Portugal Holiday Reviews

The place itself is very nice. Clean with ample bars and restaurants to sample the local delicacies, as well as plenty of places for the less adventurous who prefer the English fare. In close proximity is the Zoo Marine, a great day out there, obviously based on Marine life. the Marina in Vilamoura is typical of many marinas on the Med. Lots of beautiful boats tied up and lots of overpriced bars around it, but that is only to be expected. They have to pay higher rates, so the services have to be priced higher. Go into some of the side streets and there are plenty of little bars and cafes that are not too expensive.

Good place to take your family to. Great food, stuff for kids to do, beautiful beaches and golf courses.

A fantastic beach, lots of shells and Sometimes there were starfish on the beach. A very long beach great for swimming and walking. family orinatated and safe resort. Not too lively, no discos til early hours, plenty bars in main square. There is a casino which has a show worth a visit. Very easy to cross into spain, catch ferry across in next town very cheap to do, catch bus less than 10 minutes to get to. Trip to seville well worth a vist. We plan to go back, very restful and locals very friendly.

Capela dos Ossos. This is one of the weirdest attractions I've ever visited, however it shakes you to the core. It's the spookiest feeling trespassing into the resting place of thousands of heads, legs and arms. The skulls stare you down as you pass through. I lasted 10 minutes before I had to leave. Although we didn't purchase the photography permit and found everyone inside the chapel taking photos, so took our own. No one was inside the chapel to challenge this. If any problem arose, it would be easy to pop out to the sales desk and purchase a permit.

This luxurious, Moorish-style hotel is in a quiet location, but it is only a short walk from the resort centre where you will find a good selection of bars and restaurants. All rooms have the added bonus of a kitchenette and the pretty terrace and gardens have glorious views overlooking the lovely beach of Praia da Rocha. Praia Da Rocha was the Algarve’s first resort – once genteel and sophisticated, but now devoted to some serious fun. Here you’ll find every type of holiday activity you could list, with restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops galore. Horse-riding, golf, waterparks, windsurfing – you name it, it’s here in Praia Da Rocha. In the evening there are discos, music bars and lots of live entertainment in the hotels. The resort centre is perched on the cliff top above an enormous beach – two kilometres long and over 100 metres wide! Along the coastline, wind, sea and weather have sculpted the red and yellow sandstone into weird and wonderful shapes, and giant cliffs and outcrops are eroded into caves, tunnels and arches. Many of the rock formations have imaginative names, and they provide some shade from the midday sun. Beyond the main beach to the west, idyllic, sandy coves are tucked under the cliffs, separated by jagged, craggy outcrops. Facilities on the beach are excellent. Just inland from the clifftop, the shady promenade is busy with diners, walkers and holidaymakers enjoying themselves. It starts at the Fortress of Santa Catalina, a 16th century fort once built to defend Portimao, but now home to an al fresco café with impressive sea views. And the views of the coast are just as fine from the Miradouro at the other end of the promenade.

Poor location for walking. Taxis were very hard to come by, from 7pm. Buses seemed non existant.

Just got back having spent 7 days at this Hotel. This is not a 4 star hotel, I think 2 stars is about right. Hotel staff (bar staff, waitresses) were really miserable and never smiled, seemed like they did'nt want to be there. (first choice staff were excellent though) Overall clenliness was poor, pool area littered with drinks cups. Some of the decor in the main block 1 was shabby. Food was pretty poor to be honest, and seemed repetative (if you like burgers and chips you will love it) We went into the strip a few times for evening meals, but Taxis seemed to be a problem, getting there the hotel would phone for a taxi, but charged you 50 cents for doing it (a 4 star hotel would'nt do that ??) The entertainment venue was very cramped and ques for drinks with only 1 person serving. Entertainment for the kids was good, but being stuck in a small room (inside) were it had been in the 90's all day, was a little warm to say the least. I have been to other Holiday Village resorts (costa del sol and Majorca) 5 times, and this one in the Algarve is not in there leauge. Overall, not very impressed at all.

great resort. great bars. very friendly people.good food.what more can i ask for. only one complaint those hills take it out on your legs however lets not interfere with nature .Maybe a oneday coach trip to a neighbouring town would enable to see a bit more of the Algarve

We love this place and come here a couple of times a year. We have always used Thomsons but never again.

You will love it. Lovely beach, good night lofe and plenty places to eat. Go to big Taffys quiz, its a great night.

During our stay we spent quite a lot of time in funchal visiting the local market which was a fasinating experience trying all the differrent local fruits which locals are always welcoming you to try as you walk round. Monte gardens via cable car was an exellence thing to do and very pretty too. local wine tasting tour was also great. Lots to do and explore here!

We walked to the beach on a cople of ocassions, but as I am not a fan of sand it did not matter too much to me.

Sleepy little place, fantastic to get away from it all. There are enough restaurants and bars to cater for most people considering how small the town is. Plenty of older tourists and friendly locals.

The location was beautiful and there were loads of things to do. The prices were reasonable and the food in the restaurants was very delicious. I cannot wait for our return trip there.

not so touristy as other places in the Algarve which can be an advantage. No large discos, but a rather ample selection of small pubs and great restaurants. I would recommend a specific restaurant called "The Ciclist", great food and great prices.

Its not a resort - You need to get in a taxi to find one of them. Balaia is more known for it Golf Village and when asked where I went I describe it as the Golf Village.