Property Rental in the Eastern Algarve

eastoffaro.com holidays in the Eastern Algarve, Portugal

FAQs

FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions...

If your question is not answered in the page below, please feel free to contact us and ask us directly.

...about bookings and enquiries

...about our houses

...about money

...about eating out

...about bookings and enquiries

Q. Do I have to pay a 'booking fee' to eastoffaro.com for any services I book through the site ?

A. NO. You only pay the quoted price for the service provided.

Q. How do I pay for an accommodation booking ?

A. When you have made a booking, we will send you payment instructions by email.

Q. Do I have to pay in euros or can I pay in £'s sterling ?

A. You can pay in either. Full details are provided in the payment instructions sent you on booking.

Q. How do I pay for a hire car booking ?

A. You pay for you hire car when you collect it, direct to the representative of the hire car company. You can pay in euros cash or all major credit cards.

Q. How soon can I expect a reply to my enquiry ?

A. You can normally expect a reply within 24 hours.

...about our houses

Q. Are bed sheets and towels provided ?

A. In all of our houses, all bed linen and towels for use in the house are provided and changed each week. Towels for use at the pool and on the beach are NOT provided.

Q. What about cleaning ?

A. All of our houses will be clean on arrival and are cleaned at the end of each week.

Q. What about catering ?

A. All of our houses are offered as self-catering accommodation and are appropriately equipped.

Q. Is any local information provided ?

A. All of our houses have a file of local information which includes: things you need to know about the house, where best to shop, where best to eat, where the beaches are and what they are like, medical and emergency information and, of course, some basic Portuguese to practice !

Q. Who can help us if we have any questions or problems during our holiday ?

A. There is always an English-speaking person available on mobile and not far away to answer any questions or help sort out any problems should you have any. We're there if you need us, otherwise we leave you to your own devises. You will also find the Portuguese friendly and helpful, especially if you are in a tight spot.

...about money

Q. What currency should I bring to Portugal ?

A. Euros

Q. Can I use my UK cash card to take money out of autobanks in Portugal ?

A. Yes. When you insert your card, you can choose to follow instructions in English.

Q. How much cash can I withdraw with my cash card at one go ?

A. There is usually a 150 euro limit to each transaction, but depending on your card, you may be able to conduct several transaction in one day - one after another - up to the daily withdrawal limit on your card.

Q. Are major credit cards accepted everywhere ?

A. No. Much of the economy is still cash based, though Portugal has been using debit cards with pin numbers for years. Credit cards are accepted in some restaurants and shops, so are worth while bringing. You can pay for your hire car by credit card.

Q. Are traveller's cheques good to bring ?

A. We wouldn't bother, it means queuing up at a bank. Use the autobank - multibanco - instead.

...about eating out

Q. Can we pay for meals by credit card ?

A. In some restaurants, yes. In many, no.

Q. Should we tip in restaurants ?

A. If the food and service is good, YES ! - the staff don't earn a fortune. If the food and service is bad, NO! The Portuguese are mean tippers in their own restaurants, between 0 - 5 %. The British are therefore thought generous, tipping at about 10 %. The UK scam of 'service charge' being automatically included on bills does not happen in the Eastern Algarve.

Q. Are the snacks served at the start of a meal free ?

A. No. They are served automatically, but they are priced on the menu and charged on the bill if you eat them. If you don't eat them (it hasn't happened yet) they are not charged.

Q. Are restaurant menus in English as well as Portuguese?

A. Yes, in most restaurants.