44 Pestana Palm Gardens
Pestana Palm Gardens is a small, exclusive development set on the cliff top about 1km outside the popular, bustling resort of Carvoeiro. The development consists of 80 two storey townhouses set in attractive mature gardens that abound with palm trees, bougainvillea and well tended lawns. The houses were built about 20 years ago, but they have been completely refurbished within the past five years. There is a large communal swimming pool, which is heated in winter, a swimming poolside bar and a restaurant. Other on-site facilities include a tennis court, table tennis, a small health club/gym and a reception office, with friendly helpful staff, that is open every day. There is direct access from the resort’s gardens on to the cliff top, which is a protected area that is home to many birds and is full of wild flowers in springtime.
No. 44 overlooks the pool and sunbathing area to the front. To the rear is part of the communal lawns with partial views over the cliff top to the ocean. The ground floor of the house consists of a tiled entrance area, a fully fitted kitchen, shower room with WC, and a lounge/dining room with French windows opening to a small patio and the communal lawn. Upstairs there are two bedrooms, one twin and one double, and a bathroom. The house is comfortably furnished and the floors are tiled throughout in the Portuguese fashion. The bedrooms have large fitted wardrobes and the twin bedroom, which is at the rear and is air-conditioned, has a balcony with views out to sea. The double bedroom has a large floor-standing cooling fan for hot nights. In the lounge, which is air-conditioned, there is a stereo radio/CD, a cable television with several English channels, including BBC one and two and Channel 4. The house is cleaned twice weekly by the resort’s maid service. Bed linen and towels (except beach towels) are provided and changed weekly. Babies’ cots can be arranged. Free WiFi internet is available in the pool area.
In the Carvoeiro Area
Carvoeiro is a popular holiday destination with a great variety of restaurants and many other tourist facilities. It attracts families, couples and golfing, but not the 18-30 crowd, who tend to prefer Albufeira because of its many nightclubs. The coastline in the area is mainly limestone cliffs with many coves and caves. There is a variety of attractive sandy beaches, the nearest is Praia de Centeanes, which is a 6-8 minute walk from Palm Gardens. There are many more beaches within a short drive, such as Praias des Carvalho, Benagil, Marinha, Albandeira and, of course, Carvoeiro itself. Each beach has its own attractions with varying degrees of facilities and accessibility. Our favourites are Centeanes and Marinha.
Golf Courses
The Algarve is known as a golfer’s paradise and there are many excellent golf courses within a half hour’s drive. The Pestana Group runs three attractive 18 hole championship courses in the Carvoeiro area and guests at Palm Gardens are entitled to discounted (-40%) green fees on these courses (namely, Vale da Pinta, Gramacho and Silves – see www.pestanagolf.com) Closer at hand, within five minutes drive, is the nine hole par three Vale de Milho course.
Further Afield
To fully appreciate the western Algarve you should visit the historic town of Silves with its Moorish castle, and drive into the hills to Monchique and Caldas de Monchique, places that can provide a welcome respite from the heat of summer. Monchique, which is at the same height as Snowdon, is one of the best places to sample the local delicacy, piri-piri sauce, traditionally served on bbqd chicken. Cape St Vincent, the southwestern tip of Europe, is about two hours drive from Carvoeiro and makes an excellent day excursion..
To appreciate the coastline you can take boat cruises from Portimao or, for the more energetic, take a pedalo from one of the several beaches. Some boats also offer sport fishing. Details of excursions can be obtained from the reception office at Palm Gardens.
Excellent shopping can be found either at the Algarve Shopping Retail Park at Guia, near Albufeira, or in the fishing port of Portimao. Portimao also has a daily market and a large monthly market held on the first Monday of the month. Algarve Shopping and Portimao are each within 20 minutes drive from Palm Gardens. Popular gypsy markets are held in the nearby towns of Loule and Quarteira.
Other nearby activities include horse riding at either the Silves Country Riding Centre, or Quinta da Gill, and for children, the water slide parks of Slide & Splash and Aqualand, ZooMarine ocean theme park and the Krazy World Algarve Zoo at nearby Algoz.
Although not essential, it is recommended that you hire a car to get the most from your holiday in Palm Gardens. However, if you don’t wish to drive, there is a restaurant on site and all the facilities of Carvoeiro are within 10-15 minutes walk. There is a bus service and a taxi ride to or from the centre of Carvoeiro costs about five euros. Transfers by taxi between Faro airport and Palm Gardens cost about 50 euros each way (see www.farotransfer.com).