Booking Conditions

Date: 24th November 2020 

1. Contract

PopularVillas.com is a trading name owned by Summer Tours Viagens e Turismo, Lda. The following Booking Terms & Conditions together with the information contained on our website, the Essential Information, Stay Safe on Holiday, Privacy policy, and any other written information brought to your attention before we confirm your booking, form the basis of your accommodation contract with the Owner or with Summer Tours Viagens e Turismo Lda ‘we’ or ‘us’ and ‘our’. Make sure you read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations. In these Booking Terms & Conditions references to 'you' and 'your' means the party leader and all persons named under the booking.

2. Prices 

We reserve the right to alter any of our advertised accommodation prices. You will be advised of the current price of the accommodation that you wish to book before your contract is confirmed. 

3. Making a booking and payment: 

When you have chosen your accommodation and you make a request to us to book it, you must pay a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the full cost of the booking. If booking within 8 weeks of arrival, you must pay the full cost of your booking when you book. When you pay for your accommodation by credit or debit card, no surcharge is payable except in the following circumstances: 

When you pay for your accommodation by credit or debit card, no surcharge is payable except in the following circumstances: 

Where either you or your payment service provider is located outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

Where you pay for your booking using a commercial debit or credit card. In these circumstances, we reserve the right to levy a 2.0% handling charge for each payment made by these means. 

Travel documents will not be issued until your booking has been paid for in full. 

Your booking is confirmed and a contract between us exists when we issue our confirmation invoice/email to you.  

We reserve the right to return your deposit and decline to issue a booking confirmation at our absolute discretion. 

Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport. If you have paid a deposit, the balance of the cost of your accommodation is due 8 weeks before departure. If it is not received in time, we will cancel your booking and retain your deposit. The cost of your accommodation does not include any extra chargeable services that you may use whilst at the accommodation. These are payable direct to the accommodation provider. 

All payments must be made in Euros. 

4. Your holiday price 

Included in the accommodation price: 

• Rental of the accommodation for the booked period; 
• Maid service from 1 time per week; 
• Change of towels twice a week (once mid-week and once on the end of one week) and linen once a week (on the end of a week); 
  
• Costs of water, electricity, gas, swimming pool and garden maintenance. 

Please note that winter rentals and long term lets may be subject to additional charges and the rates may not include maid service or the cost for the electricity, gas or water supplies. 

Not included but available against extra payment: 

• Pool heating (when applicable); 
• Cots (0 - 2 years old); 
• High chairs; 
• Food pack; 

All prices include VAT. 

We reserve the right to amend the price of unsold accommodation at any time and to correct errors in the prices of confirmed bookings. Government action such as increases in VAT, or any other Government imposed increases will result in surcharges being added to your final holiday cost. 

5. Booking info 

• You are required to inform us of your flight number(s) and arrival time, at least 2 days prior to the arrival day; 
• The number of people staying at the villa cannot exceed the amount of people booked and paid for; 
• We recommend you acquire time limited travel insurance prior to your departure. We will not be held accountable for missing or stolen objects in and outside the accommodation; 
• No pets allowed  
• Minimum stay 1 week (7 nights). 

6. Damage to property and Accidental Damage Waiver 

Bookings are subject to a non-refundable Accidental Damage Waiver, which is applied to your confirmation/invoice 

If you or any member of your party cause any damage to your accommodation or any item in it or on its premises, you and/or your party will be required to pay for the loss and/or damage caused, and we will hold you and each member of your party jointly and individually responsible. Unless the damage was caused accidentally and results in losses below €150, full payment for any such damage or losses must be paid directly to the accommodation owner or the supplier prior to departure from the accommodation. 

 Where a refundable Accidental Damage Deposit has been paid, this deposit will be retained by us or local supplier in part payment of the losses you cause. (See also clause 14). 

