57 Reviews
Traveller Rating
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Excellent20
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Very Good20
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Good7
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Average0
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Poor2
Review Overview
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Cleanliness
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Entertainment
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Food
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Service
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Location
19 years 9 months ago
Booked last minute, allocation on arrival, so a bit apprehensive. But couldn't have ended up in a better place. Very clean, excellent facilities in the room, toaster, microwave, kettle, oven, lovely bathroom with power shower, although we did wake up with bad backs a few times due to the notorious concrete base beds.
As we were then during a heat wave, 110!, due to the lack of air conditioning the rooms were extremely hot, some people bought fans while they were there. The position of our room was fab, overlooking the pool. However, we did speak to a few people who had had a room overlooking the strip, which they said was really noisy until the early hours, but when they told the reps the next day, they promptly moved them to another room in a quieter location.
The all day and night entertainment from the reps was excellent. I hardly saw my 6 and 4 year old, which was a bonus! Only joking (not!)! They were always off being entertained by the more than capable reps, dancing in the pool, water games, quizzes, rounders, skittles etc. And if they weren't with them they were in the baby pool where you could sit and watch them from the comfort of a big shady tree.
I would recommend taking a cooler bag and buying cans from the supermarket rather than the pool bar as the bar was 2 euros and the shop 50cents. When you are buying drinks all day this makes a big difference over a fortnight.
This is a fantastic place for families with young children to go, however, I think couples or families with older children might be a bit disappointed by the evening entertainment, but it suited our every need.
It was like a clean pontins in the sun!
As we were then during a heat wave, 110!, due to the lack of air conditioning the rooms were extremely hot, some people bought fans while they were there. The position of our room was fab, overlooking the pool. However, we did speak to a few people who had had a room overlooking the strip, which they said was really noisy until the early hours, but when they told the reps the next day, they promptly moved them to another room in a quieter location.
The all day and night entertainment from the reps was excellent. I hardly saw my 6 and 4 year old, which was a bonus! Only joking (not!)! They were always off being entertained by the more than capable reps, dancing in the pool, water games, quizzes, rounders, skittles etc. And if they weren't with them they were in the baby pool where you could sit and watch them from the comfort of a big shady tree.
I would recommend taking a cooler bag and buying cans from the supermarket rather than the pool bar as the bar was 2 euros and the shop 50cents. When you are buying drinks all day this makes a big difference over a fortnight.
This is a fantastic place for families with young children to go, however, I think couples or families with older children might be a bit disappointed by the evening entertainment, but it suited our every need.
It was like a clean pontins in the sun!
Travel operator: Travel City
Recommended
19 years 9 months ago
This is the worst hotel I have ever stayed at.
The first night we were put in a room overlooking the resort which was incredibly noisy. It was impossible to get a good night's sleep. One of our beds was also very soft and lumpy. The next day we were moved to another room, but that night people kept running around the corridor of our block throughout the night.
Our toilet smelled of sewerage, our floor was dirty and our balcony was covered in bird poo.
The pool is the best feature of the hotel - it is very large and nice. But there is no lifeguard (despite the hotel being advertised as family friendly). Some teenagers were fooling around on a diving board and one of them fell off and cracked his head on the side of the pool. There was blood everywhere and he had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance.
In the final two days of our holiday there was lots of drilling noise coming from the room next door during the day as it appeared that they were installing a new drainage system in that room.
We had paid an occupancy supplement of 126 pounds for our room, but this was simply a con. Our room was no bigger than any other rooms, there were no extra beds. It just meant that had there been a third person staying in the room the hotel would have provided a rollaway camp bed.
This was the worst hotel that I have ever stayed at. I would never, ever take my family there and will never be travelling with Thomson again as they made no genuine attempts to rectify the situation (they offered us a vila if we paid a 50 pound admin fee or to move us to a hotel of a lower star rating - this was after the first two days of our seven night holiday had been ruined). We were aware that a number of people experienced similar problems at this hotel.
The first night we were put in a room overlooking the resort which was incredibly noisy. It was impossible to get a good night's sleep. One of our beds was also very soft and lumpy. The next day we were moved to another room, but that night people kept running around the corridor of our block throughout the night.
Our toilet smelled of sewerage, our floor was dirty and our balcony was covered in bird poo.
The pool is the best feature of the hotel - it is very large and nice. But there is no lifeguard (despite the hotel being advertised as family friendly). Some teenagers were fooling around on a diving board and one of them fell off and cracked his head on the side of the pool. There was blood everywhere and he had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance.
In the final two days of our holiday there was lots of drilling noise coming from the room next door during the day as it appeared that they were installing a new drainage system in that room.
