Reviews of Monte Sao Pedro Holiday Village, Praia Da Luz

I went out the first week in October to stay with my son and his family who had been there a week. We stayed in Villa 1, which I found to be rather inhibiting for a family of six. The beds smelled of damp and where the villa was situated was very noisy due the main road being so close. It was a nightmare walking to the beach especially with a buggy, but once you were there it was wonderful. I did a lot of cooking whilst there and felt compounded to wash everything before using. I bought bleach etc from the local supermarket as the cleaning left little to the imagination.



The main pool I found was dirty with cracked tiles around the side of the pool, the toddler’s pools was always full of leaves or dead petals. The supermarket on site had a freezer but no fridge, so buying milk or juice was a problem unless you like longlife milk. Also, I have never met such a miserable woman serving behind the till.



One of the main attractions advertised is the Slide & Splash situated near Lagos, this is highly recommended.

The last week of September and the first week of October was when my husband and I and our adult son made villa number 51 our home for a very enjoyable holiday.



We booked a two bed roomed villa but were very happy to be given a three bed roomed, two bath roomed villa at no extra charge.



Monte Sao Pedro village was very very quiet being low season, but that suited us. It did seem a bit odd though to be the only people enjoying the main pool.



We wouldn't have wanted our own pool with the villa as the space was quite compromised as far as we could see, and accidents could easily happen with children or merry adults! We had plenty of room both inside and in the garden and found it easy to relax.



On arrival I did feel it necessary to take the brush and mop over the floors, and only felt really happy once I'd wiped down all the surfaces. It wasn't dirty but I felt it could have been serviced better. We are true self-caterers and like to cook "proper" meals with real ingredients.... so the very basic equipment forced us to dig out our boy scout and girl guide tricks to be able to manage the meals that we turned out!



For example there was no colander or sieve making draining our pasta or potatoes rather tricky and somewhat dangerous. No cheese grater but two cork screws gives you an idea!



The cooker and fridge freezer were big although only one oven tray limited what could be done in the cooker. It popped the trip switch one day and left us rather frustrated to wait in from 2.15 until 7pm when the maintenance man came to fix it. We managed to boil water in the microwave for cups of tea while we waited!



It was self-catering and so we were fully prepared to supply our own toilet paper once the initial complimentary one was used.



Two tea towels were provided but no cleaning cloths or fluids. Towels and sheets were changed twice while we were there and the welcome pack said we could ask for more at any time.



The impression we got was that it was once a very fine complex but is now a little "tired.” Several villas are privately owned we think and so the place gets a few more residents at weekends.



The gardens and beautiful flowers and shrubs really brightened the complex.



We had little dealings with staff but when we did they were very helpful and pleasant. The reception has restricted opening times and that could perhaps be problematical.



We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, the main pool was excellent, the clubroom looked ok, and the games room gave us a laugh or two on the pool table, we didn't use the restaurant or the bar so can't comment.



We always hire a car beforehand to pick up at the airport. Avis etc are always very reliable and competitive. We didn't see anything cheaper locally. The airport to Monte Sao Pedro takes an hour on the (free) motorway. We heard horror stories of 2 1/2 hour transfers on the tour operators coach involving several drop-offs!



The western Algarve is very accessible by car and very beautiful.



If you don't drive.... the road to Praia da Luz is a nightmare to walk due to drain gullies no footpaths and fast vehicles. However, the receptionist / manageress takes the mini bus down 3 times a day, free of charge, so access to the beach, town and the amazing Baptista supermarket is easy.



Praia da Luz is beautiful and the beach is good for all ages and physical abilities.



We would seriously consider going again (given a good price), but would hope not to be given a villa on the road side as it could be a bit noisy I think. Number 51 was ideally situated for us at the back of the complex facing the hill.

Very nice. The accomoation was very big. Had our own private pool.



The area was clean and tidy.



Staff there are very friendly.



Will definitely return.

We were so disappointed with the quality of accommodation at this complex. I felt I just had to add my comments for the benefit of anyone contemplating booking a holiday in a villa here.



We were in Villa No. 1 which was adjacent to the sewage pumping station, just yards from a very fast main road. It was dreadful.