7. Your accommodation 

Accommodation is reserved only for the persons named on the Booking Form. No other persons are permitted to stay in the property without our written permission nor shall it exceed the maximum number for the property. Unauthorised over-occupancy can result in penalty charges and/or immediate cancellation of the right to occupy the property. You agree not to use the property for any purpose other than as a private holiday residence for the people you list. If guests have friends staying in another property, at the same time, and they wish to invite them to use their facilities, they must first ask at our management office: Popular Villas – Estrada da Galé, Loja G, Sesmarias 8200-385 Albufeira 

You should, on departure, leave the accommodation in a reasonably clean and tidy condition so that we can efficiently prepare it for our next guests. If additional cleaning is necessary, a charge will be made locally, or an invoice will be done to you at the resort. 

8. Transfer of bookings 

If any member of your party is, for any reason, prevented from traveling, the lead party person may transfer their place to someone else (provided they meet all the conditions applicable to the holiday booked). We require prior notification of these changes no less than 14 days before your holiday arrival date. 

9. If you change your booking 

If you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, once your booking has been confirmed (for example your chosen departure date or accommodation) we will do our utmost to accommodate these changes, however, it may not always be possible. Any requested changes may be subject to additional costs. The exact amount of that cost will be notified to you before you choose to proceed with any changes. 

Where we are unable to assist you and you do not wish to proceed with the original booking, we will treat this as a cancellation by you. Please refer to the applicable cancellation terms. 

10. If you cancel your booking: 

 Cancellation by You 

Should a booking be cancelled before full payment is due, the deposit paid is forfeited. Should a booking be cancelled, after making the full payment, there will be no refund on the accommodation cost. Any payments made for extras will be refunded. It is therefore essential that every person in the party takes out a holiday insurance from the moment of booking, which includes cancellation cover and personal liability cover. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance you purchase is adequate and appropriate for your particular needs. 

11. If we change or cancel your booking 

In the unlikely event that we have to cancel or make any changes to your booking arrangements, we will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible. Occasionally, we may have to make changes, correct errors on our website and other details, both before and after bookings have been confirmed. In the event of minor alterations, we will do our best to notify you before you travel. If a significant change or cancellation has to be made to your holiday arrangements, we will notify you as soon as possible. 

You may then: 

1. Accept the changed arrangements; 
2. Take an alternative holiday subject to availability. If the alternative is of a lower price than that originally booked the difference (if already paid by you) will be refunded. If the alternative is more expensive you will have to pay the difference;
3. Cancel your booking entirely, in which case we will refund you all monies paid to us. 

Please note: Significant changes include change of resort; change of accommodation to that of a lower category. Please note in our opinion an accommodation change in certain circumstances does not constitute a significant change. 

12. Travel Insurance 

Popular Villas does not provide travel insurance.  

It is a requirement of booking with Popular Villas that you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy as soon as your booking is confirmed. This insurance should, as a minimum, protect you against cancellation, curtailment, medical expenses, loss/theft of possessions and documents and personal liability.  

It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase for yourself and the members of your group is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. 

Please make sure you read your policy cover terms and take it with you on holiday. 

13. Special requests 

You must advise us at the time of booking of any special requests. 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. 

14. Behaviour 

When you book accommodation through us, you accept responsibility for the proper conduct of all members of your party during your stay. We reserve the right at any time to terminate the stay of any party member(s) whose behaviour is such, in the reasonable opinion of the accommodation provider, a person in authority or us, as to cause or to be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to anyone else or damage to property. Full cancellation charges will then apply, and no refund will be given. Furthermore, we shall be under no obligation whatsoever to pay compensation or meet any costs or expenses (including but not limited to alternative accommodation) you may occur as a result of your stay being terminated. Subject to clause 6, you and/or your party may also be required to pay for loss and/or damage caused by your actions, and we will hold you and each member of your party jointly and individually liable for any damage or losses caused by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such damage or losses must be paid directly to the accommodation owner or other supplier prior to departure from the accommodation. If you fail to make payment, you will be responsible for meeting any claims (including legal costs) subsequently made against us as a result of your actions together with all costs we incur in pursuing any claim against you. We cannot be held responsible for the actions or behaviour of other guests or individuals who have no connection with your booking arrangements or with us. 

