Vale de Milho Village

The staff were incredibly kind, helpful and cheerful, and we can’t thank them enough for the laughter and a truly magnificent stay at the Vale. Even though we were needy, annoying guests, they didn’t miss a step. We got to check in hours early after our early flight, then check out five hours late because of our late flight home, with no extra charge. Bed toppers arrived almost immediately when we asked, and they even got us coffee on departure day. I’d give the service ten stars if I could.

This place feels like a little slice of paradise, and we enjoyed it so much that we’re already planning another stay with more people. It’s quiet, peaceful and cute, and it feels like somewhere you should share. We were upgraded from a two-bedroom booking to a three-bedroom townhouse, which was already more space than we needed. It felt palatial, and one room became our dressing room. There’s a massive kitchen, a good-sized dining and living area that flow together, and a lanai where ten people could comfortably gather without feeling crowded. The pool was just lovely, and the two upstairs bedrooms have balconies overlooking it. Huge thanks to Andre at check-in and to the cleaning team, who kept everything spotless. You made our holiday amazing. If you want to explore, hiring a car is a good idea, though Uber is easy to get and not expensive. Work out where you want to go, compare the Uber costs with a rental, and factor in petrol and parking, which can be a pain in towns but not at the resort. There are shops nearby, so do a big shop on your first day and you won’t need another shopping trip. Carvoeiro is about €4-€5 by Uber and has loads of shops and restaurants. Try Levels for breakfast and Tapas de Milho for dinner, both are stunning. Albufeira isn’t cute, though there are nice sea trips leaving from the Marina.

We stayed in number 24, a spotless three-bedroom villa with lovely outdoor space. The pool table was an unexpected bonus. We’d first booked a two-bedroom place, then contacted reception in the weeks before arrival and easily upgraded. The villa was cleaned regularly while we were there, and the pool was perfect for relaxing in the daytime before going out to Albufeira in the evenings. The reception team welcomed us warmly and shared useful local information. The place always felt safe and secure, and parking outside the villa was easy. Vale de Milho was perfect for us, and I highly recommend it.

Hugo welcomed us when we arrived and was really friendly, with useful advice about the area. We had a great week in this modern villa, set somewhere quiet and peaceful. It’s about a 25-minute walk into town, or an Uber costs 3-4 euros. We’ll definitely come back!