The villa was damp and smelled of mould and the pillows had mildew on them. Without going into the other un -pleasantries, if you have not already paid your money, don't do it!



I never complain and provided the accommodation is clean and tidy, that suits me, but this was not acceptable.



The so called supermarket was only open from 9.00 - 1.00 and Praia da Luz was at least a mile and a half's walk along the most dangerous stretch of road you could imagine.



There is nothing else there except one restaurant further along the road and therefore, a car is an absolute must. The main swimming pool area was not clean and the area where you would shower prior to entering the pool was full of bird's droppings, which had clearly been there for a long time.



To avoid disappointment, I would not recommend this complex to anyone, particularly those who may be considering paying a lot of money for a private villa with a pool - it is not what you think it is going to be and you will be disappointed, indeed devastated when you see what you have got.



We had to pay another 500 Euros to get out and go to another hotel and it was the best thing we did.

Just a note to agree with Mr Farrell, we were also in this complex, at the end of April 2007 and we really enjoy the place.



The villa was lovely, staff very nice, restaurant - good food.



The only thing was the road to Luz - Now we did hire a car and it opened up a variety of things to do.



Car Hire was only 90 euro for 3 days.



We had a great time and will be going back next year as it was lovely, reasonable and a great way to spend a week.

I cannot recommend this holiday complex highly enough. We took our 5 kids here for an early summer holiday and stayed in villa number 9.



The villa itself was spacious with 3 good sized bedrooms and an open plan living room and dining area, which was air conditioned. The kitchen was a good size and had everything needed.



The TV had all the channels needed for the kids and ourselves BBC, ITV and a couple of the free movie channels. We had our own pool which the kids loved.



The complex had a larger pool and a children’s pool for public use. There was a restaurant served absolutely gorgeous food, nothing really fancy, just ordinary home cooked food such as steak and pork chops etc.



But what really made the holiday was the staff. They could not do enough for us and made us feel welcome all the time. The male receptionist was excellent as was Luis the maintenance man.



The waiter in the restaurant was extremely helpful especially when the two younger kids were acting up.



The only downside to this complex is the location. It’s about a mile from Praia Da Luz and the nearest beach along a very dangerous road with no footpath.



A taxi ride is about 7 Euros but finding a taxi or bus to come back was difficult.



A visit to the Gypsy market in Loulle is a must as is the Slide and Splash Park in Portimao.

Arrived on a Sunday afternoon after what seemed a very long transfer time from Faro which was over 2 hours. My party was assigned to Villa No 3 with its own pool. This villa with sleeping quarters for 4 -1 Double 1 Twin Bedroom- was reasonably furnished and had adequate facilities for a grown family.



A supplement had been charged for under occupancy of a villa for 6 which was not reasonable as I cannot imagine how 2 more persons could be accommodated in this villa. Outside facilities were very cramped for 4 but pool is acceptable although it could be cleaned on a more regular basis.





We did not use the large pool area for all guests. The restaurant on site was of very good quality and reasonably priced but the bar was not that exciting with a dreadful karaoke 2 nights each week.



The road to Luz village is very dangerous with no footpaths or hard shoulder for much of the distance with an uneven surface. Use of taxis is unavoidable and car hire is a necessity for families with small children in our view. Along this road from the complex to Luz there is a very fine restaurant with genial hosts and beautiful reasonably priced food and drink.



Luz is a charming village and we would return to it but not to this villa complex.

We have always stayed in secluded private villas, however this year decided that our children (age 11 & 12) needed a little entertainment so we booked Monte sao Pedro as we could still have a villa, pool and BBQ and the kids would hopefully meet some friends!



The villa was fine, the kitchen could perhaps have been better equipped (no BBQ tools) but overall we were pleased with it.



Our fridge freezer had seen better days but we managed! The air conditioning in the lounge was lovely, and the bedrooms were comfortable. We paid an extra £400 to have a private pool. Although I'm not sure we really needed it! The kids used it quite a lot but the pool on the main complex is good so you could make do with that. If you didn't have a pool I think the garden area might be a bit small and we like somewhere to relax in peace and quiet.