15. Local activities, facilities and excursions 

Some facilities, activities and excursions could involve an element of risk. These activities, facilities and excursions are neither run nor controlled by us. If you wish to participate, purchase or make use of any optional activities, the contract for the provision of that activity, facility or excursion will be between you and that provider. Usually these locally paid for activities, facilities and excursions, will be subject to local law and jurisdiction. 

The discretion to partake in any such activities, facilities, or excursions is entirely at your own risk. You are responsible for taking sensible precautions for your own safety and for the safety of any children or family members for whom you are responsible. Please liaise with the supplier of the facility, activity or excursion for the Terms and Conditions of your activity, facility or excursion which will govern your contract. 

16. Force Major 

We cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where we are prevented from fulfilling our contractual obligations as a result of force majeure. Force majeure means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include, but are not limited to, for example, war, riot, industrial dispute, terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, epidemics and pandemics, unavoidable technical problems with transport. No compensation, costs, expenses or any other sums, including the cost of securing alternative accommodation will be paid by us. 

17. Check-in and Check-out

The official time for entry into your accommodation is 16:00 local time. The cleaners have sole access to the accommodation until this time to prepare for your arrival therefore, entry to the accommodation prior to this time will not be permitted. Check out time for all accommodation is 10:00 local time. Unfortunately, it is not possible to arrange for late-check outs. 

18. If you have a complaint 

In the unlikely event you should have a problem during your holiday, you must notify us immediately, either through our 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. 

We will not accept any complaints made after your departure, as it deprives us of the opportunity to investigate and rectify them in a timely manner. Failure to report your complaint locally, will affect your rights under this contract. 

When we act as an agent, our responsibilities are limited to making your booking in accordance with your instructions. We cannot accept any liability for the accommodation itself, for any information concerning the accommodation which we pass on to you in good faith, for the performance of your contract by the accommodation provider, or for the acts or omissions of the accommodation provider, its employees, agents or suppliers or any other person or party in any way connected with the service. 

These Booking Conditions and any agreement to which they apply are governed in all respects by Portuguese law. We both agree that any dispute, claim or other matter which arises between us out of or in connection with your contract or booking, will be dealt with by the Courts of Portugal – Algarve. 

19. System errors 

In rare cases errors may occur when inputting prices into our reservations system(s) or website(s). We regret that any contract entered into on the basis of an inputting/systems error or erroneous price will be void. In the unlikely event that such a situation arises you will be given the option to either pay the correct price or cancel with a full refund. 

20. Use of information you give us 

Please see our Privacy Notice which explains how we will process your personal data. 

21. Updates to this Terms & Conditions 

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

  

Essential Information

The following information will help you find out about all aspects of your Popular Villas holiday. 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 Advisors. 

Passports and visas 

It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid passport and visa (if applicable). The information given here is a guide only for British citizens whose passports were issued within the UK. Clients should check with the passport office if in any doubt. Anyone who is not a British citizen (this includes citizens of British overseas territories, citizens who hold their citizenship by virtue of a connection with Gibraltar, British subjects who have a right of abode and EU and other nationals) should consult the embassy of the country of destination and the Home Office immigration department to check whether they require any special documentation for the countries they are visiting or for return to the UK. Passport reminder: only full ten-year passports with a recommended six-month validity on your return travel date are valid for travel overseas and children now require their own passports. If you need to obtain a new passport, this will normally take three weeks by post. Should you require further information please contact the passport office on 0300 2220000 or visit their website at homeoffice.gov.uk. 

Providing Passport Details 

As a European legal requirement, passport details of all members of your party must be submitted to the Local Authorities in your holiday destination before you travel. This process is equivalent to a hotel check-in service. We will send you an email requesting these details before you travel. Failure to provide us with the passport details prior to departure may result in delays receiving your final travel documentation. Please note, the provision of this information is separate to any requirement you have with your airline to provide Advanced Passenger Information. 

Travellers with disabilities 

Some of the holiday accommodation we feature may be less suitable than others for guests with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users. It is therefore important that when enquiring about a holiday, our Travel Experts are informed 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. 

