Reviews of Vila Petra Apartments, Albufeira, Portugal

our holiday

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

mandyman

Comments:

Lovely hotel--very clean and well kept--2 bed apartment was fabulous, very spacious and well equipped--location suited us well--close to strip but not noisy or disturbed in any way- resort as expected,lots of bars and restaurants and gift shops--excursions over priced as usual,next time I'd book them myself--teenagers all happy,until it was time to come home!!--one warning,surface immediately at poolside like sandpaper and my son cut his hands!!--Staff?? Not the friendliest but not unpleasant-- Overall a good holiday with good accomodation and great weather. I would go back.

Very large apartment with fully...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Panorama

Submitted By:

Mr P O''Boyle

Comments:

Very large apartment with fully equipped kitchen. Comfortable lounges and bar area with entertainment every night. Great range of facilities such as outdoor and indoor pools, fitness centre, good restaurant and snack bar. All staff, from reception to cleaning to restaurant and bar staff were just perfect. Ideal location. Nice and quiet but just a short walk from the strip. Although the strip is mostly for the younger set there is a great variety of shops and bars for everyone. The 'old town' has great restaurants and is a €5 taxi ride away. The hotel staff will book the taxi for a nominal fee (50c). We will be back!!

After reading so many positive...

Overall Rating:

4/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs Bettina Southey

Comments:

After reading so many positive reviews i really thought i was on to a winner! When you check in you are reminded that the soiling of sheets will be charged, not the best welcome. Two bed apartment was indeed spacious but a rusty dishwasher,very dusty lampshades did not make up for that.Very little equipment actually worked the gym was useless tennis and table tennis old and tatty football table broken as was pool table.The manager walked around with a long face yelling at small children for playing ball on the grass.

What a great place, we really...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Ms N Ball

Comments:

What a great place, we really enjoyed our stay here and would certainly go back. The apartment was spacious and very well kept, the staff were friendly and helpful and the facilities are great. In our opinion David the barman just had the edge at making the cocktails - but all were very drinkable. It was still low season when we were there so lots of space to spread out and relax in the hotel and around the pool which was really well cared for as were all the grounds. We were in the second apartment block and it was so peacful and quite.

My only gripes were with the First choice rep, firstly when we were there it was independance day and the rep didn't mention anything about any events that may be on - we found out from the staff at the hotel. Also we booked a trip which was a river cruise - the hour and a half transfer took two hours and twenty minutes and then this trip which we had all been really looking forwad to wasn't at all what we had been lead to believe it was. The "enterainment" at the restaurant was very holiday camp from the 1960's - the birdy song - need I say more. However the complete opposite is the Jeep safari - absoultly fantastic, Chicken Jorge our driver was a mind of information - don't know how he knows it all - or apparently everyone.

We had a two bedroomed...

Overall Rating:

6/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jan 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs S Wilson

Comments:

We had a two bedroomed apartment, which was extremely spacious and well kept. (The whole premises were very clean and tidy at all times.) We had a cot supplied and ready upon arrival. Our room at the rear of property overlooking pool, which didnt receive any sun unfortunately (probabley due to time of year I guess). This was dissapointing as the rooms at the front enjoyed sunshine all day!

Reasonabley priced and stocked mini market on-site and useful laundrette too!

We travelled with family of mixed ages, and at this time of year found the accomdation to be too far out. A long way from the beach, a good walk to a bit of life. Quite hilly, as personally we enjoy a nice promenade to walk up and down. We spent a lot of money on taxis to nearby resort of Villamora (14-18 Euros each way), which we found more suitable for our needs. (Flat, plenty of shops and resturants open, pretty marina and lovely easily assesible beach.)

Getting back to the Villa Petra - the indoor pool was a diamond for us, as it enabled the kids to swim! Pool tables too, however very little else to entertain.

Limited hours of opening at Snack Bar - shuting as you get back from your days out (4pm in winter.) Pricey evening meals, not really ideal for larger families. Every night except Friday we were the only guests in bar. Felt quite lonely really! Probably not ideal for families in Winter in my opinion.

First Choice representation very good and attentive. 10/10 for the rep - lovely fella.

Reception staff, cleaners and waiters all very attentive and polite, no complaints there either.

In summary this is a well maintained accomodation, with generous sized rooms. I do not feel its ideal for families in low season, just too quiet and too far away from beach.

What a fabulous place!! Best...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

sun, sea and sand

Comments:

What a fabulous place!! Best Holiday ever. Hotel was perfect for a thirty something couple with no kids.



A really relaxed atmosphere with no rushing in the morning for a sunbed. Infact you could get one any time of day because our fellow guests followed the signs asking for beds not to be reserved.



Let’s face it Albufeira is a party resort and you don't want to be up at the crack of dawn.



Talking of which, great nights out were had, long meals sitting outside in the cool evenings. No bad meals except my partner had really tough meat at O Leos, but my fish was beautiful, I think he was just unlucky. Loved Silk restaurant next door though.



We visited the Indian Opposite Stones bar several times and although it was different it is the best Indian I've ever had abroad. If you like Chinese I recommend giving the big restaurant on the strip a swerve, there was nothing wrong with it but a bit impersonal, instead try the one a bit further down opposite the Kilt and Kelt Scottish bar. If you get a window seat you can watch your fellow holiday makers stagger out of there after too much holiday cheer.



