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Reviewer From:Liverpool

Just returned from this hotel. The hotel is in an excellent location and if you can request a room on the 7th, 8th or 9th floors you will have a superb view of the marina. The 8th floor is for non-smokers. I could not find any fault with the hotel although some of the entertainment needs a little improvement. The cabaret girls were very good. The usual gripe amongst people seemed to be the lack of sunbeds!! The area around the swimming pool is small but needless to say it was towels on beds at dawn!! The hotel management say they could not do anything about it. We spoke to some french and german people who seemed to laugh at the british (and yes it was all the british) putting towels down on sunbeds at 8.00 a.m. and not using them until 1.00 p.m. when the sun eventually appear (the sun does not appear until after 1.00 p.m. on the swimming pool). The only fault I could find with this hotel is the small swimming pool and area around it which does seem very small considering there must have been about 200 people in the hotel at the time. The marina is across the road from the hotel and has a variety of restaurants from cheap to expensive. You will not starve! The beach is about 5 minutes away. Be careful though as you are charged to use the sunbeds there. 13 euros if you arrive before 12 for two sunbeds. 8 euros after 1.00. I recommend that you go after 1. There are plenty of sunbeds to be had and the sun is not as strong. The casino is also a very short walk away and has an evening show on. Try and book it with the Casino direct and not through the tour rep. It is cheaper. You can get a free shuttle bus from the bus stop at the back of the hotel to the Algarve shopping centre. It is similar to our shopping centres but cheaper. I was told that there was a Selfridges there so I hot footed it and the only English shop was a Body Shop but a good day out to get away from the heat. Portugal like Spain was going through a heatwave on our visit. It hit 42 degrees for a couple of days but we did not know!!! Try and get to Lisbon if you can (although it is a very early start - our start was 6.30 a.m.). You will be taken to various places by the coach and then have some free time (although not nearly enough) to do what you want. I would certainly recommend this hotel and resort to anyone but I would say that it is not for families with children. It is more of a couply resort. Hope this helps.

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Reviewer From:Portsmouth, England

Came back from Vila Gale Marina hotel on 29th August 2004. We went for 3 nights. Firstly the resort: The hotel is located about 20 minutes from Faro airport. Everything you need for a great holiday is near by. The beach is a 5 minute walk away, just turn right out of the hotel and walk straight ahead. It's a beautiful long sandy beach but sunbeds and parosols are expensive. The marina is just across the road, here you can find bars, restuarants and souviner shops. There's a bus stop a 3 minute walk away from the hotel, we used a bus to get to the resort of Albuferia where we found everything was alot cheaper than Villamoura, including food, drinks, perfumes. There's a few local supermakets around, Jaffa's is located round the corner of the hotel and sells most things you'll need. There's also a casino near by with shows. Would strongly reccomend a restuarant called Rui's. It offers great food at good value prices,and all the meals are quite large, they even do a carvery every night. Also tried the first chinese you come across in the marina, that's also good value. The Hotel: Every room has views onto the hotel pools. The outdoor swimming pools are a nice size, there's an adults pool and a childrens pool. Sunbeds go very quickly, so be prepared to grab them while you can. The rooms have hairdryers, bbc1 and bbc2, resonable wardrobe space and a nice size bathroom. The entertainment in the hotel isn't the best. On kareoke night the only people to sing were the hotel staff, however they were actually quite good. The entertainment highlight not to miss is the samba dancers, they realy livened up the place and put on a great show. The choice that was offered at breakfast was one of the best I have seen, eveything from fresh fruit, breads, cereals, full english including scrambled eggs fried eggs tomatoes etc, yoghurts and much more. The indoor pool, jaczzi, turkish bath, gym and games room were empty quite alot as the weather was goregeous. The bar prices in the hotel are quite expensive, I reccomend the Villamoura tropical cocktail. Overall: We had a great holiday, there were 2, 17 year olds, 2, 39 year olds, and 2, 57 year olds and we all had a good time.

