About Us

Why VDL Car Hire has become one of the largest independent car hire companies in the Algarve and the largest provider of car hire and transfer services in Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and surrounding areas.

Jonathan Parish founded VDL Car Hire with the support of his commercial team in response to receiving what he described as indifferent service and confusing commercial practices from both local and global car rental companies during his many years of travelling around the world. It was his goal to provide a simple, straightforward and transparent process to car hire, delivering real customer value and a HASSLE FREE EXPERIENCE.

  • No more queuing – VDL Car Hire greets you personally in the arrivals hall of Faro Airport and assists you with your luggage to your car which is parked approximately 200 metres from the terminal.  Our target time from the point of greeting you to you departing the airport is 15 minutes.
  • Bottles of chilled water are provide in every car ensuring you are refreshed for the journey to your villa or hotel.
  • Clear and transparent insurance terms so no surprises or pressure sales.
  • Our own Executive VIP Chauffeur Transfer Service with your hire car awaiting your arrival at your villa.
  • Free Built-in GPS Included
    Sat Nav included and first address entered to help your departure.
  • Free Child Seats Included
    Because we care about your safety we always provide Free Child Car Seats.

What makes us different?

VDL Car Hire is proud to be the sole approved, award winning supplier of car hire, transfer services and bike hire for Quinta do Lago Resort. VDL Car Hire is totally focused on delivering an exceptional hassle free service with no hidden extras to members and visitors of the beautiful resort.

Quinta do Lago Resort have chosen VDL Car Hire due to its ethical and transparent approach designed to protect owners and regular visitors from the hidden costs often associated with car rental. Our simple and straightforward booking process assures you of a high quality car at preferential rates with special owners benefits of free SCDW (fully comprehensive insurance with zero excess), free additional driver(s), free built-in GPS navigation, free cross-border insurance to mainland Spain, free child seats, free 24-hour breakdown assistance, free villa delivery and collection or free personal VIP meet & greet on arrivals hall at Faro Airport (no queuing), fair fuel policy and discounted airport transfers.
With an office in resort and our total focus on only Quinta do Lago and Faro Airport, owners are assured of an exceptional service from booking, receipt of car and final departure.

This is why VDL Car Hire has been awarded various tourism awards in recognition of its customer service focus and ethical approach.

Free Comprehensive Insurance (SCDW)

All our Cars have Free Full Insurance (SCDW) included.

Free Built-in GPS Navigation

Sat Nav included and first address entered to help your departure.

Free Child Seats

Because we care about your safety we always provide Free Child Car Seats.

Click and Collect

Click and collect service for existing clients or residents of Vale do Lobo & Quinta do Lago.

No Hidden Costs

Best all-in price guaranteed with no hidden costs.

Free Meet & Greet

Personal Meet & Greet in Airport Arrival area to assist you with your luggage.

UK & In-Resort Customer Services

Our reservations team is available by telephone in both the UK and Portugal to ensure an exceptional service

Collection Point

Airport collection point only 200 metres from arrivals exit.

New Cars

The car you select is the car you receive, all cars under 24 months old.

Fair Fuel Policy

Fair fuel policy full on arrival full on return.

Premier Chauffeur Transfers

Book an executive airport transfer or use our in-resort dinner service.

Free 24-Hour Roadside Assistance

All our cars are provided with free 24-hour roadside assistance and tow truck as required.

Our Timeline

Get to know us and how we have been growing.

2014

VDL Car Hire was Founded

VDL Car Hire was founded in June 2014 as a pilot project with 27 vehicles in order to qualify if the business model, designed by Jonathan after a large glass of red wine and borne out of his  frustration with the car hire experience, would resonate with other travellers and holiday makers who just wanted an ethical, transparent, hassle free, high quality car hire service which also delivered great value. Within a few weeks of initiation of the pilot project, it was clear that the model did resonate with villa owners and regular visitors to the Algarve so the fleet was immediately increased to over 100 cars.

2014
2015

Bank Award

During the year, VDL Car Hire received an award from one of the largest banks in Portugal for its performance and well-governed commercial approach.

2015
2016

Algarve Tourism Award

VDL Car Hire was awarded the Algarve Tourism certification in 2016.  In the same year, the company became the sole partner for the largest 5 star resort in Quinta do Lago which recognised that VDL Car Hire’s approach to high quality service and great value had clear synergy with the resort and its members.

2016
2017

Becomes No 1 Sole Approved Provider in Vale do Lobo & Quinta do Lago

By 2017 the company was well established and clearly the go-to car hire company for Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago resorts. Vale do Lobo Resort recognised the value and the approach that VDL Car Hire was delivering to the area by reaching out and awarding VDL Car Hire the sole provider contract for the resort to provide car hire, transfers services and bike hire to their owners and visitors.  VDL Car Hire created an office at Vale do Lobo’s Golf and Shopping centre to facilitate its operation and to provide face to face support for clients in resort.

2017
2018

Newest Fleet in the Algarve

VDL Car Hire by 2018 had become one of the largest independent car hire providers in the Algarve delivering over 30,000 rentals. To continue the focus on quality, VDL Car Hire continued its policy of offering only great quality vehicles, all purchased from new with an investment of €8 million across 400 new vehicles.  Cars are rotated on average within 18 months to ensure the quality of the fleet is always maintained and the newest models. It goes without saying that all of our cars have air-conditioning, built-in GPS and blue tooth connection free of charge to ensure customers not only enjoy driving in the Algarve, but have the assurance of feeling safe in a high specification, new car.

2018
2018

Introduce Specialist Professional Sport Transport Services

Also in 2018, VDL Car hire introduced its specialised professional sports transport service and worked closely with The Campus and Magnolia Hotel in Quinta do Lago to facilitate winter training camps. This service includes 65 seater luxury coaches to transport the teams form Faro Airport to resort, specialist equipment management at the airport and in resort and scheduled shuttle services to and from training for the squads, support personnel and management. Please see below a few examples of the teams we have been proud to support.

2018
2019

Further Sole Provider Contract Awards in Quinta do Lago

VDL Car Hire continued its reputation for excellence and was awarded the contract from a 5 star hotel in the heart of Quinta do Lago to provide car hire, transfer services and bike hire to its guests.

2019
2020

Customer Focused and Support (COVID-19)

Clearly, 2020 has been extremely challenging for everyone and significantly for the tourism industry globally. As soon as the Covid-19 pandemic forced border closures and country-wide lockdowns, VDL Car Hire worked hard to assist clients in moving their bookings to later dates and also supported refund and insurance claims which was greatly appreciated by all our clients and partners.
VDL Car Hire also helped those customers who were unable to return to their home country, or chose to stay in resort, with special rates so that they continued to have transport during these months.

2020
2021

Awarded Sole Supplier Status for the World Renowned Resort of Quinta do Lago

The company was delighted to be awarded the Quinta do Lago agreement in January 2021 and was recognized by the resort.

2021