Flor Da Laranja Apartments

2 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned from Flor Da Laranja, and although basic accomodation, and bed was a little hard it was clean and welcoming.
The two pools are clean and never very busy as it is a small estate, we never had to wait for a sunbed.
The cooker and microwave were very efficient and quick, and the bonus was the free washing machines and iron on site. Air con in the apartment was a must and free also.
the bathroom had seen better days and was dated, and the enamel bath chipped, however it was clean and the shower was powerful.
The cockerel awoke very early and this was not unpleasant, the noise from the road could be heard but was not too over powering, no loud music or bar on site so quiet and not rowdy. One night the local night club a few miles away could just be heard.
A car is definately a must as it is quite isolated.
The owners dogs and cats were unintrusive and friendly as were the owners.
The holiday rep however was nowhere to be seen during our stay we did not see him once, we were informed at the airport that he would contact us.
One word of warning ensure that when you get to the airport you ask a rep for directions and they will give you a print out, this was exellent and we found it with no trouble.
We would all go back again and the 3 families we spoke to had done just that and came year after year.
All in all I would recommend staying as it is one of the most relaxing holiday that we have had, and the portuguese are so friendly and welcoming.

2 readers found this review helpful

Just returned from Flor da Laranga after our last minute getaway. The accommodation is basic and very clean with a well equipped kitchen. We would recommend that if self catering, you take wash up liquid, cooking oil and condements as they only seem to sell them in huge bottles and we were there for 1 week!
The grounds are lovley and there are two superb pools. The owners are friendly and helpful. The accommodation is set behind locked gates which makes you feel safe. There is a very busy road by Block B which can be noisy unless you use your window shutters at night. Air conditioning is free - another bonus. The halls between apartments do echo so partying neighbours can be disturbing (take some earplugs!).
There are virtually no facilities locally so a car is a must for getting to the beach, resturants and shops.
This is a great place for a getaway. There are always plenty of sunbeds by the pool and the facilities are always very clean.
Our only downside was that we had very noisy neighbours and the directions given by the Thomson Rep were unclear, so we got lost on the way there. Even when we knew our way around, the directions given to us did not make sense!

Our two week stay was a last minute holiday. We had never been to the Algarve and with two 16 year old girls we must say we were not disappointed at all. The complex was spotless. The maids cleaned the rooms every other day. The people who owned the apartments went out of their way to make sure that all our needs were attended to.
Yes, it is quite. Yes, you do need a car. But this did not stop us from having one of the best holidays ever. For the first time we wanted the holiday to last just that bit longer and longer. During the day we could chill by the pool, taxi out on a night, drive to all the best beaches and places of interest. The choice was ours. Will we stay again, of course, despite the cockeral, do we want this little gem of a place known to everyone. no way. Thank you once again and look forward to staying again in2009.

A little gem for a relaxing holiday. We had booked a one bedroom apartment and had the surprise of two balconies, one for the morning sun and one for the evening sun. Basic accommodation but clean and everything provided to make our stay comfortable.A car is a must as apartments situated about 3 kms from main town. Beaches lovely and local people very friendly. Good value for money and would return.

First Choice were very good and I would holiday with them again. The rep was very good and very helpful, but not in your face. The flight and car transfer was smooth and easy.
This was our first time to Portugal as a family with 2 girls, 13 & 9 years + 13 year friend. I found that there are many attractions to keep the kids occupied, from water-parks to horse riding. The local beach is very good and well worth the walk up the hill! - try the cafe at the top, it is the only one and really provides a good snack at cheap prices. We also went to a beach called Gale which is the about 10k away, very wide local beach (when the tide is out) and also has some rock pools.
The local restaurants were of good quality and we never had a bad meal. Visit Alvor and have some bbq sardines in one of the cafes at the harbour, they are just caught, gutted then put on the bbq, then straight onto your plate!
The weather was OK - in the evening it was either hot or windy and a bit cold! but even the locals said this was very rare.
The accommodation was very good, clean, and the maids cleaned almost everyday. The pool area is clean and has 2 bbq area's that we used in the evening. Go to the supermarket and ask for bbq peri chicken, or prepared kebabs. Then just light up the bbq at the pool and enjoy. It also has a smaller pool with 1 more bbq.
When booking the rooms, have a think.We book 2 bedrooms, while it was fine, the studio's in block B seem to have the same floor space (we had an additional family out with us) so, if you don't mind sharing, sleeping in the main room (4 people) they're very good. They had bigger kitchens and bathrooms than the 2 beds apartment. I would return here as the standard was very good.The thing is, it's not the same as Greece!

Far from the maddening crowd! A couple of kilometres from the coast and about half way between Villamoura and Albufeira. There are few local facilities and a car (provided in the First Choice deal) is essential. Although set next to a road there is surprisingly little noise in Block B with Blocks A and C even further away. We had the two bedded apartment closest to the road and with the benefit of double glazing were not in the slightest bothered even when out on the terrace. The small complex was well kept with remote security gates on entry. It has two pools the second being a bit small for swimming. There is no bar or music (bliss!) although there are three communal BBQ areas. The swimming pool areas were quiet and peaceful and it is the only place that I have ever stayed where the guests return the sun bed pads and tie up the sun umbrellas!
That probably gives you some idea of the type of people who choose to stay there. It is not for clubbers or those seeking the night life of a large resort but is for those of us who crave a bit of peace and quiet in which to relax and chill out. I have marked the accommodation down to an eight purely because of its location and will hopefully be able to stay there again on our next visit to Portugal.

Have only just returned from the Algarve but wanted to tell anyone thinking of booking these apartments that they are extremely good value for money (we booked last minute). You definitely need a car to get around but both Vilamoura and Albufeira are both easily within 10 mins of apartments. Apartments had everything we needed and although swimming pool is quite small it was adequate for our needs.
You need to remember that these apartments don't have a snack bar so it would be worth stopping at a supermarket on route if you are arriving late afternoon/evening. Recommended day trips include Zoo Marine and Slide & Splash water park. Rosa's Cantina Mexican restaurant in Vilamoura is a little hard to find but is worth searching out as its definitely a hidden treasure, never too busy to seat you and food is excellent and staff are lovely.
Other nice restaurants are along Vilamoura Marina. Tip for golfers - the courses around Vilamoura offer junior prices after a certain time in the afternoon which could save you quite a few euros.

We have just had a wonderful holiday, very relaxing, even with a 2 year old! The apartment was all that we needed and the the pool just right for our toddler. However, there was no other entertainment for children.
Our rep was brilliant especially as we had questions for her everyday!
Definitely need a car as the complex is quite isolated, our package deal came with one included.
Would recommend the Retiro do Isca restaurant for gorgeous Portuguese food just round the corner (not the cheapest) and the very friendly staff at the Sheraton restaurant.

Excellent apartments, kitchen well equipped, two lovely pools and surroundings. The staff were most friendly and helpful. It is a little way to the nearest shops, restaurants etc so a car is a must unless you are keen walkers! The barking dog next door took some getting used to!!! However it will not put us off returning in the near future.
The area is well situated to visit both ends of the Algarve. If you like shopping Villa Real Santo Antonio near the Spanish border is great. Try visiting the Chapel of the Bones in Faro, gruesome but fascinating!!