Confirming Your Booking

You confirm your booking by paying your deposit either by telephone with our reservations team or online using the link on your quotation. We then send you a pro-forma invoice and a unique link to your booking form which you complete online.

After receiving your completed booking form, we send you the booking confirmation email and documentation. Your booking is only valid when a deposit or balance (for bookings which commence within 10 weeks) has been paid, and a booking form has been completed and received by us, and we have sent you a confirmation invoice.

Price Guarantee

The owners guarantee the price of your accommodation will not change after you have made your booking and we have issued a confirmation invoice on their behalf.

We are so confident our prices are the lowest available that we offer customers who have already booked a refund of 125% of the difference between what they paid to Sun-hat Villas for the rental. (see our booking conditions for details)

We regularly check our rates to ensure they are the lowest available, but if you find an identical property for less we will price match and offer you a further discount.

(see our booking conditions for details)

Should your booking be for a period in the future when the price is not yet agreed we will state clearly on the booking “Rates are subject to a year on year price increase to be advised”.

Making Payments

We take a deposit of 25% at the time you book with us, and you pay the balance 10 weeks before your rental begins. If your rental begins within 10 weeks we would require the full balance to confirm. Your balance payment is due 10 weeks before travel.

Bank Transfers

You can make payments by bank transfer - our bank details are displayed on your invoice - you must quote the booking reference number on the transfer. We will send you an email receipt for each payment with an updated invoice showing payments received and balance remaining.

Credit, Debit Cards and Payit

We accept all major debit and credit cards by telephone and via our booking manager portal, you can also use Payit by Natwest - a simple and secure way to pay directly from your bank account.

Sun-hat Smartphone App for directions, maps, and key collection and return

The Sun-hat Smartphone App provides an interactive map showing the precise location of your villa and details of key collection. The App is updated with this information 28 days before you travel. We also email you with PDF attachments with directions, maps and key collection details. Please read these in advance of travel, and if you would like us to talk you through the directions before you leave, we would be very happy to do so.

Please note, key collection differs from property to property, your specific details are advised to you both in the Smartphone App and by email 28 days before your arrival. The key may be collected from a key safe at the accommodation, or possibly from a key safe at the house manager’s office, or you may be met at the property.

At the end of your stay, it is your responsibility to return the keys to the same place they were collected.

Descriptions and Photography

We describe our holiday properties accurately, dispensing with colourful adjectives in favour of clarity and integrity, giving a feel of the layout of the properties and apartments, along with their situation. We also show clear photography both interior and exterior, and the exact location of the property with aerial views (please note Google aerial imagery may be up to 3 - 6 years old). We are always happy to answer specific questions about our properties on request.

A twin bedroom means two single beds. A double bedroom has a double bed. A bathroom has bath with shower over, basin and WC A shower room has a shower instead of a bath, basin and WC All self-catering properties have a kitchen or kitchenette and living room.

Download the Sun-hat Smartphone App

Immediately after you complete your booking form our system sends you an invitation to download the Sun-hat App and your unique login details. This contains all your booking details including directions and key collection information (updated to the App 28 days before your rental commences). The Smartphone App has a live navigation aid which is very helpful for finding your villa and we strongly recommend you download and login to your booking profile.

Our Holiday Properties

Many of the properties we feature are privately owned, and are therefore furnished and equipped to the individual tastes of the property owner. Sun-hat Villas and Resorts acts as agents for the owners of overseas properties, and we regularly visit the properties we feature to ensure they offer a good standard of accommodation.

Property Check-in and Check-out Times

On your first day, your property is ready for your arrival at 4.00pm. There may be a possibility of early check-in by request, but this is never guaranteed. We ask for your arrival and departure flight times on our booking form so we can attempt to minimise any delay to your check-in.

On your departure day your property check-out time is 10.00am unless otherwise arranged and confirmed in writing with the local house manager, representative, or UK office. There may be a charge for a late check-out.

If your flight times suggest you would benefit from an early check-in or late check-out we automatically request this for you, however, this is usually not possible in peak season (July and August) when occupancies are high and our customers arrive and depart on the same day.

