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The Old Village
The Old Village was created some 20 years ago as a complete community, although it is only 15 minutes walk to the Vilamoura marina. The architecture of the ‘village’ is reproduction 18th century Portuguese where the walkways are alternately classic and rural facades. The well tended gardens are always very colourful. The complex is free from traffic, and the walkways are a local version of cobbled streets. The Old Village is surrounded by the beautiful Pinhal golf course
There are three swimming pools. The main pool is family friendly with a very shallow area at one end. There are sunloungers at the pool and the centrepiece is the poolside bar. The main pool is about 100 m. from the studio. Access to the pool is by pool cards a deposit for which is charged by the agents, Alternativas. The second pool is not suitable for young children, due to the depth of water. This pool is smaller and has a more restricted area for sunloungers. The Dolphin pool - the newest - is ideal for adults and children who are alittle older. There is a children’s play area just over 100m from the studio.
The Condominium of the Old Village make a charge of 1.5 euros per sun-lounger per half day. The studio has two comfortable reclining seats on the terrace for the afternoon sun.
Some 50m. from the studio are the shops. The supermarket provides a comprehensive service, best of which is the wonderful bread and rolls which arrive early each morning. Although a little restricted in terms of space, it offers a wide range of goods. There is also a wine and spirits shop, along with two cafes where excellent snack meals are available. There is another café, with computer facilities,(the Nautic bar) some 150m. from the studio. There are two restaurants in the development. The Princess Garden restaurant is a splendid backdrop to the smaller of the two swimming pools. The Casa do Lago is on Church Square.
Although the Old Village is not a large complex, there are few examples of such a wide range of services being provided so conveniently.
In June 2010, the roof terrace has been completely re-done and the bases of the four beds replaced
There are three swimming pools. The main pool is family friendly with a very shallow area at one end. There are sunloungers at the pool and the centrepiece is the poolside bar. The main pool is about 100 m. from the studio. Access to the pool is by pool cards a deposit for which is charged by the agents, Alternativas. The second pool is not suitable for young children, due to the depth of water. This pool is smaller and has a more restricted area for sunloungers. The Dolphin pool - the newest - is ideal for adults and children who are alittle older. There is a children’s play area just over 100m from the studio.
The Condominium of the Old Village make a charge of 1.5 euros per sun-lounger per half day. The studio has two comfortable reclining seats on the terrace for the afternoon sun.
Some 50m. from the studio are the shops. The supermarket provides a comprehensive service, best of which is the wonderful bread and rolls which arrive early each morning. Although a little restricted in terms of space, it offers a wide range of goods. There is also a wine and spirits shop, along with two cafes where excellent snack meals are available. There is another café, with computer facilities,(the Nautic bar) some 150m. from the studio. There are two restaurants in the development. The Princess Garden restaurant is a splendid backdrop to the smaller of the two swimming pools. The Casa do Lago is on Church Square.
Although the Old Village is not a large complex, there are few examples of such a wide range of services being provided so conveniently.
In June 2010, the roof terrace has been completely re-done and the bases of the four beds replaced
Vilamoura area,and the surrounding attractions
The Old Village is an integral part of Vilamoura – a resort which has been created to the highest standards- the golf courses - the marina – the shops – the restaurants – the casino – the hotels – the cinema – the sports facilities. All are excellent.
Closeby the Old Village are the fairways of the Pinhal golf course, the nearest of the five Vilamoura courses. Each of the courses has a driving range, and there is also a Golf Academy for honing all aspects of the game while the sun shines on your back.
A little further on is Vilamoura tennis, which you see as you stroll down to the shops at the marina. The tennis club has many fine courts with full facilities. At the heart of the facility is the restaurant. Also, less than one Km. away are two bowling greens.
In Vilamoura restaurants and bars abound, but the greatest concentration is to be found round the marina, filled with the most stylish of yachts. The marina is about 15 minutes walk away, and the beach is another 10-15 minutes. On the way down, you pass the roman archeological remains. The Falaisia beach stretches from the marina entrance away to the west with Albufeira in the distance. The beach is unspoiled with no vehicular access being allowed. A river separates the car park from the beach.
A car is not essential since distances are short and taxi fares modest. If a car was required for the holiday, it might be worth contacting Zitauto (email – zitauto@clix.pt). Alternatively local agents in the Old Village – Alternativas – can organise shorter hires.
It can be good fun to use the ‘Vilamoura trains’, which actually run on the road. The different road circuits, and the time-tables are available at all local agents.
Next door to Vilamoura, is the seaside town of Quarteira. It too has a convenient beach, and being close to shops and cafes, has a different atmosphere. The weekly market takes place on Wednesday. There is also a fruit market and a fish market open every day. The town is filled with all the shops and business you would expect, but there are a number of very special restaurants and cafes.