Accommodation Description and Standards 

We provide self-catering accommodation. It means that the Guest will provide own groceries and household goods, e.g., soaps, shampoo, detergents, etc. 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 with 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 one 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. 

Assistance in Resort 

We will provide you with a mobile number for your Popular Villas 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 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 

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 dish cloths 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. 

Maid service 

Maid service will vary at each individual property and can consist of preparation only with linen and towels on arrival with no further visit, to five days per week with daily towel change and weekly linen change. The time of their visit and hours worked may vary and their duties when visiting mid stay may only include towels being changed, with no cleaning taking place. 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. 

Extra beds, cots, highchairs 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 highchair, 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. 

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 hob, oven, fridge-freezer, basic cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery. Most of our accommodation have 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 removed. 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. 

On the day of departure, guests must remove the garbage from the Property or a penalty of 20 euros will be charged from the security deposit. 

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 maybe a news channel. Subscription channels, including Sky and Free Sat are not available unless stated in the property description. We cannot guarantee the suitability of 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 adaptor when taking any electrical items with you. Your villa electricity supply may not always 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 Popular Villas representative. 

Parties

Parties/events not allowed

Smoking 

a)    Smoking is not permitted inside the Property.  Smoking inside the property will result in a deduction of 100 Euros from the security deposit. 

b)    Cigarette butts must be disposed of properly (i.e., in ashtray provided) and not thrown on property grounds. Failure to do so will result in a deduction of 50 Euros from the security deposit. 

c)   Damage from cigarette burns will be charged at full replacement cost to the Guest. 

Electric cars

It is not allowed the charging of electric vehicles in our properties.

Internet, 3G WiFi 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 is available when stated in the relevant accommodation description. 

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. 

Popular Villas 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 

Mosquitos, 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. Mosquitos can be kept at bay by a good repellent, which can be purchased in 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 accommodation. 

Building work 

Many resorts are still developing and therefore there is a possibility of building work, road works, 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. When searching for a property on our website please take a closer look to the last line on the description. If there is a note advising the property may have some noise due to building work, it means building work is going on in front, on the side, at the back or close to the property. 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 or the applicable terms. 

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

If you are in resort and building work starts in the vicinity of your property, it is completely out of our control. 

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 itself 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. 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. 

Driving 

In Portugal you drive on the right-hand side and overtake on the left. Please make sure you bring your driver's licence with you if you are planning on driving whilst on holiday. 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 Popular Villas. 

Travellers with Disabilities 

Some of the holiday accommodation we feature may be less suitable than others for guests with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users. It is therefore important that when enquiring 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 

Popular Villas 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, unfenced 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 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 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 Stay Safe on Holiday 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 behaviour. 

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, water marks appearing on ceilings or walls or dampness. 

Missed Flights 

Popular Villas 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 you should have a problem during your holiday, you must notify us immediately, either through your Popular Villas 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 

We make every effort to ensure that the information and photography contained on our website is accurate. However, many individuals are responsible for the provision of your holiday arrangements, and they may alter or temporarily withdraw some of the advertised facilities or services without prior notice to us. Gardens will naturally grow, furnishings may be replaced, and décor updated, and it is not always possible to display the most up to date photographs. Unfortunately, errors can occur, and prices may alter, however we will always endeavour to advise you of any changes at the earliest opportunity. The distances to amenities and pool measurements we have provided are approximate whilst floor plans are displayed as a guide and are not to scale. The temperature scale provided is a guide only and weather patterns can change at different times of the year. 

Stay Safe on Holiday

Your safety and wellbeing are very important to us. That’s why we do our best to make sure your stay at each and every Popular Villas property is safe and trouble free. Please do be aware though that our villas need to meet the local standards and regulations of the country they are in. These might not always be the same as we expect in your home country, so we ask that you do take extra care while you’re on holiday. 

Before you go away, we’ll send you your travel documents. Packed with useful information unique to each property, they’ll have the ‘need-to-knows’ about your villa, directions and in-resort contacts. They also include handy advice and guidance for staying safe while you’re on holiday, as well as local emergency services’ contact information. 

