Reviews of Tivoli Almansor Hotel, Carvoeiro, Portugal

Review of Tivoli Almansor in Carvoeiro

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

kellyadamson

Comments:

My partner and I visited Carvoeiro in September 2008. We are usually apprehensive about what hotels will be like without prior experience but the Tivoli Almansor hotel was a very pleasant surprise. The hotel is in a beautiful spot right on the sea about 10-15 mins easy walk away from the centre of Carvoeiro. The walk to the centre is down a main well light road. The hotel is very peaceful and is incredibly relaxing through the day with fabulous views. There are plenty of walks along the cliffs for those who like walking. Some of the rooms in the hotel have the possibility of being noisy as there is live music in the bar each night, so make sure you ask for a room away from the bar and dining room. The breakfast in the hotel is a buffet with plenty of choice and is served until 10:30am.

Carvoeiro is a medium sized village with an abundance of restaurants and bars. It's not a lively place for mad all night drinking but there is plenty of nightlife to be sampled. There are plenty of restaurants and the food is lovely and very reasonable. There is lots of seafood here but as someone who isn't a fan of seafood there was loads more choice for me. Some restaurants are:
Restaurant O Patio - Near small beach in centre of Carvoeiro. Slightly expensive for what it is, although food was fine.
A Galeria - Half way down the main road between the hotel and the centre of Carvoeiro. Was busy and sevice was slow but food was very nice.
Villa Medici - Service was excellent and food was lovely. Good atmosphere, definetly recommended
A Lanterna Velha - Half way down the main road between hotel and Carvoeiro. Food was very very good here and the service was excellent. Very good value for money too.
Via Italia - Up a side road near the bottom of the hill. A good find, food was one of the best meals we had on our holiday. Slightly more expensive than other restaurants but well worth it.
Ele E Ela - restaurant just off the square at the bottom of the hill. Best restaurant in Carvoeiro by far. Gets very busy so go early or late or book in advance. Well worth a visit.
This holiday was supposed to be a relaxing and re-energising holiday for me and my partner and it worked out perfectly. I would recommend this hotel and this resort to anyone looking for a relaxing peaceful holiday.

Wonderful hotel set in...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs S Cowan

Comments:

Wonderful hotel set in magnificent location. Large, airy, spacious rooms with stunning views of both the pool and the beach.



Excellent breakfast buffet, evening buffet on the terrace was a little better than by the pool. Delicious and imaginative deserts every day!



Responsible and capable young people in charge of kids club - the children had a great time!



Lovely atmosphere in the hotel, friendly staff and good value - we will be back!

Hotel was in an excellent area,...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2007

Tour Operator:

seguro

Submitted By:

Mrs M Davidson

Comments:

Hotel was in an excellent area, a bit hilly, but we love walking.



We were bed and breakfast. The room was a sea view, absolutely brilliant waking up and looking out onto the sea.



Breakfast was buffet style - again excellent - you could eat as much as you want. After breakfast we always walked into town, a lovely array of shops.



Lots of eating places, at night my friend and I always ate at the Vimar Grill. Meals outstanding, staff so helpful and friendly. Later in the evenings we went back to the hotel, where there was always entertainment.



All in all a great holiday in a superb hotel and a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. I would most certainly be back.

I looked at some reviews of this...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2007

Tour Operator:

Other- Please Specify

Submitted By:

Miss M S

Comments:

I looked at some reviews of this hotel before I went. Not expecting much but when I got there we were blown away. The people who gave bad reviews must have stayed in a different hotel, or they just like to moan.



I had no complaints for this hotel what so ever. It was fantastic; the night life wasn’t far if you wanted it. The village was 10 minute walk away, with plenty of restaurants to eat at. Car hire available from the hotel or some businesses in the town.



The beach was lovely, it was small and secluded by the cliffs either side with the houses on each side. It was beautiful the village was truly picturesque and very un-spoilt. The Staff at the hotel were very friendly and helpful you could always have a laugh and a joke with them, the pool side was immaculate and was nice and quiet, looking at the pool and the sea when your sunbathing it lovely, then you get the old pirates boat (that is a trip I went on) tooting his horn.



The choices of food were lovely, breakfast I ate so much. Omeletes and waffles cooked on order, toast, and cold meat, cooked breakfast anything you would want for breakfast, a buffet for dinner as we were half board, but I enjoyed every minute of it. I ate food I normally wouldn’t touch, and it was delicious!



Waiters always there to clear your table and help you, free complimentary champagne one night.