Accidental Damage Waiver (ADW) and Refundable Key Deposit

Many of our properties are covered for accidental damage by a mandatory Accidental Damage Waiver, which is a non-refundable charge of £9 to £12 per person per stay. The Accidental Damage Waiver (ADW) is added to your confirmation invoice. This covers you and your party for any accidental damage to the property during your occupation up to the value of £1,500. This waiver expressly excludes damage caused through negligence or vandalism. For any damage to the property which exceeds the value of £1,500, or caused by negligence or vandalism you will invoiced for immediate payment and the owners reserve the right to do so. The ADW does not cover property keys. A £100 refundable key deposit will apply to all bookings where an Accidental Damage Waiver (ADW) applies. The £100 is returned to your payment card or by bank transfer within 14 days of the date of your departure from the accommodation. Hotels, suites and villa complexes with a reception check-in where a credit card guarantees your extras charges are outside the ADW and refundable key deposit system.

House Deposit (refundable)

Certain bookings especially in the most prestigious properties and where the property owner demands, may be subject to a deposit of between £500 - £2500 or more, the "house deposit", in lieu of any charges in respect of the additional specialist cleaning or damage to high value furniture and equipment, and any damage howsoever caused to the property. The deposit, subject to the events listed in this clause, shall be refundable and repaid to you within 14 days of the date of your departure from the accommodation. Your liability for the property extends beyond the "house deposit" taken for your accommodation. Any damage caused to the property must be reported to the local house manager immediately and any damage cost will be deducted from your house deposit.

For properties where a house deposit applies an ADW will not be applicable.

Extras / Supplementary Items

Where extras such as cots, high chairs, extra beds, pool heating etc. are available there will usually be a supplementary charge. The available items and prices for each property are displayed on the company website and on the online booking form. All extras must be added at time of booking.

We do not guarantee the availability of extras which are not booked at the time of booking, and therefore we strongly recommend these are booked as early as possible.

Special Requests

Special requests (for example early check-in or late check-out) are never guaranteed, however we will always do our best to accommodate special requests where possible. Special requests should, wherever possible, be made at the time of booking.

Air Conditioning

Air conditioning is available in most of our properties and may be included in the property cost, or may be a chargeable extra, depending on the property. The price varies from property to property and is displayed below the price panel and on the booking form. You should always request this at time of booking on your booking form.

Internet and Telephone

Many of our private villas are supplied with internet services at no additional cost; in some resorts (e.g. Hilton) there is a charge for internet services. Downloading files or streaming TV services may be limited or subject to buffering as a result of limited speeds. Should there be a telephone at your property, incoming telephone calls are free, however all outgoing telephone calls are charged according to usage and shall be set off against any house / key deposit held, or will be invoiced to you.

Satellite and Cable TV

Where satellite or cable television is advertised this may mean BBC and / or ITV and in some properties Sky TV, however in some properties only a limited selection of satellite services are available. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee the precise channels as these services change from time to time. If you ask us to clarify which services are supplied at a particular property we can usually find out for you.

Swimming Pools

Where pool sizes are shown, for irregular shapes the maximum is shown. As a guide, pool depths are usually 0.9 - 1.1m at the shallow end, and 1.8 - 2.0m at the deep end however you should always check before using the pool. There is no diving permitted at any of the properties and extra care should always be taken when using the pool. Children should be supervised at all times.

Swimming Pool Heating

Many of the properties featured have heated swimming pools. This feature is usually an optional extra and carries an additional charge. The cost varies from property to property and sometimes season to season, and is subject to a minimum charge of 7 days. Please check the individual property details.

The water temperature cannot be guaranteed as this will depend on ambient temperatures, the type of the heat pump, and whether a pool cover is used. Pool heating is switched on a few days in advance of arrival to preheat the pool and may be switched off a few days prior to departure. We are unable to make refunds of pool heating payments for days not required.

Ironing Boards, Hair Dryers, Washing Machines and Pool Towels etc.

All our privately owned villas and apartments are equipped with ironing boards, irons and washing machines, and most resort properties are also fully equipped with these items. We do not specify every detail in the property description so please contact us if you need more information about the property you have booked or are thinking of booking.