We use our BBQ a lot, the local supermarkets are good for fresh meat and fish! The main pool area is well maintained and has a small snack bar which sells burgers, toasties etc and is reasonably priced. The restaurant looks a bit dated which originally put us off eating in there, however after a busy day out we decided it was an easy option and the food was lovely (especially the flambé dishes) so we ate there once more after that! The service was very good.



The complex is managed by a family and they must be worn out. You see them in the on site supermarket at 9am, then in the snack bar, then in the restaurant and then in the bar until the early hours, most of the time they're friendly though! The bar area is quite small and a bit 'odd', lots of footy shirts on the walls (you have to see for yourself). The kids loved it as there was karaoke twice a week, the downside was it didn't start till about 10pm and once they'd made friends we couldn't get them out of there. Not many adults sang but be prepared for lots of 'baa baa black sheep' from the little ones! I did get up and sing with friends after a few large vodkas but I'm trying to erase that memory!



I would recommend hiring a car before you go unless you want to spend all your time on site, as the nearest beach would be within walking distance, but along a busy road which would be a nightmare with children. We hired a car before we went and it took less than an hour from the airport to Monte. Others reported a 3 hour coach transfer! We used the car every day, ventured to other beaches and visited zoo marine (fab day out) and a water park which was also very good. If you want to eat out it's easy enough to get a taxi to Luz where there are several restaurants (best to book).



We went to Lagos one day and had a wander around the shops, seems like a nice place, try and park on the outskirts of town if you can.



Overall we had a great time and we are probably going to book for next summer as the kids are desperate to return and we found it a relaxing and fun holiday. The weather was fantastic the first week and we had a couple of rainy days the second week, where the pool table in the games room came in handy. If you have younger children I think kids club will be good, however our 2 used it twice and it was a bit 'young' for them.

Arrived very late, with small child, all completely whacked, to be greeted by very friendly chap, who dispensed with all formalities, such as passports, deposit (which they never did ask for) and gave us the keys to our villa and told us he could get bottled water for us if we wanted it as everywhere was closed which I thought was good service.



The Villa (no 1) was ACE; yes it was a bit shabby but very clean and spacious with a good size fridge freezer, gas cooker, and lots of pots, pans and kitchen tools! The cleaning lady came every couple of days with clean towels. A Brilliant BBQ that we used nearly every day (Intermarche big supermarket in Lagos 5 mins away) the pool was great had lots of fun in it!



The bar on the site is very dull, we went twice and never again! The restaurant looked nice and was used a lot but we didn’t use it, it seemed pretty expensive and we like to eat with "the natives”.



The two ladies who ran kids club were really nice and friendly and definitely get 10/10 for enthusiasm. We heard other visitors complaining about minor maintenance problems but we didn’t have any.



Top tip – hire a car! We did arrange it in the uk (works out cheaper ) for about £220 for 2 weeks. It’s a bit out in the sticks, very relaxing but if you want to do Zoo Marine etc, it’s definitely worth having a car, coach trips are drag with small kids, you spend about 2 hrs picking people up and dropping off Hot and Dull.



Top tip - Either pick up your hire car from the airport when you arrive or get a taxi from the airport to Monte Sao Pedro, the transfer took 3 hrs for a 45 min journey Very Bad!



Had a fab holiday, very cheap to eat out if you get stuck in where the Portuguese are eating, Lagos is lovely lots to see and do day and night, would revisit Monte Sao Pedro ! ENJOY

This was our second visit to Monte Sao Pedro in less than a year stayed in a two bed villa which was very clean and had everything you need for a self catering holiday, including iron and board, cooker took a bit of getting used to but, restaurant on site very reasonable and food really scrummy (thanks Pedro & Rosanna).Small supermarket on site has good selection .



Pool area well maintained and clean, children’s play area is a godsend for anyone with small children, children’s club well organised, beautiful garden areas. The road from the complex into Luz is very busy, and there is no pavement, not suitable for anyone with a pushchair, there is a courtesy bus three times a day 10-1-and 6 which takes 5 minutes, if you decide to walk, it only takes 20minutes or a cab will cost a couple of euros. Lagos is definitely a must see, cab costs less than 7euros , although there is a bus that stops just outside the complex.



We will definitely be going back next year, and hoping to be there again in October this year.