lots of info on restaurants etc. Good luck with your search. Cheers Jayjan

Ooh, it's so lovely to have a secret like that!

If you don't know the area you might find the Albufeira.com website very useful as they have excellent interactive maps for Albufeira and the surrounding area, a great Beach Guide and lots of info/links for hotels and apartments.

thank you for your tips

jayjan, I looked at praia doura, it looks gorgeous but not available for when we go

have also been looking on the albufeira website. think it was too tall an order to get all the things I wanted.
am now looking further up the coast to armacao de pera (spelling?). looks lovely and quite simple and a beach.
the problem is keeping it from him, I havent told a soul, except you guys but I believe you can keep a secret.
I did this a couple of years ago and we went to turkey, he thought we were off to norfolk broads!
he hasnt even hazarded a guess this year.
many thanks for helping me
hugs la x

La-la,
Armacao has been subject to almost uncontrolled development over the past couple of years and older photographs may not give an accurate reflection. All I'm saying is research it thoroughly before you make a decision.

What about private rental? Available:-

For instance £389 http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/albufeira/58228

Also try http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/albufeira/s/447/fa/find.squery/urvs/40

Hi there

Finally I have been able to access my computer without my husband around
I have booked us into the Forte Da Oura for the week, I have checked the reviews and most are saying good things. I think its near Albufeira.
I am so excited, have nearly let the cat out of the bag a couple of times
Many thanks for all your help, if anybody knows anything about the apartments or the area please update me.
a big thank you for the warning re armacao de pera, that wouldnt have ticked the boxes for us.

biggest hugs la x

Hi la - glad you got sorted

Have you arranged transfers yet?

No I havent and the link I had saved (havent a clue who it was) I mistakenly deleted!
have you any tips?
I would be happy doing a shuttle as our flight will land approx 9am so we probably cant check in till afternoon.
hugs la x

Hi there

followmetours.net are a company that I have used a few times - very good prices and we have always
found themto be very reliable. Nice friendly chatty drivers too.

There's also algarve-365.com which is run by ex-pats now living in the Algarve.
I have chatted on line (on another forum) to one of the drivers quite a few times, a really friendly, helpful
bloke. I didn't know at the time that he was connected to the company either.
But their prices are very good too, so that's worth a look...

Forte Da Oura is in a great area.
We stay in the same area (Santa Eulalia / Praia Da Oura) and love it.
You have lots of really good bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity, but you are only about 10 mins
walk from the new town area of the Strip.

There's a bus stop to the Old Town just by your aparthotel, or if you fancy walking it's about 30 mins,
or 5 minutes and 5 euro's in a taxi.

Well done on your choice! You'll have a great time!