There are a number of water parks in the Vilamoura/Albufeira area. Many have dedicated bus services available. The nearest is about 1.5Km away, just past the Vila Sol golf course. The Zoomarine also has a bus service and is beyond Albufeira. They boast a birds of prey show, a sea Lion show, lakes and gardens, an aquarium, swimming pools, dolphins, as well as the park amusements – giant wheel – pirate ship – flume ride – mini roller-coaster, etc.
We are in between the two large shopping centres. There is one at Faro, but we prefer Algarve Shopping on the main road, just beyond Albufeira. There is a huge selection of shops – Zara is always good value – but there are too many fashion and shoe shops to mention. They have an immense supermarket, a food court and a range of restaurants, along with an 8 screen multiplex cinema. They offer a free shuttle bus service.
Whether you are looking for peace and quiet, or for an active holiday, such as horse riding, you will find a comprehensive choice of activities in Vilamoura, or if you want to scratch the surface of Portugal and the Portuguese, you will want to explore the market town of Loule, less than 10Km. inland.
If you do visit Vilamoura, we hope you will, like us, find that it is a most agreeable area, and that the people are friendly and very pleasant.
Closeby the Old Village are the fairways of the Pinhal golf course, the nearest of the five Vilamoura courses. Each of the courses has a driving range, and there is also a Golf Academy for honing all aspects of the game while the sun shines on your back.
A little further on is Vilamoura tennis, which you see as you stroll down to the shops at the marina. The tennis club has many fine courts with full facilities. At the heart of the facility is the restaurant. Also, less than one Km. away are two bowling greens.
In Vilamoura restaurants and bars abound, but the greatest concentration is to be found round the marina, filled with the most stylish of yachts. The marina is about 15 minutes walk away, and the beach is another 10-15 minutes. On the way down, you pass the roman archeological remains. The Falaisia beach stretches from the marina entrance away to the west with Albufeira in the distance. The beach is unspoiled with no vehicular access being allowed. A river separates the car park from the beach.
A car is not essential since distances are short and taxi fares modest. If a car was required for the holiday, it might be worth contacting Zitauto (email – zitauto@clix.pt). Alternatively local agents in the Old Village – Alternativas – can organise shorter hires.
It can be good fun to use the ‘Vilamoura trains’, which actually run on the road. The different road circuits, and the time-tables are available at all local agents.
Next door to Vilamoura, is the seaside town of Quarteira. It too has a convenient beach, and being close to shops and cafes, has a different atmosphere. The weekly market takes place on Wednesday. There is also a fruit market and a fish market open every day. The town is filled with all the shops and business you would expect, but there are a number of very special restaurants and cafes.
There are a number of water parks in the Vilamoura/Albufeira area. Many have dedicated bus services available. The nearest is about 1.5Km away, just past the Vila Sol golf course. The Zoomarine also has a bus service and is beyond Albufeira. They boast a birds of prey show, a sea Lion show, lakes and gardens, an aquarium, swimming pools, dolphins, as well as the park amusements – giant wheel – pirate ship – flume ride – mini roller-coaster, etc.
We are in between the two large shopping centres. There is one at Faro, but we prefer Algarve Shopping on the main road, just beyond Albufeira. There is a huge selection of shops – Zara is always good value – but there are too many fashion and shoe shops to mention. They have an immense supermarket, a food court and a range of restaurants, along with an 8 screen multiplex cinema. They offer a free shuttle bus service.
Whether you are looking for peace and quiet, or for an active holiday, such as horse riding, you will find a comprehensive choice of activities in Vilamoura, or if you want to scratch the surface of Portugal and the Portuguese, you will want to explore the market town of Loule, less than 10Km. inland.
If you do visit Vilamoura, we hope you will, like us, find that it is a most agreeable area, and that the people are friendly and very pleasant.
Golf in the Algarve
The Algarve is famous for golf for three reasons – the climate – the number of golf courses – and the quality of these courses.
It started in Vilamoura with the course now called ‘The Old Course’, but there is golf all along the Algarve now. The most recent growth area is the eastern end of the Algarve now boasting 4-5 quality courses. In addition, there two or three good courses across the border in Spain, no more than an hour’s drive from the Old Village.
Vilamoura has recently unveiled its fifth and most expensive course – the Victoria, designed by Arnold Palmer – where golf’s World Cup is to be played late in 2005. The next, in order of price, is the classic Old Course, with its fairways totally bordered with a special pine tree, through which no golf ball travels. It is an exquisite layout. The next is the Millennium course, five holes of which is classic Algarve golf. The rest, although good, are a little open. The next is Pinhal, again with an abundance of pine trees, and water hazards on three holes. Finally, with water on eight holes, we have the aptly named Laguna course.
Local agents can arrange discounts on many of these and other courses, but if you were interested primarily in Vilamoura, you can arrange directly, a variety of golf packages at very good prices with Lusitur, the Company owning the Golf Courses.
Each of the courses has a driving range. There is, in addition, an independent Golf Academy, with a driving range. The putting and short game practice facilities are very good. They also offer golf on their three hole circuit.