We are not kids ourselves but if you like to dance and people watch the Garage Bar was fun, try a Big Dick cocktail. The Anchor Pub was a bit dirty and the toilets were disgusting, but there are so many bars to choose from so pick another. Although the night time is lively it's not too crazy and I always felt safe. For a nice drink, some music and a relaxing time go along to Stones or Bunnys bar (turn right away from the strip) where the drinks are cheaper and you get a full pint. The lads in Stones are lovely.



The beach was a bit far from the hotel to walk (and that hill is a killer, we are both regular gym goers and it was too steep for us) but the hotel provide a courtesy bus. To be honest though we preferred the pool.



Would I go back? Do you need to ask? Tomorrow and to stay forever. Keep playing the lottery!!

Stayed here for a week in the...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mr S Hickey

Comments:

Stayed here for a week in the Easter holidays. Very pleasant hotel which was quiet even during Easter holidays.



Spacious apartment with excellent facilities in the kitchen including dishwasher, oven, toaster and microwave.



A few bars around the area which were nice but still quiet in the evening time because the hotel is not directly on 'the strip'. The pool was a good size and plenty of sun loungers. The gym looked really nice although I didn’t manage to drag myself there from the sun.



Supermarket attached to hotel was reasonable although there’s a more comprehensive one around the corner from it. Staff all seemed really nice and I would definitely stay here again on self catering basis as hotel restaurant looked a bit pricey.

Excellent apartments the rooms...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

May 2007

Tour Operator:

Panorama

Submitted By:

Mr J Sephton

Comments:

Excellent apartments the rooms were very clean and spacious.



The rooms were cleaned every day with clean towels provided daily.



The apartments are set in beautiful gardens with tennis courts and a large swimming pool.



There is also an indoor pool and fitness centre. The pool area's were kept very clean and tidy.



Food in the restaurant was excellent and the staff were very friendly and helpful.



Plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance. We are looking forward to returning next year.

Just returned from a last minute...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jan 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs F Smith

Comments:

Just returned from a last minute New Year's Eve break at this aparthotel. Everything was superb! First class for cleanliness, facilities and service.



It's not that far from the beach and the pubs and restaurants. Yes- it's a walk but only 10-15 minutes at the most. We were pleased that we were at the top of the strip and not the noisier lower end. We'll definitely go back in the Summer. An excellent location.



It was our first visit to the Algarve and we were not disappointed at all.



The weather was great- even in December and January. Sunny everyday. First Choice were excellent throughout. I can highly recommend the Vila Petra hotel.

Vila Petra was not what we were...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs E Esker

Comments:

Vila Petra was not what we were expecting from 4 star apartments and a First Choice gold rated accommodation. Yes it had internet connection, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, gym and outside pool with sun beds and umbrellas; but the outside pool was too small for the number of guests and not everyone could get a sun bed and umbrella. The sun beds were to close together and public areas quite sparse looking. Although the gardens areas around the apartment were kept nice and clean.



We book a 2 bedroom apartment and although I was very pleased with the size of the apartment - it had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a large lounge and fully fitted kitchen (including a dishwasher) and a large balcony, the decor and soft furnishing were dated and some of the bedding stained. In the main bathroom the toilet seat was cracked and although we reported this on numerous occasions (to reception, the maid and our First Choice rep) it was not replaced.



The hotel staff were generally pleasant and other than the replacement of the toilet seat were very helpful. The apartment was cleaned every day, as were the communal areas of the hotel.



We ordered a car via our Fist Choice rep but it was not delivered on the day we requested it. Reception staff kindly phoned the car hire company only to be told that there was no car hire ordered in our name - we had to arrange it again directly with the company. We had the car for 4 days and had no problems with the roads or driving; the A22 goes through the Algarve and is very well sign post.



Vila Petra is set at least 15 mins walk away from the nearest beach and possible nearly half an hours walk to the old town. Taxi's to the old town cost £3.90 euros each way, although a tourist train does run from the 'Strip' to the old town several time a day and night. On the Saturday night we had to wait 3/4 hour for a taxi from the old town to Vila Petra due to number of people waiting at the taxi rank.



If you want a quiet holiday Albufeira is not the resort to book, the 'Strip' is extremely noisy and busy at night.



The old town is more picturesque but is still very busy at night. I must say you are spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants and bars but they do vary in quality and price.

This was my fifth holiday to...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2004

Tour Operator:

Portland Direct

Submitted By:

Mrs C Howell

Comments:

This was my fifth holiday to Portugal and I was totally satisfied with the hotel.




The accommodation was excellent, lovely apartment, especially the separate well-equipped kitchen; it was almost home from home. The staff and maids were very friendly. Overall the hotel was very clean and well maintained.



Only a few steps away were lost of restaurants, bars supermarket.



I will most definitely stay at the Villa Petral in the future.

Villa Petra has to be the best...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2004

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss R King

Comments:

Villa Petra has to be the best aparthotel that I have stayed in. All of the staff were very friendly and welcoming including the maids!! The pool was a great place to relax as it wasn’t full of screaming kids, the pool itself was just what you need to cool yourself off after soaking up all the sun!


Albufeira has a wide range of restaurants which cater for everyone’s need, meaning you can go to a different restaurant each night of your stay!!!

I would definitely recommend this accommodation and plan to head back next year!!