We have just returned from a glorious long weekend in Carvoeiro.

This baord was a tremendous help in us sourcing accomodation and car hire.

We used ww.algarvevillaowners.com and have to say their service was impeccable. Kirsty was very helpful in suggesting the right accom for our requirements. Peace and seclusion brought us to Casa Petra and within walking distance of Chicken George!!! We would recommend them to anyone.

Car hire. We have previously used Sixt who were fine but expensive. Through this voard we used Economy Car Hire(Travelrent) The service was good, car had four wheels and brakes!! And was very reasonably priced.

We also had a lovely lunch at O Litora on the hill above Benagil and would recommend it for great food.

Now have to start planning for New Year trip!!!

Thanks to everyone on this board for their help.

Very pleased that you found this forum helpful. I hope that you'll become a regular contributor from now on.

Algarve Villa Owners certainly have the best national advertising coverage of the companies on the forum, advertising as they do in the Mail on Sunday.

When friends of ours were starting up they met the owner of this rental and management company, and were very impressed by her.

The reasons, as owners, why they didnt sign up with them is that they are hugely prescriptive about you should and should not do....which is fine for the rental clients, and for them, but also wanted to set their price structure significantly lower than what they were currently successfully renting for.

As owners it does pay to have a good look at companies like this.

Last year we had one touting for business, they wanted a £750 registration fee, set their own rentals charges and then NOT pay the owners until 6 weeks after the guests had left.

Needless to say our response was short and sweet.

I know Algarve Villa Owners don't charge a registration fee (in fact I think that's awful that any company in this climate would do that!) also they pay in the same month that the clients' travel.

However a discussion on rental agents might be better off on the owners board.

cjerts, which villa were you at? I stayed at casa jorge pedro, very near to chicken george etc

We stayed at Casa Petra, nice and secluded but within walking distance of Benagil or even Carvoeiro!