Vila Rosa Hotel

Just spent 10 days at Villa Rosa self catering apartment. Room very basic no electric kettle, this one was dirty and boiled only from the four ring cooker. Toaster looked about 100 years old and unsafe to use, the casing for the iron was cracked and should have been binned, the room soon stank when we opened the hall cupboard from the filthy mop, the fridge took all night to chill drinks a complete waste of time.
The apartments are a big attraction for the portuguese holiday-maker therefore entertainment was geared toward them. the pool was boring the kids where not allowed to use there small boat that we had purchased there , no pool games also a much older group of retired people made the pool area not very child friendly. The beds where horrendously uncomfortable, The pool bar was expensive, the mini market prices where a joke.
The resort of pria de rocha itself was boring and not foe kids no family bars loads of drunk louts the main strip was tacky with very overpriced shops and some overpriced restaurants. We where horrified to be offered drugs whilst the kids where with us
May of its restaurants are a rip of particularly the classic with a very loud english guy trying to get you inside. The food was disgusting part cooked and expensive
avoid claires diner we asked for ketchup and we where told "if i have time to get it for you".
This resort is in need of some repair it is not family friendly compaired to albuferia, and forget portamio shopping this is just a few expensive boutiques not the grand area that is is described as
all in all a huge dissappointment.

Well, we read a number of comments about the Vila Rosa apartments and decided to go with an open mind as it was a last minute get-away! Firstly, the dogs aren't really a problem, they occasionally join in for a woofing chorus but it's over in minutes.
As for the apartments... the twin beds didn't make for a romantic trip and they were the most uncomfortable things we've ever slept on! You could feel every spring and lets not mention the smell! The pillows were made of small bits of foam and didn't make for a decent nights sleep... I won't even mention the smell of those! We think the beds were full of bugs as we spent most nights scratching... it's also nice being able to hear the neighbours use the toilets whilst you're trying to sleep!
On a positive note... the bathroom was clean and there was plenty of hot water (with a short wait between uses!) but it would have been nice to have somewhere to put the shower head!
Now for the kitchen... if you are going to book these self catering apartments then please take everything you may need to cook, and that includes a microwave! There's a 4 ring hob but no grill, no cooker, no microwave and only a melted toaster for company! There was a small fridge but the wine had to spend a spell in the freezer to chill! There is one small chopping board and a few blunt knives... we ate out!
As for the living area... there was a small TV with four Portugese channels and no sign of any satelite as advertised! There was indeed a sofa bed... and guess what... it smelt so strongly of stale vomit we had to move the other two chairs away from it for fear of it causing us to add to the smell! There was a small balcony which we spent most of our afternoons... away from the smell of vomit!
As for the swimming pool then it was okay and we never had a problem getting a lounger! The real treat for us was the loud Brits sporting football shirts and dominating the pool (which was freezing at the best of times!)... an added bonus was the playing of live football matches in the bar... we didn't drink there! To fit in you need tattoo's, earrings and only wear football strips (and that's just the women!)... not being snobs but we just wanted to get away from typical brits!
The resort of Praia de Rocha was not what we expected or how it was described on the website... it was full of bars competing with each other as to who could play the football the loudest (mainly Irish)... and lots of tat shops! Nothing to do unless you like watching football and drinking beer! We did eat at the new Cafe del Mar which was a dream, wonderful and food and views over the sea.
Finally... we can't end this without mentioning Mark, the club rep! What a treat he was! His welcome speech was more a sales pitch for his marked up trips (please note they're cheaper to book in town!) and half way through he got all our attentions back by making an inappropiate racial/gay joke! Ooh when he did ask us about our accommodation and we stated it wasn't as we'd expected, he showed his caring side but saying "not the usual 5 star luxury you're used to??" and walked off... hence we put up with the awful beds, bad smells and useless kitchen... You have been warned!

Lovely clean apartment, friendly helpful staff, fantastic pool and location was fab. I found the apartments and surrounds very peaceful and relaxing, no noise from any dogs as I have been reading on other reviews. Pool area was very quiet when I was there. The resort is nice, some good restaurants and bars, although not much shopping however there are some decent shops in Portimao just a short taxi ride away.

