Old Village Apartments

12 readers found this review helpful

Just got back from a week in The Old Village and can't wait to rebook to go back next year.
This was our second time and didnt want to come home.
Our appartment had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, very spacious kitchen with all mod cons even washing machine and iron and board,nice sized living area .
We found everything to be clean and tidy and was surprised it was only rated 2 star by Thomas Cook.
The garden areas are beautiful and well kept and great for lounging on.
The pools are great for kids and adults and although it was 1.50 euro per sunbed per half day they were fairly quiet and value for money.
There were plenty of restaurants on the complex all with great food ranging from snacks to full course meals.
Some areas of the complex can experience some night time noise from the local bars but this does stop on the curfew time of 11.00pm but generally we found it peaceful and quiet.
It is only about a 20minute stroll down to the marina were there are plenty of shops/bars/restaurants and the beach but if you wanted to you could stay on the complex and not be disappointed.
Taxis are cheap and for the kids a regular little train can take you to and from the marina.
Prices are about the same as in England so not particularly cheap but hey so is most of Europe nowdays.
If looking for a bargain the market at Quaterra is huge.
Loads of golf courses for golfers.
Great for families (we have a 6 yr old who loved it).
Great for couples.
Highly recommended for all!!!!

1 reader found this review helpful

This was the first time that we have stayed at the old village, although the 3rd visit to portugal. We were very disappointed with the standard of accommdation which was very basic the furnishings are badly in need of an update. Although there were four of us we only had one couch and one chair plus a bean bag to sit on. The roof terrace furniture had seen better days, absolutely filthy. There is also a charge of 1.50 euros for the morning and 1.50 euros for the afternoon for the sun loungers around the pool, which is quite expensive when there are four people to pay for. Also the mini train that takes you to the marina from the old village is 5 euros each!! The old village itself is Immaculate and is also very beautiful, the staff were friendly. If you are looking to hire a car it can work out cheaper to book one through the independent operators in the marina. We hired a car this way and were able to get it 70 euros cheaper than booking through the old village.

1 reader found this review helpful

The Old Village is a beautiful setting for a high quality location, even though you wouldn't necessarily know that you were in Portugal. The grounds of the Old Village (in fact virtually all Vilamoura) were spotless and well kept & maintained - I don't think I've been to a cleaner resort in Southern Europe. Shelly who managed the Apartments was charm personified. However, firstly you had to know all your questions up front as there was no information to hand. Secondly beware the beds - they were absolutely appauling and spoilt the holiday somewhat. For such a beautiful location, the beds were awful and a main topic of conversation amongst holiday makers (that and the stupid charges to rent a sun lounger at any of the three pools). Not only this but we were surprised to find that the room would only be cleaned 3 times in 7 nights and were horrified when they "forgot" to clean it for the last time leaving us late at night with wet (sandpaper) towels and no toilet roll - Only having our room cleaned twice in a week was unacceptable.
We felt that too many corners were being cut at our expense. You MUST insist upon a cleaning routine that suits YOU, not them and if they say they will clean the room the day before you leave - don't be surprised if they don't - we were caught out and as the office didn't open till after we left, we had no form of redress.
The resort of Vilamoura is very clean, but it comes at a price - literally. Also if you think you save money by going to smaller restaurants in the back streets - think again - we were horribly ripped off in a restaurant in the Cinema complex (on the way down to the Marina) - whatever you do, walk straight past - you'll end up paying more there than around the Marina - poor food and massively overcharged. Stick to the marina area to guarantee quality. There were some good restaurants further back from the marina, but pick carefully.
If you want to experience the real Portugal, Vilamoura is NOT the place, you could be anywhere in southern Europe - the Portugese seem to avoid it and settle for the most honest and pleasant Quateira (a 30 min walk from the old village)- a bustling resort devoid of the "fish& chip" brigade - thankfully. Here we were amongst the Portugese and it had GENUINE atmosphere and reasonable prices. We were sometimes the only Englsih speakers but were made very welcome. Quateira is not for xenophobes.
In summary, I would only recommend the apartments if the beds were sorted and the cleaning regime sorted too. I received no response from Shelly regarding the issues I raised and can only assume that once out of site, you'll indeed be out of mind. If you're prepared to have beds you can't sleep in and infrequent cleaning then go for it - the location is lovely - its just that the devil is in the small (but important) details.
I would recommend the resort if you're not particularly interested in a holiday in Portugal but want a clean tidy resort full of tourists and not locals and you want to pay higher than average prices.