Balcony Safety 

You can’t beat a hillside villa with panoramic views! That does mean however that low walls and balustrades, together with ladder-effect railing are a popular design feature, so as not to take away from the beautiful scenery. Please do then make sure that all of your party are made aware of any low walls/balconies as soon as you arrive, and that children are supervised and stopped from climbing railings and furniture. This goes without saying we know, but please don’t lean or sit on the balcony edges. 

Important Villa Information 

Please take the time on arrival to familiarize yourself with the safety features and layout of the holiday accommodation. In particular if you are travelling with children, please take the time to point out to them any areas in which they should take particular care with, such as the pool or the balconies. If you should have any questions or concerns in this regard, your Popular Villas Representative will be happy to assist. If you have any concerns, please call her/him on the number found in your travel documents and villa manual. 

Villa and Safety 

We do not claim that any villa is totally child-friendly or safe, therefore, care should always be taken by the parents and family, especially around the pool area where children should be supervised at all times. Some villas are better suited than others for the less mobile or for families with young children, so we advise you to enquire about the suitability of the property before you book. Despite our efforts and advice given, it is ultimately your responsibility for the care and safety of the members of your group. 

Many terrace walls are 90cms to 1 metre high, whilst others may be less. There may also be roof terraces with low walls, where, in most cases, we ensure these are gated or blocked off. However, depending on the layout and design of the property this may not always be possible. 

Many single-story villas have several steps inside them, and gardens may have some drops or slopes. Several villas feature staircases that can be steep and occasionally have low head heights. 

The ground surface inside and outside of your holiday accommodation may be wet due to the maid cleaning them on arrival, departure and any other day, when the maid service is carried out. Be aware of the ground condition at all times and take the necessary steps to ensure your safety and 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. We recommend the use of rubber-based shoes around the pool. 

In the event of a fire, you should immediately vacate the holiday accommodation ensuring all members of your party have been evacuated and are safe. After accounting for the members of your party, call the emergency services and your Popular Villas Representative. 

If you have any concerns about the safety of your accommodation, please contact your Popular Villas Representative immediately. Any genuine problems brought to our attention will be dealt with as quickly as is locally possible, if feasible. 

Should you have an accident anywhere, in or around the villa, you must report this straight away to your Popular Villas Representative. 

Swimming Pools 

The pool sizes in our descriptions are approximate and for guidance only. Some pools are irregular shaped and have been measured at the longest and widest points. Pools are maintained and cleaned on a regular basis. A pool net is provided, and it is normal custom for clients to remove any debris such as leaves and twigs. 

Occasionally, due to extensive use of the pool, water in the ears can cause an ear infection, especially with children. This does not necessarily mean the pool does not have the correct level of chlorine, but it should immediately be checked out. A simple precautionary measure is to use earplugs or to dry your ears well after you leave the pool to ensure you remove any trapped water that may become infected. 

If you have any concerns about your pool, contact your Popular Villas Representative immediately. 

Some pools now have salt-water filtration systems as opposed to chlorine treatments. 

Please ensure that the holiday accommodation you choose to book is suitable for your requirements regarding children and non-swimmers. 

For security reasons, some owners do not have the pool lights connected. 

The swimming pool is an essential part of holidaying for many people, but keep in mind that, misused, it can be dangerous. However, by applying just a few simple common-sense rules, you can be sure to safely enjoy your time in the pool: 

• Please observe our strict no diving policy in all swimming pools. 
• Do not run around the pool side, this especially applies to children with wet feet. Some areas may be slippery when wet. 
• Do not go out of your depth and know your own limits. 
• Do not swim if you cannot see the bottom of the pool. If this is the case, contact your Popular Villas Representative as soon as possible. Heavy weather or thunderstorms can cause pools to turn cloudy. Cloudiness can also be caused by excess suntan oil, especially when non waterproof types are used. Please remember that use of the poolside shower before swimming, can help to keep the pool clean. 
  
