Vila Gale Marina Hotel

9 readers found this review helpful

This has got to be one of the cleanest hotels I've ever been to - the maids work non-stop to keep the hotel and grounds clean. They attend to your room everyday (make the beds, change towels if necessary, empty bins etc).
It is in a lovely location, just a 2 minute walk to the marina (across the road literally). Most rooms have a view of the marina, although I would put in a request at time of booking for a good marina view. Some rooms on the lower floors probably can't see much - we were on the 6th floor and it was a lovely view. All the rooms have a pool view as they all face out the front.
We decided on bed and breakfast board which was perfect for us. There are plenty of places to eat around the marina (and lots of English choice) and we didn't think it was overly expensive. If you like Chinese I would recommend Harbour View Chinese Restaurant - we went there twice it was so good - and a lovely elevated position. Make sure you pick up one of their leaflets as you get your first drinks free! You will find lots of people handing out leaflets for the various outlets, most offer first drinks on the house.
There isn't a lot more I can say. It really was one of the best holidays I have ever been on, just a shame it went so quickly.
Oh just one tip, if you are planning on doing a lot of sightseeing it is probably worth hiring a car as the buses are quite expensive. It cost us about £14 to get to Albuferia and back which was about a 45 mins bus ride each way. Quartera is within walking distance, there is a market there every Wednesday which is apparently the biggest in the Algarve. Well worth a look.

3 readers found this review helpful

We had previously stayed at the Dom Pedro Golf but decided this time to stay closer to the Marina and chose the Vila Gale Marina (and it was cheaper!). The hotel was lovely - clean, modern and the breakfast was great!. The pool is a little small but you could always get sun beds. The staff were very friendly and very helpful. This is a great location as it is literally a street away from the marina - as we had been before we new the location would suit us.
The marina is lovely and great for couples and families - there are some fantastic restuaurants (especially if you like seafood). I would say that anyone who goes to Vilamoura tries the Mayflower restaurant as the food is fantastic and there is a lovely bar called the Matador bar which is great for happy hour drinks.
A lovely relaxing holiday and a great hotel.

1 reader found this review helpful

Spent 1 week at the Vila Gale Marina. Vilamoura is a lovely resort, with lots of great restaurants and little sign of it appealing to 'drunken yobs' who seem to be taking over so many other resorts. The hotel is clean and comfortable, but the reception staff need to be more welcoming. When I checked in the receptionist barely spoke to me and it was all she could do to tell me my room number. Every time I passed reception the staff there always looked uninterested.
The staff at breakfast were polite and efficient, the staff at the outside bar were friendly and the pool attendant did a great job at keeping everything clean and tidy, making sure that my sun umbrella was always in the right position as the sun moved. Our room was cleaned daily with fresh towels always provided. The was an aircon and small fridge in the room provided at no extra charge.
I was staying with my two boys aged 8 and 13. There is a small kids club for younger children and the entertainment staff did put on a few low key activities through the day for the kids, but seemed more interested in the Portugese children staying. When my youngest (who has special needs) hurt himself during an organised activity they simply ignored him. It was nothing serious, but I was annoyed that he had to come and find me alone and he was very distressed at being ignored.
In the evenings the hotel provided entertainment which was ok and the kids entertained themselves playing pool and table tennis, but I found it impossible to get served a drink sitting at a table in the bar area. Bar staff quickly approached couples and groups, but as a woman sitting alone I seemed to become invisible. I always had to go to the bar and ask to be served. The staff in local restaurants and cafes were always very attentive and welcoming of the children.
All in all I enjoyed my stay at the Vila Gale Marina and would consider going again despite the few minor grumbles. The kids certainly enjoyed it and want to go back.

just recently back from this hotel and really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere.
rooms are to a clean standard and reasonably comfortable, breakfasts are also good as they have a good english breakfast and also have wide variety of fruit, rolls, cereals and yoghurts. staff are also very friendly
p.s good lager

1 reader found this review helpful

We did expect more from the hotel. It was clean and good position, but staff lack advice and personality. Would have preferred an apartment hotel, looked at olympus and will book that next time.
Vilamoura is lovely resort, clean beaches, nice marina. The best place we were recommended to was a place called SHAKESPEARES which is under the olympus hotel. They have a great Elvis show on a tuesday and saturday, good prices all round for excellent food and drink-try the sunday roast. Worst place must have been RUI'S bar, we haven't been back to vilamoura for a long while, and RUI's bar has certainly had its best years, give it a miss. NIKKI BEACH has a lovely restaurant called LAKE-dont go on a windy night though-not cheap at about €40 a head, but good for a special night out. Dont venture far a night-time-the marina and outisde the Vila Gale and Olympus is ok, but 2 guests staying here were mugged near Dom Pedro golf hotel.
Would return though, as still one of the best relaxing times we've had

2 readers found this review helpful

I really loved Vilamoura and this hotel and definitely would return here. The location is perfect only a 1 minute walk to the marina and just a few minutes from the beach.
The hotel was lovely. The room was a good standard and clean, loses 1 point just because the balcony was quite overlooked! The pool area was great.
Breakfast was nice and a good range of food. Staff where friendly and happy to help. Try Figos bar on the marina really nice spot, friendly staff and value for money.

Stayed at this hotel for two weeks in June 2006. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived, reception was well decorated and the staff were friendly.
We had a problem with the drains being blocked in out rooms, but this was sorted out without any fuss and we were moved within the hour.
Overall, we had an enjoyable holiday and would definitely return.

When we arrived we were greeted well by reception staff. Room was very clean and well presented and remained so throughout the week. One bed was a camp bed when we expected three singles, but was comfortable enough.
Pool and surrounding area always kept clean and well presented. People still reserve sun loungers, even when it is against the rules! Bar staff are very friendly and service is quick and efficient. Breakfast is very good.
A wide range to choose from, with all needs well catered for. Staff are also fast to tidy tables. Fridge must be paid for (2.5 euros a day) when we felt it should be included.
Hotel is set in beautiful surroundings, with the marina a stones throw away and luxury boats all around. Many restaurants are around the marina, and are a great place to eat out. Most places are a bit on the expensive side.
Places just off the marina are slightly cheaper. Mini golf is not far away and kept to a very high standard. Also, Zoo Marine is a great day out with dolphin and sea lion shows for entertainment. Overall we had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday and would definitely recommend the resort to all ranges of people.

When we arrived the hotel receptionist did not great us with a welcome it was "I need your passports and holiday confirmation."
We were directed to our room which was on the forth floor. Fortunately we paid for a sea view - granted it was limited but we got the sun (for free!). Rooms on the opposite side of the building do not get the sun. I was disappointed in the cleanliness of the room particularly the bathroom and balcony. The bathroom was not cleaned to a high standard and the balcony floor was never washed during our stay.
Our room was OK although badly laid out. There is a notice in the room requesting guests not to hang towels or any other items over the balcony. As usual you get people doing just that. This just downgrades the hotel in my mind. The staff should clamp down on this procedure. The bathroom has facilities for hanging washing etc so it is not necessary to hang towels etc over the balcony. There is also a notice asking you not to reserve sun loungers. What a laugh! You can watch people from early morning booking their lounger, leaving it for an hour or more. Before returning.
Staff should clamp down on this, it is not necessary as there is enough loungers for everyone. Apart from one receptionist the staff was very nice, even when we forgot to pay for our drinks the first night at the bar.