You Read it Here First!

Back in January I advised that former CPO entertainment supremo Bruno was now plying his trade as lead singer with local rock group DiéB Band, who have been taking the Algarve by storm.

At the time I wrote: "It would be great to see Bruno and his band performing back at the CPO some time - and if the management team are reading this, I'm sure I'm not alone in looking forward to the day".

Well, you read it here first and last week DiéB Band rocked the CPO with a lively gig at the resort's big open air Ocean Bar at the old bowling green, in front of a huge backdrop which doubles as a giant TV screen (hope you didn't mind me borrowing your fine photo Pedro) which is rumoured to be the biggest in the Algarve.

Sadly I'm not in the wage bracket for impromptu continental junkets, not even to see the DiéB Band, so I wasn't able to be present at this memorable event and therefore cannot give a first-hand report. But hopefully there will be more. Welcome home Bruno!

News from Bruno

Friends of Clube Praia da Oura has recently heard from Bruno, former singer, entertainer and all-round good guy at CPO, who has given us some news and info about his present work.

Bruno is currently the front man for the DiéB Band, who have been playing gigs at venues around Albufeira, as well as singing and entertaining in his own right. You can keep up to date with the group's activities by visiting their well-supported Facebook site.

It would be great to see Bruno and his band performing back at the CPO some time - and if the management team are reading this, I'm sure I'm not alone in looking forward to the day. But in the meantime, I'll leave you with a little DiéB:

Some Reflections from a Weekend at CPO

This is the first post on this blog, hopefully of many, that has actually been made from the CPO itself. Having arrived on Friday night for an untypically short weekend visit, I was determined to see whether anything had changed very much since my last time here, for better or for worse.

One of the "for worse" parts is that the weather is pretty dire - dry, but cold. There's no feeling homesick for Blighty while it's like this.

But there isn't really very much the management or the team at the Clube Praia da Oura can do about the elements. One piece of bad news that does come from within is that the hard-working and ever-popular entertainer Bruno has moved on to pastures new. Bruno was an absolute legend and an institution at CPO, a real character who personified everything that is fun about the resort, not only providing entertainment and laughter in the evenings but also calling the numbers at bingo (in the days when it was permitted by the Portuguese government), helping to run the pool parties in the summer and even managing activities such as archery during the day. Bruno will be missed by many and we wish him all the very best in his new work.

The CPO itself continues to excel in its service to its clients. The room as always is spotless and the small but thoughtful "added touches" - some basic foodstuffs in the fridge (for which one is always grateful after the flight and transfer in), bottle of wine, toothbrush and other little bathroom essentials, are always much appreciated.

CPO's portfolio of entertainers would appear to be expanding, and the strategy of encouraging cross-patronage around the family of resorts and hotels would appear to be progressing well.

Obviously this week there is a Christmassy feel as well, although I will have missed the carols in the open air by arriving too late on Friday and departing too early on Monday.

It is always a pleasure to be at the CPO and always a sadness to leave. Three nights are never enough to completely rediscover a feel for a place but there is clearly much to be optimistic about.

The Oura Praia Hotel

The Oura Praia Hotel is part of the CPO "family" and is situated just a short walk from the CPO site as one exits the north side of the site.

The hotel boasts a veritable array of leisure facilities and activities for guests. Outdoor pools, a sauna and jacuzzi, tennis court and gymnasium are available for use and indoors the Café Latte Bar and Trevi Restaurant serve a range of food from breakfasts to evening meals as well as hosting (at Trevi) night time entertainment, often with Bruno the Club Praia da Oura's lead entertainer. There is also a bar at poolside where one can choose from a range of soft drinks or cocktails.

The 126 self-catering apartments are all newly redecorated and are equipped throughout with satellite television and air conditioning. From the balconies and the furnished terraces guests can enjoy views over the pool and Oura village.