I have been travelling to the Western Algarve in Portugal for more than 25 years. When my friend bought Villa D (next door to my villa) in 2003, I holidayed with her for 9 years until Villa C came on the market and I decided to buy it for my own use, as well as letting it out.
If there is sufficient notice given, the two properties can be booked at the same time for extended family or a group of golfers - maximum 12 adults. The two villas share the stairs to the Pool Terrace and as they both have large sun terraces, it means there is still plenty space to sunbathe or sit and chat.
The Porta do Paraiso complex is made up of 11 3-bedroom villas and 2 2-bedroom apartments all sharing the pool terrace where there is a small pool and baby pool and a large terrace with sun loungers and parasol bases to put up sun parasols.
The Western Algarve is much quieter than the area around Faro and Albufeira which is why I love it. With it being only 1-hour's drive from Faro airport, it makes getting there an easy drive.
Praia da Luz is a small community with a lovely sandy beach bay with lots of nice restaurants and cafes along the beachfront. The coastal path, both to Lagos and Burgos are very scenic and you can see lots of very pretty flowers in the spring time.
Lagos is a short drive away and I love the old town with cobbled streets with shops and restaurants. My favourite are the pottery shops! I love the Portuguese pottery and have amassed quite a collection over the years of travelling to Portugal!
What I love about the area is that if you want to just lie on the beach you can do that, meanwhile the family could make use of the water sports and take out a pedalo or the latest craze of paddle canoeing. Surfing is also a very popular sport and surfers can be seen surfing all along the western Algarve beaches and also up the west coast.