Colina Village

5 readers found this review helpful

Had a great stay here, went with my hubby and 2 girls 10 and 13. A most relaxed holiday away. We got a taxi from the airport costing 63 euros it took 45 mins, you can organise transport as we did to come home costing only 45 euros. On arrival at The colina village we were greeted by the friendly reception staff, our apartment was very spacious and in a pleasant location, a little bit dated in the lounge area but all the same it was clean, towels changed every day, cleaning of rooms a little bit to be desired, hit n miss. Air con was great especially as it was so hot. The surrounding gardens were kept lovely and clean as was the whole of the village. All staff on site were friendly and helpful most could speak english very few couldn't. The shop on site very small with very little stock, get a taxi to the supermarket 5 euros, this can be booked at the reception, get stocked up, the supermarket will then book you one back. Well worth it. The staff in the pool bar were fantastic, very friendly and sociable, good choice on menu for snacks and meals and all food we had was lovely, no complaints. Indoor pool and outdoor are brilliant even the childrens pool. The pool area did need cleaning in the evening which was not done at all during our 2 week stay. (a let down) The childrens play area needed updating not very safe, especially for little ones. The courtesy bus runs in to town 4 times a day 10am 12noon 2pm and 5pm and also brings you back, although it only cost 5 euros in a taxi. You would find it difficult to walk in to town due to lack of pavements and lighting in the evening. There are some lovely places to eat out, and we tried quite a few, our favourite Casa Algarvia then for ice cream n pancakes at Gelados...
If you turn left out of The colina village there is a nice place to eat with rides and games for the children, not 2 mins away, not open on Sundays.
We had a fab time, we really enjoyed our stay there and although we dont often return to places we have visited before we are thinking about it, what a chilled out holiday...

12 readers found this review helpful

My wife and I have just spent two weeks enjoying chilling out in the lovely Algarve, and we have nothing but praise for the Colina Village. The complex was well designed and maintained, and the facilities were good. The apartment was spacious and clean, with basic soft furnishings, and had all the facilities we needed (although a double bed would have been preferable to the two single beds!)
The restaurant and bar overlooked the outdoor swimming pool, and there was also an indoor pool (useful for when the weather was hot, and would have been useful for cooler weather) The food was very good. The staff were very friendly, and could not have been more helpful.
There was entertainment put on twice a week - a guitar player/vocalist and a keyboard player/vocalist - who were very good.
The village was within walking distance of several lovely beaches, but a courtesy bus to Carvoeiro was provided. We would recommend hiring a car, at least for part of the holiday, which we did, and the two coach trips we went on were good.

5 readers found this review helpful

just back from a week at colina village..def couldnt fault the apts,.very spacey ,plenty room in the apts,even a seperate kitchen,and the air con a blessing!!
we went with 3 young children and they had a ball, the kiddie pool was excellent,the playground was ok,the maid service was excellent also,came every day and changed towels,swept and made the beds.the only downside is if u have small kids is the u are a little bit away from the beach and shops,.about 10 mins in a taxi ,which costs 5 euros. the mini market is very small and not alot in it, but my advice is to get a taxi to the supermarket,reception will do this, and you can stock up on all you need there pretty cheaply in comparision.thats thwe only downsides..other than that we def enjoyed the week and are planning to go back again soon..well worth it!

3 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned from a week's holiday in the Colina Village Apartments in Carvoeiro. We had a fantastic week, the complex is immaculate - as are the apartments. They are also very spacious and well kept. Towels were replaced nearly every day.
A couple of negatives were that towels were always on the sunbeds at the crack of dawn with no one led on them for part of the day. The on site shop is very small and limited. The apartments are quite a way out of the town and beach (not walkable) - although taxis are 5 euros each way and there is a courtesy bus from the apartment 3 times a day.
Food was superb - we had two exceptionally nice meals in Poco Partido which is just a short walk down the hill. We did not eat in the on site restaurant although it did look very nice.
We would recommend it to anyone thinking of going - excellent holiday !!!

3 readers found this review helpful

we had excellent week in March. Hired bikes locally and cycled every where. Supermarket 10 mins on a bike. Appartment very clean and cleaners in every day, kitchen bit basic but able to cook with all local ingredients. complex very quiet which suited us , most facilities were not open but not a problem. Staff in reception very friendly.
Highly recomended for a winter break, hire car essential for the less actively minded!

1 reader found this review helpful

just returned from colina, we stayed in a 3t apartment which was a good size for our party but not very clean its says u have cleaners 6 days a week ours come twice in the week and she flicked around it. the walk into cavoeiro its self is a fair bit away and i wouil not have walked my family there and they are 16 and 21 as they drive like racing drivers over there and not much of a pavement.the town its self has some good eating places the chinese at the top of the hill was gud china town very cheap we had to get taxis to town every nite and to the supermarket as the road did not feel to safe to walk.they really should put a courtesy bus on to the supermarket as the shop on site is the size of postage stamp . the site was clean and the staff were really nice could not fault them.pool was well maintained but when we got up in the mornings to go by the pool there was still rubbish from the day before i would not go back to colina to far way from everywhere and it took the bus 2hours 20 min from the airport not 45 min as quoted it took longer than the flight to get there

