Self-Catering Spain and Portugal

Specialist Reports Holiday by Accommodation Self-Catering Self-Catering Spain and Portugal Villas a la Carte 

	Villas a la Carte
6 Port House, Plantation Wharf, London SW11 3TY			MAP
tel: 020 7801 9804

Started in 1987, from the company, which also offers Caribbean a la Carte. The programme also offers ‘hotels of distinction'. The staff know the 150 properties personally so can offer advice. There is no brochure but individual property sheets sent out to cater to client's specific requirements, these also providing information on the surrounding area and facilities.

Where

The Algarve in Portugal; in Spain the Costa del Sol and the Balearic islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca.

Style

Apartment, cottages, renovated farmhouses and villas, those on the Balearic islands tending to be older, traditional buildings, on mainland Spain and Portugal tending more to white-washed modern international in style, generally in or near popular family resorts, most with pool or are close to the sea. Sizes range from sleeping two to 14.

Season

Rental is possible year-round at around a third of properties where there is suitable heating, payable extra to a local agent or the maid.

Facilities

‘Children are warmly welcome' and cots are available at around half the properties though visitors need to bring own plastic sheets and cot linen and because standards are not always British ones, even better, bring their own travel cot. At the same time the company warns that there are generally uneven steps, open staircases, balconies, terraces etc which would require children to be supervised at all times.

Extras

Maid service varies from property to property but is generally either once or twice a week. Extra maid service is not generally offered and clients have to leave the property clean. Cooking services may be available up to one meal a day however, the maid/cooks generally do not speak English. Food hampers are available at an extra charge at around a quarter of the properties.

Sample Price

A villa sleeping four in two bedrooms with a pool for a week in high season would be around £850 accommodation only. Scheduled flights can be arranged through the parent company Billington Travel.