A few questions,

How old are the kids?

How do you plan to get from the airport to the resort? Public transport links from the airport to the resorts is not good, especially if the kids are young, so you'd probably be better off with a private transfer mini-bus - how long a journey (in hours) would be acceptable for this?

Hi Steve,

The kids are 3, 9 and 12.
I thought maybe a transfer could be arranged or get a taxi from the airport. We idealy would like to be at our accomadation within the hour, the kids get bored travelling as do I.

Thanks
Sha33a

Firstly, transfer wise, a pre-booked transfer will invariably work out cheaper than a taxi hailed at the airport - have a look at Polotur's website for prices. An hour's travelling by private transfer would put virtually all of the Eastern Algarve within reach and as far as, say, Luz to the West. If you decide to economise and elect for a shared transfer, then you could incur waiting time at Faro and also be taken 'round the houses' dropping off other passengers.
As far as entertainment for the youngsters is concerned, you are only likely to find organised children's entertainment at hotels used by the major tour operators.
Why not consider Lagos? It falls within your hour travelling time and, although there will be youngsters in town, has a wealth of street entertainers and usually a kiddies' carousel in town. Lagos zoo is within travelling distance and on the public bus route and there are great beaches as well as water- based activities available from the Marina.Have a look at the self- catering apartments available at the Marina (Marina Park is a little further out of town.) As an added benefit, Lagos is on the Algarve rail network and transport to other resorts on the Algarve is relatively inexpensive.
Shout if you need further info.

Self catering isn't my speciallity but at least we've narrowed down the search area for the rest! The only complex I know anything about is http://www.pedrasdarainha.com/uk/index.htm because I know someone who has used a villa there and really liked the complex - and he didn't have a car either. He also found it easy to get into Tavira, either for the evening or to use the proper supermarkets and local market. The local railway station is near the complex and it's a cheap taxi ride back if it's late or you've got shopping to carry. Obviously you can use the train to visit other places like Vila Real St Antonio (ferry across river to Spain), Olhao and Faro. The website does mention a Mini Club which I presume means it for kids rather than just being a small room!!

If you like the look of it do a Google search on the name and limit it to UK sites, you'll find that several booking agents like Expedia will have it on their books and you can compare their prices with booking direct.

We found the Marina Club apartments at Lagos good for our family, but we are only four, so could manage with a one bedroomed apartment, you would need a two bed as there are five of you.

The complex has a reasonable sized swimming pool for Lagos and has a supermarket within walking distance, and you can also walk to the cafes and restaurants in about ten (possibly 15 with little ones) mins. The beach is also within walking distance.

Other apartments I researched in Lagos were Vilabranca, these also looked nice, but are at the back of the resort. I beleive they have two bedroomed ones as well so they might be ones to have a look at as well but you would need to make sure the location was OK for you.

Thomson used to book these apartments, but as you have your own flights you would need to see if you could either book privately or book them as accommodation only on the Thomson site. I was thinking of these as you mention entertainment and I would think Thomson would lay on activites for kids (no entertainment as such in the Marina club, most apartments are privately owned).

I have also stayed in the Eastern Algarve (Cabanas) but it was some years ago. This is also a good resort for families but smaller than Lagos. We stayed at the Golden Club, which I beleive is still there and had a huge pool, you need to get a little boat to the beach. You would need to read up to date reviews though as it's a long time since we were there. At the time they were basic, 3 key apartments, but I would think they would have had a re-furb by now.

I booked these with Thomas Cook and at the time they did lay on entertainmet, kids club etc, but my kids have never been in to this so I couldn't comment on the quality and it may have changed.

Hope you get something suitable.

Doe

Hi,
My wife and I have holidayed in the Algarve six times in the last four years, the last four times we have stayed at the Santa Eulalia Aparthotel on the outskirts of Albufeira.
Transfer time is about 45 mins.
Do not confuse the Santa Eulalia Aparthotel with The Santa Eulalia Beach Club, that is a five star complex with five star prices.
The aparthotel was upgraded over the winter 07 - 08 and when we returned in June 08 we were delighted with the transformation. We always booked a studio as that suited our purpose but I know there are one and two bedroom apartments available.
All apartments are air conditioned, have satellite tv showing all british channels, cooker, fridge, over bath shower, plenty of hanging and drawer space and a balcony or terrace.
Service is excellent, towels changed every two days, linen changed weekly, rubbish taken away daily.
There is not a restaurant, just a bar which does serve snacks.
There are two excellent bars/restaurants 100 yards away, one is Teasers the other The Coyote Bar.
The complex has an excellent pool and kiddies pool, and just off to one side there is a screened lawned area with flowering shrubs where wrinklies like my wife and I can relax and sunbathe without being splashed by those in the pools.
There are plenty pubs and restaurants within a couple of hundred yards walk from the complex, all reasonably priced and the food is excellent.
The "Strip", which is a mile long street of pubs clubs and restaurant is a 15 mins. walk. OK up till about 11pm then it is invaded by the younger crowd and can get a bit noisy.
The Old Town is a 30mins. walk down a very steep hill so the return can be a bit arduous. However there is a motorised train which runs every 20 mins. and is very cheap.
Beware touts on the strip, they are very aggressive as are the Eastern European beggars.
There are several beaches within walking distance but these tend to be very busy with the locals between 8am and noon.
There are two open air markets a short bus run away but like all markets on the continent they are extremely busy and a very warm place to be.
If you do decide to go, don't book the trip with the travel company, the price they charge is four times thelocal bus fare.
I hope you have as good a time as we have had for the past 4 years.
JimL

Thanks for all your replys.

I checked them all out and most had no availability for my dates
Not to worry though - I have booked a very nice 2 bedroom rooftop apartment! Complete with DVD player n games!! haha.
Somewhere near Tavira n Santa Luzia. 28 weeks and counting now!!

Think I have got everything we will need for the two weeks - everything in close walking distance - nice beaches - night life if and when we want it - BBQ on the roof terrace and large pool!!

Jobs a good un!!

Cheers

Sha33a

Sounds Brilliant ! Enjoy yourselves.

That sounds wonderful Sha33a! Well done!