2 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned from our annual two week foreign holiday.We stayed at this Apartment complex in a 2 bedroomed property.
The complex is about 2k from the town of Carvoeiro.
Apartments
Are very well designed and pleasing.They are set in lovely well attended gardens.
The living room actually feels like a living room,it is spacious with a high head-room.
The bedrooms too are of a good size with good wardrobe space.The beds themselves could be more comfortable.The bathroom is adequate and divides one bedroom from another.
The kitchen is a good size and has everytrhing you need,apart from points - there was just the one and that can make life difficult, kettle or toaster.
Facilities
Great indoor pool,large outside pool and kids pool.Poolside bar - pricey for snacks - restaurant excellent cooking but expensive - small shop very expensive.
Internet access in reception.
A mini bus is provided at 10.00,14.00 and 17.00 free
Entertainment
three times weekly, singers,pretty good but not my cup of tea.No kids club
Staff
Without exception are all cheerful and helpful from reception to bar.
Summary
good points - setting,apartments,pools and staff.
Downside - Location,location.It's not an easy walk to Carvoeiro it's pretty hilly,it's either that ,a 5 euro taxi ride or an early evening trip.And this is the problem.It's ok on cooler nights or for fairly healthy persons but people with fitness, mobility or with youngsters will find it difficult.Most people ordered taxi's and this adds 10 euro's a night to your budget.It also means that the services can be hiked up on captive audiences,because theres nothing in the immediate vicinity to use as an alternative or see/do apart from the large - and very good - Intermarche supermarket on the wat to Lagoa,best to go early while it's cool.
Carvoeiro
Your opinion of this resort will probably be dependent on the holiday you like.
It's not a fishing village - any semblance of that must have disappeared years ago- it's a bustling lively town,with three main streets joining up in the square by the town beach,from quite steep approaches.Nightlife is based on the bars and Restaurants.
We ate at a different restaurant every night,and had just two mediocre meals.
Some to remember were
Medina - fantastic Morrocan food
Anthony - at last some real Portugese cooking
Vimar - fantastic value for the quality
Nuno - great family food - outside town
Two restuarants to forget
the Chinese at the bottom of the hill and Galleria who's staff seemed confused,
Things we did
Splash and slide - probably expensive for what it is
Jeep safari - brilliant! expensive but worth it
"train" to ferraguda ok
gypsy market in quartera - interesting if you like shopping and browsing
sardines in portimao followed by river trip to Silves - good day out
Would I go again? probably not - as much as i liked CVA it was a little too out of the way, CVO looks to be heading the way the bigger resorts which is unfortunate because in many ways it has a lot going for it

2 readers found this review helpful

Returned from Algarve 24th May. 5 adults and a 2 year old girl. The 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom apartment was ideal for all our needs. The pools are all clean although very cold at this time of the year. The bar staff and restaurant staff are all top class, very polite and very proffessional. Carlos the juggling cocktail maker is good entertainment. We only ate in the restaurant once, the food was great but a little bit overpriced for a 3 star establishment. The bar prices were a little higher than in the town but not too bad, 3 euro for a pint, 2.5 for a glass of red wine or 9 for the bottle. We ate 4 times in a restaurant about 150yards to the left when leaving the complex, "POCO" something, Antonio and Pedro looked after us brilliantly, the fresh fish and Portuguese steak are brilliant, about 12 to 14 euros. "Palmeira" another good restaurant not too far away on Riu Cerrodo by a mini market, the owner was always polite and friendly, food very good and reasonably priced. We never had a bad meal in any of the restaurants in the town. Carvoeiro beach a good 20-25 minute walk from the apartments, so is Centiannes beach. A large "Intermarche" hypermarket is only a fifteen minute walk to the left from the apartments, turn right at the traffic lights. Sells everything from fresh fish to refrigerators. Cliff's wine for 7 euros. We loved the area and the relaxed manner of all the waiting staff in all the shops and restaurants etc. no pressure to buy anywhere.
Ideal complex for families who are prepared to walk about a bit if you miss the minibus.
ATM's in the town and at the hypermarket, no need to carry loads of money. Will go back again soon.

Just touched down after spending a week at Colina Village apartments. Our party of 5 including 3 kids had a 3 bed apartment with 3 bathrooms, kitchen and living room. All very spacious and very clean. Masses of space and storage. * plates are in the cabinet in the living room* found them on our pre departure check. Reception efficient and helpful. Pool area clean and tidy although the sun beds are in need of repair. Pool is cold but clean. Restaurant is ok, a little limited and pricey. Staff appear to be rushed but most are helpful and all speak English. Kids play area is in need of updating. Shop is pricey and not well stocked. The town is a fair distance to walk so we hired a car. 60 euros for 4 days, bargain. The beach is lovely if not a bit small, it is clean but the sea was freezing! The town is packed with shops and cafes a bit samey. Can recommend the restaurant Catz PJs if you have kids. Food is not cheap anywhere, we were paying anything from 40-50 Euros for lunch and 50 -70 Euros for dinner, which is quite alot on a daily basis. We were lucky with the weather, in the late 20s early 30s every day, sun cream is mega expensive out there. Spent one day at the slide and splash, a water park. Tickets bought from reception, the best price. A pricey day 90 Euros, but a day well spent and only a 5 minute drive from the apartments.
This was our first trip to Portugal and we were impressed with the weather, the people and the surroundings. If we went again would I stay at the Colina, yes.

We have just come back form a fantastic week in colina village, there was lots to do for the family, and a 10 min walk form the main village. The site was so, quiet but that is what we wanted hense we are really out of season. We booked a one bedroom apartment as wanting a cheapy break, panicked on arrival, so did ask about a two bedroom but after veiwing our one bed room with a sofa bed is was so big and spacious we did not bother. I really can't stress how big it was which included a large bathroom (incuding bath and shower and double sink loo and bidet) dining room table and large table in kitchen. Very well maintained inside and out, and daily maid service a real peaceful break for us and can only imagine it would be more lively which would also be good for then. Local lads on the footie courts were great and encouraged my young boy (13) to join them nightly. great holiday.