Hair dryers and pool towels are available in many of our properties and this is usually mentioned in the property description. If hair dryer or pool towel is not mentioned in the property description then this usually means they are not available at that property. Maid Cleaning

A maid cleaning service is included in all of our properties.

The service will always include: clean bed-linen and bathroom towels on arrival and a full change at least once weekly (clean on arrival and a change after 7 days (approx.). The frequency of cleaning varies according to the property. Additional cleaning is normally available on request for a small charge. Pool and beach towels are included in some properties and excluded in others. You should check the website description or email us. Cleaning of pool towels is usually not provided in the cleaning service in self-catering properties where a washing machine is available.

Strictly no smoking and no pets

All of the properties featured on the Sun-hat Villas & Resorts website operate a strict no smoking and no pets policy. Should any of your party be suspected of smoking inside the property, or should you take a pet without prior written consent, your rental will be terminated immediately with no refund.

People in your Booking

Should you wish to accommodate more people in the property than the number booked, you should notify us in advance. There is usually no extra charge except where applicable the ADW and extra bed / cot charge.

Children

Children’s high chairs and cots are usually available at a weekly charge, and should be ordered at the time of booking. The very young should be supervised, as there are always risks.

Building Work

Resorts are always developing, and therefore new building work and refurbishment work is always taking place. This may commence with little or no warning to neighbouring owners. As a responsible agent we take steps to monitor building works. If, in our opinion, a neighbouring building plot or plots would seriously affect your property with either noise or dust pollution or both, then we advise customers affected and use our best endeavours to find a solution.

Where roadworks or public works occur at short notice or without notice, and which are outside of our control, neither the owner nor ourselves can be held liable for any inconvenience to you, but will of course act to seek recompense from the property owner.

Assistance Abroad

In all our destinations we have a local agent, house manager or representative who will make the necessary arrangements in advance of your arrival. We will provide you with local contact numbers for our people in your destination should you need assistance or information.

There is a 24 hour emergency contact number message when you call the Sun-hat office outside normal office hours.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking that all members of your party have adequate travel insurance. Crimes against people and property are a reality abroad, as they are in the UK, so we advise you to be vigilant whilst on holiday. Should you lose any property whilst abroad, you will need to obtain a police report for any insurance claim you make.

Personal Health

Please tell us at the time of booking about any medical condition or infirmity of any member of your party that might be relevant to your holiday. We have contacts with medical facilities and companies abroad who can offer services that may assist and make your trip even more comfortable.

Passports and API
(Advance Passenger Information)

A valid British Passport is necessary to visit the countries in our programme. If you or a member of your party is not a British Citizen you should contact your Embassy to find out if you or a member of your party should obtain a Visa prior to your departure date. We are unable to accept responsibility for the failure of customers to carry valid passports, visas, or driving licences. Some countries, including Portugal, require persons under 18 years old who are travelling with friends and not family to hold a letter of permission from their parent or guardian.

In some countries the local tourism authorities require villa owners to report the names, addresses and passport details of guests staying at their accommodation and we often assist in this process by obtaining this information in advance. If it is needed from you we will be in contact in plenty of time. Since Brexit was completed your British Passport must be no more than 9 years and 6 months from it’s date of issue whilst you are abroad. We recommend you check to ensure your passport was only issued for 10 years as some were issued for longer.

Requirements may change and you must check the up-to-date position in good time before departure. For example, from 2025 an ETIAS is being introduced for travel to the Schengen Area. This is a security measure and not a visa but it is a requirement of travel.

Changes to your Accommodation

We always inform you of any changes that may have taken place since descriptions were written / checked, or since you made your booking, just as soon as we are made aware. There may be times when our property owners alter or temporarily withdraw services or advertised facilities, without prior warning to us.

Cancellations

The charges, should you cancel your holiday, are listed in clause no 8 of our booking conditions. Should you be forced to cancel for reasons covered by insurance, cancellation charges may be reclaimable from your insurance company. We always recommend you take out insurance at the time of booking.

Tourism Taxes Algarve

The Table Below is a breakdown of all of the tourism taxes in place and corresponding regions to which they apply. High season is from 1st April to 31st October.

Travel Advice

The latest travel advice is available from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information by clicking here.