It started in Vilamoura with the course now called ‘The Old Course’, but there is golf all along the Algarve now. The most recent growth area is the eastern end of the Algarve now boasting 4-5 quality courses. In addition, there two or three good courses across the border in Spain, no more than an hour’s drive from the Old Village.
Vilamoura has recently unveiled its fifth and most expensive course – the Victoria, designed by Arnold Palmer – where golf’s World Cup is to be played late in 2005. The next, in order of price, is the classic Old Course, with its fairways totally bordered with a special pine tree, through which no golf ball travels. It is an exquisite layout. The next is the Millennium course, five holes of which is classic Algarve golf. The rest, although good, are a little open. The next is Pinhal, again with an abundance of pine trees, and water hazards on three holes. Finally, with water on eight holes, we have the aptly named Laguna course.
Local agents can arrange discounts on many of these and other courses, but if you were interested primarily in Vilamoura, you can arrange directly, a variety of golf packages at very good prices with Lusitur, the Company owning the Golf Courses.
Each of the courses has a driving range. There is, in addition, an independent Golf Academy, with a driving range. The putting and short game practice facilities are very good. They also offer golf on their three hole circuit.
Additional information
Golf courses5 min
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This property has been reviewed 9 times.
The average rating is
8.300000000000001
By: Laura
Rating: 8
Date: 31/10/2009
Having stayed in the owners larger property we knew what to expect - a well equipped apartment in a beautiful location. The apartment is dated but that did not detract from the fact that it more than met our expectations. We travelled with a 6year old and the sofa in the lounge folded out to a full double bed. Kitchen was well equipped and we had towels changed 3 times during our stay. The complex of the old village is beautiful and excellently located a short walk from the Marina.
By: member
Rating: 0
Date: 11/05/2009
This property was next to a house being completely refurbished so we were moved to another one with previous owners consent. Original apartment was okay but in brochure it said sun in the afternoon outside on patio -no sun. I am now giving my review of the property that we were transferred to 2b Village Gate.
It needs updating and refurbishing but kitchen and bathroom very good. We had to tell Multialternatives that three windows in property needed fixing, which they were going to put right.
Roof Terrace needed cleaning up and barbecue was old and delapidated.
By: Moira
Rating: 7
Date: 25/10/2008
Property was in good order, clean, and most convenient for access to swimming pools and restaurants. If I had any complaint it would be that I think we were forgotten for the first seven days having had no clean hand or bath towels for that length of time. Once I asked at reception we then had our towels replaced every 3 - 4 days for the remainder of our stay.
By: Adam
Rating: 10
Date: 11/10/2008
Everything perfect as usual. I cannot recommend this apartment enough if you want a good value,clean place to stay, in an excellent location
By: Susan
Rating: 9
Date: 19/07/2008
Peaceful location with a nice patio to sit on and relax. Apartment was a good size and the bathroom had both bath and shower so suited us fine. Fully equipped kitchen and the cable TV meant you wanted for nothing. The only hard part was no air condition unit as it was very hot and the fan helped a bit but we were still stifled. It didnt spoil the holiday though. We really enjoyed our stay.
By: Stephen
Rating: 10
Date: 05/06/2007
A very nice appartment on a beautiful, well cared for complex. Highly recommended.
By: Liz
Rating: 9
Date: 15/05/2007
The studio was in a great location and very handy for the supermarket, pubs and restaurants. we enjoyed our stay in the Old Village and would definately return. Everything apart from an iron was provided in the apartment and although we were only there for 5 days maids came in to change towels and made beds up on the third day.
The location of the Old Village is excellent it is a pleasant 10 minute walk to the Marina. The beaches were stunning. We will definately reccomend to friends and family and no doubt return very soon.
By: david
Rating: 7
Date: 24/09/2006
Very good studio app.Everything you could possibly need for an enjoyable holiday.Will certainly be going back to the Old Village next year
By: carolyn
Rating: 6
Date: 17/06/2006
A very nice apartment adequately equipped. The only negative aspect was the appearance of the entrance steps and the view from the front door. A shame as the overgrown garden could be an attractive area.
I will definitely be booking the apartment again because of its proximity to my aunts next door! But I would be hesitant to recommend it to a friend at the moment purely because of the entrance area.
Many thanks for an enjoyable stay!
By: Suzi
Rating: 9
Date: 01/07/2005
The Studio was well equipped, and in the centre of the Old Village- near to all the great facilities of this resort. The Old Village itself is a great complex, well designed in a Georgian theme, all the apartments are very attractive. The main swimming pool is great for families, as the pool shelves out very gently, and kids can be kept in sight very easily. The restaurants at the Old Village vary, but all served good food and are child friendly. Likewise, a trip to the many good restaurants around the harbour is a must. We had a great holiday here, and the only fault I can come up with are the few steps that I had to lift the pushchair up and down!! That can't be bad.