We had paid an occupancy supplement of 126 pounds for our room, but this was simply a con. Our room was no bigger than any other rooms, there were no extra beds. It just meant that had there been a third person staying in the room the hotel would have provided a rollaway camp bed.
This was the worst hotel that I have ever stayed at. I would never, ever take my family there and will never be travelling with Thomson again as they made no genuine attempts to rectify the situation (they offered us a vila if we paid a 50 pound admin fee or to move us to a hotel of a lower star rating - this was after the first two days of our seven night holiday had been ruined). We were aware that a number of people experienced similar problems at this hotel.
Travel operator: Thomson (booked with Lunn Polly)
19 years 9 months ago
Hotel has fantastic location if want to be close to nightlife,even though close was not disturbed by noise.
Had booked one bedroom but got two double rooms both with own shower rooms brilliant so was not getting in ach others way...only problem was cockroaches but expect them anywhere.
Not usually bothered about day entertainment but enjoyed the quizes and pool games and there is definatly no problems with sunbeds because there is plenty of space on grass.
Had booked one bedroom but got two double rooms both with own shower rooms brilliant so was not getting in ach others way...only problem was cockroaches but expect them anywhere.
Not usually bothered about day entertainment but enjoyed the quizes and pool games and there is definatly no problems with sunbeds because there is plenty of space on grass.
Travel operator: lunpoly
Recommended
19 years 10 months ago
Having just returned from here we cannot recommend it enough.
We had a two bed villa (sleeps 6),which was very large and set in very attractive gardens. The villa had everything we needed,microwave,toaster,a fridge,( that actually worked!)and also a full oven. The bathroom here was the best I have ever had abroad,very modern with a proper power shower over the bath,which also had a disabled handrail (very useful for us able bodied people with no slip mats!) We had a lovely big patio area as well,and a tv.
The staff here were very friendly,the cleaners came every day.The pool is set in great big gardens with plenty of room for everyone.The pool is very very cold! The entertainment around the pool was great.Starting at 11.00am with the breakfast show and then there would be,water polo,lilo races,boat races.The kids would be taken off to play tennis or football or rounders.The good thing being,if you did,nt want to get involved you were not put under any presure at all.
We had a two bed villa (sleeps 6),which was very large and set in very attractive gardens. The villa had everything we needed,microwave,toaster,a fridge,( that actually worked!)and also a full oven. The bathroom here was the best I have ever had abroad,very modern with a proper power shower over the bath,which also had a disabled handrail (very useful for us able bodied people with no slip mats!) We had a lovely big patio area as well,and a tv.
The staff here were very friendly,the cleaners came every day.The pool is set in great big gardens with plenty of room for everyone.The pool is very very cold! The entertainment around the pool was great.Starting at 11.00am with the breakfast show and then there would be,water polo,lilo races,boat races.The kids would be taken off to play tennis or football or rounders.The good thing being,if you did,nt want to get involved you were not put under any presure at all.
Travel operator: thompsons
Recommended
19 years 10 months ago
We stayed in one of the villas next to the tennis court. It was very clean. It was fitted with a fridge/freezer, cooker, toaster, kettle and microwave. There was also satellite TV with English channels.
There was a small garden & patio at the back of the villa, which held the sun in a morning and in the afternoon when the sun moved you could, if you wanted, sit quite comfortably and relatively privately at the front of the villa.
The only thing I didn't like about the villa was the bedroom which was very dark because of its design (All the cupboards, woodwork and ceilings were dark wood and there was only 1 small wall light in one corner of the bedroom and another small light at the dressing table.
The location Vilanova was great. We were right in the middle of the strip, which was full of souvenir shops, cafes and bars and just a short walk from a beautiful beach.
There was a small supermarket practically next door to the complex and another larger one only 5 minutes away.
Across the road from the complex you could catch the little train, which travelled from the strip to the old town every half hour all day long.
All the Thomson Reps were very friendly and were always on hand in the reception area if you needed them. All the other staff at Vilanova were also very friendly and helpful.
We can
There was a small garden & patio at the back of the villa, which held the sun in a morning and in the afternoon when the sun moved you could, if you wanted, sit quite comfortably and relatively privately at the front of the villa.
The only thing I didn't like about the villa was the bedroom which was very dark because of its design (All the cupboards, woodwork and ceilings were dark wood and there was only 1 small wall light in one corner of the bedroom and another small light at the dressing table.
The location Vilanova was great. We were right in the middle of the strip, which was full of souvenir shops, cafes and bars and just a short walk from a beautiful beach.
There was a small supermarket practically next door to the complex and another larger one only 5 minutes away.
Across the road from the complex you could catch the little train, which travelled from the strip to the old town every half hour all day long.