3 readers found this review helpful

Me and my boyfriend stayed here for a week and it was fantastic! We originally booked a studio but when we arrived were given a two bedroomed aparment with two balconies and a roof terrace all to ourselves. We were situated right in the centre above the jazz cafe. Being above the cafe which was open to 1am in the morning it was slighly noisy but not enough to keep us awake.
Their was a choice of three pools, you do have to pay a deposit of 20 euros to gain access to the pools but you recieve this back at the end of the holiday. You do also have to pay for your sun loungers morning and afternoon but that wasnt a problem for us as often we would be in the marina(10 min walk), or on excursions and would only either spend half day at the pool.
The choice of excursions is great, the old village arranged for us to go on a jeep safari, which was a full day dinner included travelling in the mountains making various stops tasting their local shots, seeing the baskets being handmade, learning about the culture and the guys driving the jeeps kept us thoroughly entertained all day!
The apartment was clean and had everything we needed. Would highly reccomend to anyone, note though the beach is a little bit of a distance so would reccomend either getting the train which stops once an hour in the old village.

1 reader found this review helpful

This was our second time at the old village and there will be a third time the is the best holidays so far. The restrants at the village are great and only 10 min walk from the marina. The room are very clean and the village it's self

3 readers found this review helpful

We have been to the Old Village on 3 occassions over the last number of years with our young son and then both our young children. It is by far one of the best family friendly places we have stayed. As a Travel Agent and having stayed in many apartments and complexs this is my favourite. The choice of restaurants side are wonderful, the staff are amazing and remember us and our children year after year. The complex is safe for the children and each apartment we have stayed in has been immaculate. I am already looking for next year as we have been to Lanzatote and Mijas for a change but we keep coming back to the Old Village.

2 readers found this review helpful

Just returned from Our 2nd holiday to the Old Village. On arrival we were given an upgrade on Our accommodation to a huge 1 bedroom apartment with a large roof terrace with amazing sea views (we had originally booked a studio). The room was well furnished and very clean. towels were changed 5 x weekly and bedding 3 x weekly. The staff were as friendly and as helpful as the previous year. We also hired a car for 11 days from the Budget car rental service at the complex and had this upgraded at no extra cost . We would not hestiate to return again next year for another relaxing holiday.

2 readers found this review helpful

me and my girlfriend came here we paid £180 for one week this was one off the best holidays we have had. nice and clean rooms friendly staff could not of asked for more coming back next april for two weeks i would not recconmend these aprtments for people with walking problems

the holiday started out well with the flights been on time and getting picked up from the airport. Great to share a mini-bus with just 1 other family, does'nt help when you get dropped off 300 metres away from the offical reception (in the baking mid afternoon sun) and then waiting to be booked in with the receptionist to be told that we had to go to the other reception. Please make sure if you are booking a studio then book with a balcony otherwise you will be put in a dump that we were put in.
The rooms were cleaned twice in one week with no clean bed linen. Bit of a shock to discover that you also have to pay for your sun beds 1.5 euros morning and afternoon.
if you eat at the cafe' at the square please beware that when you think you are getting the bread and nut mix at the begining of the meal free, it comes back to haunt you when you have to pay for them when you recieve your bill.
The best resturant is the o bar which is very reasonable. On a positive note the supermarket is well stocked,the pools are very clean and you must visit the public beach next to the marina. Would'nt book with thomas cook as when we complained the rep never bothered comming back as he only worked 3 days a week from this complex.

1 reader found this review helpful

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the old village, I went there were a relaxing stress free week which was exactly what I got! Studio was lovely, ground floor, really well set out. I am in my early 20s and went with my mum who's in her fifties and we were both equally impressed. The nightlife is a bit samey in Vilamoura, so we focussed on going out for a nice meal- great chinese and indian resturants on the front!