Parque De Costeira Reviews

As one of many all-inclusive holidays we have enjoyed, this one was not one of the best, but there were many facets of the holiday which we enjoyed enormously.
We didn't do any of the trips offered by the Thompson Rep as they were too similar to others done on other holidays. Two visits that we did do and that were not mentioned by the Rep, were:
1. A visit to Alecrim street market on a Saturday morning. If you want to see the real Natal and the people, do go.
2. The Centro de Turismo (Tourism Centre) where there are all manner of local arts and crafts for sale as well as the cheapest T-shirts we found.
3. Do find time to catch a local bus it is a real eye-opener. We got one to Ponta Negra and back.

The food in the hotel was to say the least rather disappointing especially after we had visited the Alecrim market and knew just what was grown in Brazil, much of which we never saw in the hotel.
The people of Natal were very helpful and friendly even though we were unable to speak their language, other than the basics. This was particularly noticeable when trying to travel by bus; they would always make sure you got off at the right place, or even got on the right bus in the first place.
This also applied to the hotel staff who, with the exception of the receptionists, were always polite and did everything with a smile.
Disappointingly we were not asked to complete a questionnaire by either the hotel or the holiday company (Portland)
Hotel and Room
Basic and the room had a mini-bar fridge but the contents were only free on the
first night.
A lack of coat hangers in the room and no plug for the washbasin
No change for larger value notes was ever available in reception
The courtesy bus as advertised by Portland no longer runs.

Food
The food was unimpressive and lacked variety on a day-to-day basis.
The table wine served as part of the All Inclusive package in undrinkable. Indeed it is the worst in the world and Portland/Thompson should do something about it.
If you want orange juice at any time you have to ask for it especially at breakfast time
If you like toast, be prepared for a long wait; they have only two domestic toasters.
The lounge bar is closed on a Sunday
This is also the bar where I saw drinks glasses being rinsed in cold water
If trying the Italian and French restaurants, take your own wine and they are quite happy to uncork it for you. Their own wine list starts at £10 a bottle!
Buy some wine in the supermarket.. Good Chilean Merlot or Cabernet at 17 Reals

Shopping
The Midway Shopping Mall is very good and next to it is the Extra supermarket that sells everything including inflatable lilos which we bought, as the sun-beds at the hotel are hard after a day or so! (only about £1.60ea.)
The Praia Shopping Mall has a good money exchange office with good rates.
Entertainment
We had only one show in two weeks and little of that was visible due to the lack of lighting. We rated it 1/10. Only drums and chanting
Airport
There is no duty free at the airport, neither is there any air-conditioning so be warned.

Having said all that, the weather was hot and the the sun shone most of the time, and despite minor niggles it was a very enjoyable holiday.

Thomson have celebrated there first year travelling to Brazil and I'm sure there will be many more. We were there over Christmas and New Year and it was HOT. I've never used Factor 30 sun cream before but it's a must. Hotel lovely and spacious, never seemed to be many people about (but I'm sure there were) plenty of seating at reception very posh. Only one bar open at night, two during the day, but never overly busy. Hotel lovely for a stroll at nighttime along the board walk or sitting in the gardens sipping a cocktail -heaven. Food quite good and plenty of it all day and night but of course there were the usual complaints but there's something for everyone.
Didn't do many tours and the two we did disappointing, but we're not really tour people would prefer to sit on the beach speaking of which hugh, empty and only two beach sellers, sea warm and wild great for jumping around in. Hotel had two pools with slide and pool bar.
I would 100% recommend this hotel to anyone,would definitely go back ourselves.

This was our first long haul holiday and would like to say that it was one I would recommend to anyone. The hotel has some rooms that are in, what you would call, old colonial style and also rooms that are more modern. The cleanliness of the room and changing of bed linen and towels were excellent though some people did experience slight problems at the beginning of the holiday but these were quickly sorted. The staff were all very friendly and couldn't do enough to help.

We were all inclusive and the food was really good, plenty of choice even though they eat a lot of meat in Brazil. We also had a choice of vegetables, some that we had not encountered before, so tried them all and found them really nice. It is worth trying whatever is on the menu because that is what going abroad to a different country is all about, so if you expect British type food and cooked the British way then why bother to go to a place like Brazil, better staying in the UK. Drinks and snacks were available at some place in the hotel throughout the day till late. There are also two other restaurants that you can book to eat in (one of them per week), French and Italian. We tried them both and enjoyed the menu (which you decide at the time of booking) especially the French.

They have an excellent gym etc. It is worth looking round even if you don't want to partake even though it is free. It is supervised all the time. There is also a children's games room and a disco. The pools are excellent and kept clean and there are plenty of sunbeds (though no cushions - some bought lilos which are cheap)and a number of tables with umbrellas and chairs. The hotel is on the beach and just a few steps under the boardwalk takes you there and you will find the locals selling bracelets, belts, necklaces, sunglasses and t-shirts etc. They do not hassle you and are really friendly and so pleased if you buy something and still smile even if you don't.

Ponta Negra is worth a visit especially in the day to see the 'largest sand dune that finishes right on the beach' and the beach itself is great (local football matches are played and don't interfere with sun bathing). A visit to the Fort and to see the largest Cashew tree are well worth seeing. Also, the Brazilian Dance Show at a hotel down the road is a must.

The local drink Cipaurhinia (excuse the spelling - pronounced Ky-p-reenia)is very refreshing and Joachim (one of the staff) makes the best in Brazil.

Our holiday was worth every penny of the cost and would definitely go again if possible and wouldn't hesitate to use the same hotel.