• Children and fair skinned people should wear a hat and t-shirt whilst in the pool, as harmful ultraviolet rays can penetrate water up to a depth of 1.5m and are reflected off the water surface. 
• Beware of dangerous surfaces, drainage channels slippery tiles or raised edges. 
• Always supervise children and non-swimmers in and around the pool area. 
• Avoid swimming if you have been drinking alcohol, especially late at night. Do not swim within 1 hour of eating - it can be fatal. 

Swimming Pool Accident or Closure 

In the event of an accident in or around the immediate area of the pool, you must report this straight away to your Popular Villas Representative. Any fault with the pool or its equipment will be inspected, and immediate action taken to correct the problem. If, in the opinion of the Representative, the pool must be closed for your safety until a repair is facilitated, you will be instructed in writing to cease using the pool. 

Swimming pool safety fences (permanent) 

Some of our accommodation feature a swimming pool fence (where stated in its description). 
A pool fence is not a substitute for parental supervision and parents should supervise children around the pool area at all times. Please bear in mind that it may be possible for an unsupervised child to lift the fences out of the ground supports, to push or pull a pool fence over, or to pull any gaps apart. The pool fences are designed, manufactured and installed with the sole intention to stop toddlers from wandering into an unprotected pool area. Please always ensure the locking mechanism on the pool gate is working and never leave the gate open. 

Swimming Pool Water Colour Effect 

Chlorine is a natural bleaching agent. The more the pool is used and the warmer the weather, the more chemicals are required to keep swimming pool water safe to use. This can react with certain fabrics and dyes used on them, causing them to lighten or discolour. Many items of swimwear carry warnings to this effect, and Popular Villas does not accept any responsibility for any damage caused to client's property, whilst complying with our contractual obligations to ensure your swimming pool remains safe to use. 

We would advise that certain colours of blonde hair may also develop a green tinge. This reaction is natural and does not mean the chemical balance of water is incorrect. Please ensure you rinse your hair thoroughly in fresh water after using the pool. Shampoos which can resolve this problem are available in most supermarkets or chemists abroad. 

Glass Windows and Doors 

Please be very careful with windows, especially full-length glass patio doors. The glass may not be toughened and occasionally, in a strange environment, accidents occur more easily than they can do so at home. 

Local Beaches 

Please be aware of the local safety precautions when you visit the beaches. At all times for your own safety comply with the suggestions of local lifeguards, warning notices or flag codes. Should you have any concerns consult a qualified authority or your Popular Villas Representative. 

Linen 

Linen is supplied. Should any person in your party have allergies to washing substances, please make sure you bring your own linen. 

Gas Supply 

We insist that all our villas with gas installations are regularly inspected by a qualified gas safety engineer and a worthiness certificate is issued. 

Eye Protection 

In holiday destinations it is important to protect your eyes against damage from the sun. We recommend that prior to travelling you contact an 'eye professional' for advice on how to minimise your risk. 

Medical Conditions 

If you or any member of your party has a medical condition, we suggest you contact your travel insurance company at the time of booking, to report any pre-existing condition. Thus, you can ensure you are covered for all eventualities. 

Villa Security 

We take the safety of our customers very seriously. Unfortunately, crimes against people and property are a fact of life throughout the world and you have the same responsibility for your personal safety as you do at home. We therefore advise all customers to be extra vigilant and ensure that great care is taken of your property and personal possessions. You must ensure all the windows, shutters and doors are locked at night. Where available, set the security device if you are out for the day and at night-time or when you are in bed. You should also take care to lock doors and windows if you are relaxing by the pool. 

Children's Safety 

Popular Villas 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, unfenced 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. 

Road Safety 

The rules of the road may differ from country to country, so we ask you to take extra care and ensure you comply with the local regulations at all times. 

Intellectual Property Rights

The content of the site is for your information and personal use only, no part of the site and no content or marks may be copied, uploaded, reproduced, republished, sold, publicly displayed, distributed or exploited for any commercial purpose, without our express prior written permission.

Unless otherwise indicated, the site is our property and photographs, text, software, all together the content is owned or controlled by us or licensed to us and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.