Hi doe, and a happy new year to you and yours.
Haven't actually used the accommodation myself but we were speaking to a Canadian couple last year (May?Sept?) who were staying in the one situated just behind the hotel Golfinho and they said they couldn't fault it.
The site and properties are privately owned by a couple who visited Lagos years ago and, like us, fell in love with the place.
From my own,fairly extensive, knowledge of the town, everything on the website appears to be properly researched and accurate;they don't seem to make claims about the place which aren't true - certainly, as far as restaurants are concerned, whenever we decide to search out a new restaurant we very often choose one from their list and have never disagreed with their assessment.
I certainly would have no qualms about using them.One thing I would say,though,is,if you're considering booking one,move fast because lots of Canadians use them and they (the Canadians) seem to tend to plan their holidays well in advance.
Although not a personal recommendation, I hope this helps a bit.

Sagres

I thought their info looked good. They book the Vilabranca apartments and I think the others they book are Vila Dona Ana. Which ones are behind the Hotel Golfino?

Having booked my flights I now feel under pressure to book some accommodation, as it's new year I'm quessing most peoples thoughts will turn to their holidays. It doesn't help that I am looking at the last 2 weeks of July which I assume are quite popular! I've just got to narrow it down really. Know wonder I've never booked DIY before the choice is mind boggeling.

I would be quite happy to be on holiday with Canadians, I'm sure they are pleasant company.

No probs. doe.
The Vila Dona Ana is the one near the Golfinho.
Just to avoid possible confusion, don't get them confused with Via Dona Ana,which is a totally different property situated between the Vila Dona Ana and the Vilabranca apartments ( and which gets mixed reviews.)
Is it self-catering you are looking for or are you happy with B/B ?If the latter,p.m. me and I may be able to give you some recommendations from personal experience.

chris have you still not booked well i was gonna say next years holiday but its now this years .

good luck and Happy new year to you all

lyn

Hi Lyn Happy New Year.

Well I've sort of booked, as I've got my flights so I suppose thats a start. I don't think I am suited to DIY as it gives me too many options. Also I have totally convinced myself that easyjet will mess up the flights and we will have to swim to Portugal.

I'm getting lots of help from Sagres who has a wealth of knowledge on Lagos which is just about stopping me from rushing back to the comfort of my brochures. I suppose you are looking for 2008/9 now?

I stayed at Vilabranca aparments in Oct and have nothing but praise for them. Thet are only 10 minutes easy walk from Lagos center and have 2 pools and their own bar/restaurant, although these tend to be a bit pricey. There is a very reasonable mini supermarket 2 minutes walk from the aparments with the "Pinguin" restaurant next to the shop; This restaurant I will ertainly recommend as very good value for money. e.g. 3 course dinner with wine, coffee etc, for 2 people cost 30 euros. I have also corresponded with the couple who own http://www.simplylagos.com and have no doubt that they are very honest people. They own 2 of the apartments at Vilabranca. As they are currently offering one of them for sale, I would book a holiday pronto with them if you want the accommodation. Also there is a free bus service from the apartments to Lagos center and the local beach and back.

actually i have always liked Easyjet.always been really impressed on the couple of occasions we have used them . everything will be fine.

no not looked at 2008 yet - spent far too much on what i have booked and not yet paid for for this year. Egypt, turkey and normandy. + my eldest son has his heart set on leaving school after his GCSEs in the summer for an apprenticeship so cant really plan anything until we know what he will do. Thats why im cramming so much in this year.

good luck with your booking sounds like sagres is doing a fine job there in helping you out.

lyn

Hi Dan (I think it was either yourself or Bertie that mentioned simplylagos to me on another thread).

Thanks for your reply. Would you say that a one bedroomed apartment is large enough for 4, as well as us, we have a 12 and 14 year old to accommodate? (one of the reasons I have been looking at 2 bed apartments or getting 2 twin rooms in an hotel.)

However, I would be happy with a one bed apartment provided the lounge part is on the large side and it has two single sofa-beds?

I've looked at them on a number of sites and Vilabranca do look like one of the nicer sets af apartments. Most af the apartments are deemed to be 3* but Vilabranca are down as 4* so I am assuming they must be better appointed.

Thanks, Doe

Thet are only 10 minutes easy walk from Lagos center

I don't know what fitness regime you are on,Dan,but I should think Paula Ratcliffe would be struggling to do it in 10 minutes (even if she didn't stop for a tinkle )

Hi doepsmc
I think it was me who mentioned simplylagos. They were recommended to me by Alan Sutton from Owners in Portugal, whom I used for an airport transfer last year, and am using again this year. He knows the owners, and so might be able to answer any queries you have.
Incidentally, I found a brilliant interactive map of Lagos the other day, a sort of google earth type thing, but shows Lagos in great detail. I managed to pinpoint exactly where I am staying this year.
I'll try and find it again tonight and post a link.

Hi Bertie

I knew someone on here mentioned the simplylagos site, sorry I didn't remember it was you . I've been searching about on the accommodation only websites this afternoon. I am getting availability for the marina park, vilabranca, vila dona anna and marina club(last one is most expensive) plus quite a few others so I'm assuming the accommodation is not going to run out overnight.

I think I now may be able to manage with a one bedroomed, if so that makes it a great deal easier as there is much more choice. Does Alan Sutton have his own site?

If you can find the interactive map I would be grateful if you could post the link. Are you going in May? Must seem a lot closer now we have passed into the new year. Cheers. Doe.

Hi Doe,

I've found the site, but trying post a link seems to be above me.
If you visit http://www.algarvedigital.pt on the opening page there is a box marked Mapas on the left hand side. Click on this to bring up a map of the Algarve. Ignore the guitar playing Santa at the bottom but click on the magnifying glass with a + sign at the top of the map. Then place the curser over Lagos and click away whilst zooming in. You should eventually get a clear view of Lagos, which you can then quite easily navigate around. The site is only in Portuguese, so a bit of guesswork is needed.
Sorry to be so long winded, but I just could not work out how to post a link.
And yes it is May we are going, can't wait.

bertie

Ive just been on it. Your instructions are fine, as I've managed to navigate my way round it, and I'm not at all IT savvy.

Hi Doe,

glad you managed to follow my instructions.
Alan Sutton's site is http://www.ownersinportugal.org also, VilaBranca apartments can be booked direct at http://www.vila-branca.com not sure how their rates compare though.

DOEPMSC

Would you say that a one bedroomed apartment is large enough for 4,

There is a studio couch in the laounge which pulls out into another bed. However I don't think that the 1 bedroom apartment would really be suitable for 4.

Thanks Dan, I thought that might be the case.

I have come across this website while researching the Dona Ana area for property. I have since stayed a number of times in this condominium and found it to be top class and ideal for everyone including children. The most recent accomodation I used can be found at the following link and I can recommend it heartily

The following is the link to their website

holiday lettings.co.uk/rentals/lagos/14762

Good luck - persevere Lagos is really one of the true unspolt gems to holiday in. Don't worry about Easyjet or Ryanair - they are no worse than the rest just their horror stories make the news and they are few and far between

Hi scissors

Thanks for the information, re Vila Dona Ana could you tell me do they have 2 bedroomed apartments, and are they close to the beach?

Thank you, Doe

Hi Doe

Yes they are very close to the beaches Dona Ana and Porto do Mos. A lot of good restaurants around and only a short stroll down to the main town

They are owned by an Irish family with young kids. Their email address is mcmulleng@shannondev.ie

rgds

Scissors