My room was cleaned everyday, the maids were very friendly. Even though the rooms were pretty standard I didn’t mind, all I was doing was sleeping in it. You don’t go on holiday to stay in there much. But it was comfortable enough, in fact I didn’t want to get out of bed because it was so comfy; watching gmtv in the mornings while I got ready was lovely. Although I do recommend you bring your own hair dryer if you have long hair…it takes a while.



I didn’t have a sea view but I didn’t mind, the view we had was over some hills which was lovely.



Overall I loved this hotel, I loved every minute, I've already booked for next march and I can’t wait I'm counting down the days already!



I would recommend it to anyone!

Overall excellent value for...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2006

Tour Operator:

Seguro Holidays

Submitted By:

M Marron

Comments:

Overall excellent value for money. Thought the hotel was very good. Excellent room overlooking the bay.



Staff very friendly and helpful. Buffet Breakfast provided good choice. 20 minute stroll into town but all roads and paths steep if you have any walking difficulties. Plentiful supply of taxis in town square if needed. We had a car which allowed us to visit other parts of the Algarve but public transport limited (Need to change in Lagoa (5km away if using bus).



Good choice of restaurants with reasonably varied menus in the village. Village still unspoiled.

We thought the hotel was very...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

Segur Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs J A Sherwood

Comments:

We thought the hotel was very good. Our room was cleaned every day and clean sheets and towels were always provided.



The breakfast was a buffet style and there was always a good selection. We did not eat in the restaurant in the evenings as there was a very good selection of restaurants in the town.



If you get the chance visit Tom Simgelo, wine bar in the main street service is second to none, the most genuine and friendly person we met.

Paid over £600 each for 7 days...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mr F Wright

Comments:

Paid over £600 each for 7 days B&B - hotel half empty - they gave us a terrible room - we complained - they did nothing.



We sat by the pool each day looking at empty available rooms with great views - poor management lacking any imagination - disgruntled clients do not return or recommend hotels to others.



Take your money elsewhere. This hotel is not value for money at any price!

Hugely overpriced 4star hotel -...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2004

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Select T Clark

Comments:

Hugely overpriced 4star hotel - in urgent need of modernisation and improved customer care.


Hotel rooms are tired - cracked tiles in bathroom - noisy air conditioning or open windows to barking dogs all night. Breakfast in underground bunker.

Would not recommend or even think about returning.

After reading some pretty...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2004

Tour Operator:

Cosmos

Submitted By:

Mrs Draper

Comments:

After reading some pretty negative reviews of this hotel we were somewhat apprehensive. However we were in for a pleasant surprise. First impression of the room was that it was pretty standard, nothing special, but then I don’t go on holiday to stay in my room! We didn’t have dinner at the hotel preferring to venture out to the town - and yes, I know it’s a 15 minute walk and uphill on the way back - but this 50-something didn’t have a problem with it and we usually went down to Carvoeiro twice a day.



We enjoyed the poolside cafe for lunch some days and on others, just had a sandwich from the kiosk. For dinner our favourite restaurants were Jota-Lita - both the food and the entertainment provided by exceptionally friendly staff - and a Chinese next to Jota-Lita, which I can’t remember the name of. We also went to a pizza place where a girl who was a look-alike for Candice out of Corrie handed out samples outside the restaurant. Breakfast in the hotel was good - there was a reasonable choice of hot food including fresh omelettes made to your order, cold meat, fruit, breads, cereal, juices, etc, the only gripes I would have were the queues for the toaster, and hot drinks being from a machine.



For excursions we went to Loule where there are several markets, which was enjoyable though rather a lot of walking needed, and a lovely boat trip which went from Portimao right up the coast looking into a lot of the caves and grottoes and stopping for swimming from the boat. For both of these excursions we were collected and dropped off at the hotel.



OK, this hotel isn’t one of the cheapest but we certainly thought the service and ambience was worth it as far as we were concerned.

Hotel was very good 4* although...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2004

Tour Operator:

expedia

Submitted By:

Mrs F Riley

Comments:

Hotel was very good 4* although if you ask for a view over land that’s what you get! The car park in our case.



Has secluded private beach reached by steep steps, pool area crowded with kids even though we went outside school holidays, but you can sit in the garden area where there is a cool breeze.



Not a lot to do nearby but restaurants and bars within 10 minutes walking distance. OK for a week of rest and relaxation but not much else to do/see unless you hire a car.



Local’s friendly, hotel was spotless and breakfast excellent.