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Reviewer From:London, UK

Stayed here for 6 nights in August 2004. Very nice hotel and it is in a good location with good friendly service. Stayed on the ninth floor, had a great view of Marina and had a balcony... When you check in ask for 7th floor upwards and a view of Marina + Balcony. Nice pool, but is very busy compared to other other hotels.... Beach is great, but it cost over 15 euros a day for a chair... People were taking their own umbrellas which is a good idea. Marina is a 2 minute walk and beach is a 5-10 minute walk.... Hotel Amenities: No Iron or Firdge... Be warned, our iron broke and the hotel did not have one for us to use, they want you to use their very expensive laundry service. I would reccomend this hotel and it is only a 4 star if you get a room & balcony with a view...

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Reviewer From:Tamworth, England

Found the reviews most helpful and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Room on 9th floor did give fantastic view of marina. Took 7 mnth old and 4 yr old children and plenty of room for us all. Please note you can hire a fridge for a small daily fee, essential for me with a baby. Couldn't fault breakfast, it is the Algarve! Go to restaurant before 10am tho to avoid waiting. As for the sun beds, think its a dreadful shame but if you can't beat em join em!

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Reviewer From:Oldham, Lancs

Recently returned from this hotel and reading some of the comments certainly made us laugh - yes the sunbeds! The only negative we can comment on are the number of sunbeds and yes as per other comments, its the brits who hog them. recommend you put your towel out before 7-30am!! As you face the hotel from the main street the sun will be on the right side from apprx 10-30 - 4. So we had some great laxy days by the pool. We actually booked this holiday via a reputable travel agent and would definately recommend it - next time we will do it independently. The staff are absolutely fantastic right from arrival to departure. On our arrival on 15th July we had a little 3 year old with us, our room wasnt ready however without even asking, the receptionist wanted to move us so we could get into the room, and get the little one sorted - for us a Marina view wasnt the be all and end all, as the little ones safety was more important. Even on the 3rd floor we still got a view of the Marina. The rooms were great - bathroom superb, and a bit of telly if you really wanted it (CBeebies). There is a welcome evening every Friday where the Managers welcome you and give you a fab free cocktail (KIR ROYAL) mmm its nice we went back for seconds and got thirds!! The Management couldnt do enough for you - oh and changing money - the reception do not charge a commission on sterling travellers cheques (even better) There are a lot of comments on where to eat - we would recommend the bounty bar in the evening and definately the stone bass fillet in champagne/algarvian chicken and shrimp bean plate. The breakfasts are great again like previous comments wouldnt recommend the bacon, however my hubby would, and everything else is great. There is entertainment every evening even Parrots on a Friday which are great fun. Vilamoura is so relaxing, no hassles, lovely beach, lovely restaurants, gorgeous marina, few designer shops, fantastic chinese (chinatown) - just by the car entrance to the marina. We were so sad to be leaving Vilamoura and this hotel, we will definately go back. Carlos Filipe, the barman at the hotel cant do enough for you. Hope you enjoy your stay just as much as we did

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Reviewer From:Carlisle,England

Hotel was all we hoped for. Reception very friendly , Rooms spacious and clean. On 8th Floor , so a brilliant view over the Marina. Asked for this and allocated Room at Reception , knowing that's what we wanted - so it is worthwhile asking beforehand. Went B & B. Excellent choice at Buffet. Eggs, Cereal , sausage ,Cold Meats , Cheese and usual foreign bacon ( not like ours ). Plenty of Bread and drinks. Satellite TV in room - even with BBC1. Only downside was no Fridge in Room. Vilamoura is a purpose built resort , so no " old town " , but very nice and relaxing anyway. Good Restaurants - Chicos , Bella Italien , and many more. the Kebabs opposite Chicos are also very good. About the same prices at home. Try the El Matador for Happy Hour 7-8pm and Toasted Sandwiches. Will go again some time.