Reviews of Tivoli Lagos Hotel, Lagos, Portugal

We loved this hotel from the...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Miss C Ainscow

Comments:

We loved this hotel from the moment we arrived- other couples on the coach even commented to each other about how lovely it looked as when you arrive at the entrance you immediately see an impressive reception/lobby area with a beautiful staircase leading to the rest of the hotel. We were met by one of the staff who took our cases to our room and didn't even look like he expected a tip!! The hotel was very impressive- huge with long terracotta coridors leading to spacious rooms, a lovely restaurant where we ate breakfast every day and an elegant bar area. The hotel pool was lovely, clean and plenty of sunbeds for everyone even though we went at high season. The room was very clean with maid service every day and air conditioning. The only draw-back was that our balcony had huge stone walls although other rooms did have good views and as the hotel and resort are so good we didn't use the balcony much- it is also quite cool at night (which is refreshing after the heat in the day!) The breakfast is an all you can eat buffet which is the most impressive breakfast we've ever seen- choice of cereals, fruits, croissants, muffins, salads, cold meats and full english!!! The staff were friendly at the hotel and at the beach club which we visited regularly using the hotel's courtesy bus. It's well worth going to this section of the beach as it is much quieter than other sections of this very long beach on the resort. The resort itself was lovely- we would definitely recommend the restauants alongside the marina- we ate at one of the resturants there twice it was so lovely with superb food and wine. We didn't realise how much cheaper food and wine is in the Algarve than the rest of Europe- this was a pleasant surprise!! An excellent holiday- would recommend it to anyone!!

We have usually stayed in...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs F Kent

Comments:

We have usually stayed in apartments so this was our first holiday in a hotel abroad. We visited Lagos last summer and had liked the town. We chose the Tivoli because we wanted to be comfortable and we were.

We took advise from other reviews and booked a twin rather than a double room to gain space - we were very pleased with the room - bathroom - balcony. Our Room overlooked the turtle pool and garden but was close to the main hotel block. This meant it was very quiet.

The air conditioning was very good but we didn't need it on all of the time. We enjoyed the buffet breakfast - yes sometimes it was busy but there were always spare tables - platters were frequently filled. The fruit was delicious - I have to say I never bothered with a cooked breakfast.

The pool area and bar were clean and tidy - you could always get a table in the bar area - and generally a sun bed around the pool. It was often windy around the pool - fine if you don't want it to get too hot - but take the trip to the beach club if it bothers you. Loads of free sunbeds on the beach at the Dunas club. The sea was clean, cool and deepened very slowly. We found it peaceful - no Looky Looky men! The facilities were great - treat yourself to a pair of rattan beds with champagne or a massage!

We never used the bus but walked across the bridge and through the marina - a bit of a dusty trek - but you can paddle part of the way in the sea - and stop for a beer in the marina on the way back.

Loads of good places to eat - don't bother with O Artista at the bottom of the drive - awful! Do look beyond the main drag - Vino Il Divino - dinner on the roof terrace was fantastic - but remember your cardigan!

Only drawback to this holiday was the over 3 hour transfer from the airport on arrival!!!

The transfer bus turns onto a...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr P Bolwell

Comments:

The transfer bus turns onto a narrow street, with beautiful bougainvillea. This little street is part of the hotel. The bus stops and we walk into the smart and deliciously cool reception to be greeted very courteously.



The Hotel is quite large, one is tempted to say sprawling, but that would give the wrong impression. It has expanded horizontally rather than vertically which is good for Lagos.



Our, very sweet, porter carries our luggage a long way using three lifts and a flight of steps to reach our room. Following him we are impressed with the spacious and beautiful public areas and corridors.



Most of the rooms are in low rise blocks linked by lovely small scale landscaped areas. Our air conditioned double room is small but perfectly adequate with all the usual facilities – hairdryer, minibar, tea and coffee, shampoo and shower gel. The TV has some English channels. Commendably the room has a recycling waste bin with four colour coded compartments. We explore the balcony which is tiny, but again adequate, it has two plastic chairs. There is no table but we later use the stool from the bathroom for this. The view from the balcony might not suit everyone but we like it. We look onto a street of old terraced houses and a real life soap opera entertains us at times.



We unpack and then take a stroll through the hotel. The pool looks lovely and we find a garden with walkways flanked by pools, home to carp and terrapins.



The Hotel Lagos has three restaurants, on our first night we try the Italian restaurant and eat in a conservatory. The meal, both service and food, is very good. All the staff we meet are friendly and helpful. There is live entertainment every night so we sit and listen to the music for an hour.



Next morning we take the buffet breakfast and are overwhelmed by the fine choice of food.



We walk around Lagos, the centre is a short stroll away. We decide it’s a nice town. It has pedestrianised streets, a harbour, and marina. We reach the marina by a lifting pedestrian bridge over the river. Back in town the fish market is fascinating.



During the following days we find there is just enough variety of walks in and around town to keep us entertained for a week. There are many restaurants, which we think are good value. The Hotel has a club on the beach (at extra cost) which is served by a very regular free bus. It makes a pleasant morning to use this bus, walk back along the fine beach, and take the little ferry (50 cents) back across the river into town.



After a week we decide this has been a very good holiday. The hotel rooms are maybe a touch small, but that is a minor criticism. Thomson have served us well and the plane is on time both ways.

Upon our arrival, we were...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2006

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs R Rosenberg

Comments:

Upon our arrival, we were greeted with smiles by the reception staff. From then on, this very lovely hotel leaned over backwards to make our stay enjoyable. Tivoli is a very attractive hotel & although this is a big hotel, it does not appear impersonal or unfriendly.



Our room was so pretty, all in blue & white & our balcony view was onto a rustic woodland glade.



Breakfast was something to look forward to, with so much choice of everything, be it hot or cold, that you came out groaning & didn't even think about lunch. Although there were three restaurants in the hotel, we prefer to eat out in Lagos in the evenings, so I can't say what the hotel food was like.



During the second week of our stay, I unfortunately took ill so our return to the U.K. was postponed for a further 5 days. Even though we were aware that the hotel was to be just about fully booked, the management took all the stress away, letting us keep our room until I was well enough to fly home. Tivoli is certainly a hotel we will return to. Next time, we'd love to take all our family with us. We know our grandchildren would have a whale of a time as children were made very welcome.



Just one thing I would point out is that most all of Lagos is cobbled with tiny stones & we saw more than one person slip & fall.



All in all, I would recommend the Tivoli Lagos wholeheartedly.