All the Thomson Reps were very friendly and were always on hand in the reception area if you needed them. All the other staff at Vilanova were also very friendly and helpful.
We can
Travel operator: Lunn Poly
Recommended
19 years 11 months ago
When we arrived at the hotel we were pleasantly surprised. It was a lot busier and larger than we thought it would be. The grounds are massive and they are very well kept. When we arrived at the villa we were really pleased. It was huge with everything we would need including microwave, toaster and satelliete TV. We even had a lovely garden with lots of flowers, etc. Definately this was 1 of the best hotels i've stayed in. Also the location is excellent because it's situated on the strip. It was perfect for 6 girls on their hols. But because the hotel is so large and set behind the bars and shops you don't hear much noise at night. In fact you would never know you were right in the heart of it, when you were in the hotel.
Travel operator: Thomson
Recommended
20 years ago
I have just arrived back from my 7 day holiday in the Vilanova Appartments, Albefeira. It was fantastic. The hotel is perfectly situated along the strip, it is close to bars and pubs and the local supermarket (marrichino). If you are looking for a cheap, quiet pub then make a left at the supermarket and follow the road about 3 mins, then go right into a cul-de-sac! Paddischack is a great Irish bar with very very friendly staff and cheap drinks! On the other hand if u r looking for a loud, friendly atmosphere then look down the strip for Mustang, Liquid and be sure to visit Kiss! A great bar and english restaurant is Mariannes (about halfway down the strip on the left). The staff and owners are friendly, and it serves the best English food in the Algarve - guaranteed!
I would definitely visit the Vilanova Appartments again!
I would definitely visit the Vilanova Appartments again!
Travel operator: Portland Direct / Thomson
Recommended
20 years 1 month ago
Got the keys to my room which has concrete bases for beds for three people these were shaped like a U. This also acts as your sofa.
Had to upgrade to one of the villas paid an extra 10euros a night (Were asking for 15).
The villas were great!
Had to upgrade to one of the villas paid an extra 10euros a night (Were asking for 15).
The villas were great!
Travel operator: Thomson
Recommended
20 years 6 months ago
We booked this holiday for a weeks break. We had only come back from Cyprus in August! Was not impressed on arriving at the apartments - our room had a massive water mark down the room and the dreaded concrete bases which were sofas by day and beds by night! After speaking to the rep they changed our room immediately - although the new room had the same dreaded concrete bases we really did enjoy our stay here. After all we only used the room to sleep in and to get ready to go out. Plenty of places to eat and drink nearby and beach - although quite a walk away - once there it was really lovely. Would go back.
Travel operator: thompson
Recommended
21 years ago
Just returned from a two week stay at Vila Nova
Must admit when arrived early hours of the morning wondered where the hell I was. Complex is located just off the strip, which was very noisy and full of people who had overindulged!!
However once checking in and located apartment was pleasantly surprised to find a quiet haven set back from the main strip.
Very large swimming pool that was great for the kids, Reps organised daily activities round the pool all day and were very good.
Don't bother getting a sunbed the pool is set in really nice gardens with trees for shade we found this was the best option. Very close to all the action for the evening within a five minute walk you can find all types of restaurants and bars.
Pool bar was good during the day although prices for soft drinks a bit expensive, if you have kids would suggest you take a cool bag and buy cans of drinks from the supermarket worked out at 50 cents at can from the supermarket compared to nearly 2 euros for a large soft drink from the bar.
Adults try the Sangria made by Bruno well worth the money and a lot stronger than Spanish stuff.
Casablanca bar was okay for Kids zone but otherwise not worth staying unless you got back there between 11pm - 12am for happy hour.
Must admit when arrived early hours of the morning wondered where the hell I was. Complex is located just off the strip, which was very noisy and full of people who had overindulged!!
However once checking in and located apartment was pleasantly surprised to find a quiet haven set back from the main strip.
Very large swimming pool that was great for the kids, Reps organised daily activities round the pool all day and were very good.
Don't bother getting a sunbed the pool is set in really nice gardens with trees for shade we found this was the best option. Very close to all the action for the evening within a five minute walk you can find all types of restaurants and bars.
Pool bar was good during the day although prices for soft drinks a bit expensive, if you have kids would suggest you take a cool bag and buy cans of drinks from the supermarket worked out at 50 cents at can from the supermarket compared to nearly 2 euros for a large soft drink from the bar.
Adults try the Sangria made by Bruno well worth the money and a lot stronger than Spanish stuff.
Casablanca bar was okay for Kids zone but otherwise not worth staying unless you got back there between 11pm - 12am for happy hour.
Travel operator: Unknown
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