As our holiday was pretty much in the peak season, we had a great time. Vila Rosa apartments and the surrounding gardens are pretty and highly maintained. The pull-out bed was ideal for our small son. The kitchen was well equipped too. Both the pool areas were spotless and and safe although the smaller pool on the other side of the complex is not really for the younger swimmer. We found that there were not enough sun loungers, and towel reservations were rife! This was especially annoying as 'guests' may not have used them until late in the afternoon and this was not monitored by the staff. Many local Portuguese who were not guests used the facilities during our stay.The walk to the main resort beach was no trouble at all, as long as you are aware of the traffic. Be aware that charges for beach loungers were 10 euros a day. So go and buy a parasol for about 7 euros! The main road at the back of the apartments was busy just about 24 hours a day and very noisy at night, early morning. Overall we found the accommodation and the resort a great place for our holiday, must also note that the Portuguese Night at Silves was brilliant and well organised.

1 reader found this review helpful

Booked at short notice with Hannah at Thomas Cook Margate who was soooo very helpful. Flight with Thomas Cook excellent, transfer confortable and went smoothly either end, accommodation first class, maid service fantastic, facilities very well maintained, staff all very friendly and helpful, can't wait to go back.
Beach and shops are about 20 minutes walk away, as expected beaches were beautiful, weather nice and hot, plenty of variety of decent bars and restaurants.
Had fabulous time - booking again for October 08 and for May next year, can't wait!

Well this is the third time we have been hear. the first week was great . the staff were very helpful as always the pool was great and the room was spotless . BUT a gang of welsh footballers turned up and ruined the second week and not just mine but most of the people staying there . i thought this was a family friendly place ?. and the barking dogs is getting worse. plus the gypsie problem is getting bad on the main strip . 3 years ago i was harrased to buy smokes now its sex and charlie and one lovely man follows you up the street selling what i think is a copper neckless . my rating is a 4 and thats only for the staffbut not the rep. on the last few days we spoke to mark the rep about the noise and the bell ringing at 5 in the morning waking my 2 kids and he said well they deserve a holiday as well. meaning the idiots @ i was there when simon was running the kids clubs and my kids loved them so stop beating on him he was a good rep.

The rooms are huge. Plenty of space in living room. Rooms are nice and clean.
Entertainment on every night at pool bar and the food from there is fab.
Swimming pool is ideal with separate kids pool and there are plenty sun loungers. The shop on site is a bit expensive.
It is a 15 min walk to the beach but it is worth it. The best beach we have been to. The beach has walk ways all the way along the sand.
The onl thing i can fault is the noise of dogs barking from near by housing.

1 reader found this review helpful

We went to the Vila Rosa in June 2007, we paid a reasonable price so expected reasonable accomodation. When we arrived we were pleasantly surprised! The grounds of the hotel are lovely and our room was very spacious and had everything we needed! Our 3 yr old was on a fold out bed which suited him very well.
All the staff there are very friendly and always happy to help! Towels and rooms cleaned and replaced every other day. The only thing we were unhappy with was the entertainment it started a bit late for the kids, 8-30 - 9 pm, by this point they're a bit tired so not very practical.
There is a mini-market on site for essentials but for anything else there is a larger supermarket about a 10 min walk away. The beach is about a 15 min walk, bear in mind there are a few steps down to get there so not too practical with a buggy but it's worth it when you get there! The beaches are gorgeous! All in all had a great time and would highly recommend it!

My second visit to the villa rosa, the accommodation is very clean, fantastic staff especially Carlos and Senna, these two deserve a medal for all the hard work they do, they were always very polite and nothing was to much trouble for them.
We will most definitely be going back again ,you really need at least 2 weeks at this beautiful place. The down side to the holiday were the reps we found Simon very annoying, too loud in fact most of the visitors complained about him. I wonder if that’s why he got dunked in the pool