Hotel berhampiran Alfanzina Lighthouse, Carvoeiro

My wife & I stayed at the Vale d’el Rei for 4 nights in early October. We visit the Algarve around twice a year and I have to say this is one of the best if not the best hotel we have stayed at in our many visits. First of all, the grounds the hotel sits in are extensive & immaculately kept. There are 2/3 pools, the main pool is salt water and heated during the colder months and is perfect for swimming in. There are enough sun beds, of good quality, to go round & we never once saw beds being reserved by the “crack of dawn brigade” Breakfast is served around the pool area & is a buffet style with plenty of good quality hot & cold options and all overseen by a very efficient & friendly staff who are constantly clearing, cleaning & replenishing food. A wonderful start to each day. We stayed in a suite, which was amazing value for money. It consisted of, an entrance area, a bathroom with overhead shower, a lounge with balcony off & a bedroom with a gigantic comfortable bed with good quality bed linen, double wardrobes with plenty of hangers and a safe that you didn’t have to pay extra to use. If there is a negative & I would have to search very hard for one, it’s that it’s a little remote. Although the hotel does provide a shuttle bus that runs into and from Carvoeiro several times a day. I would recommend you had a hire car which we always use when we visit the Algarve. This tiny negative would 1 million% not stop us visiting again & I have already enquired for our stay in 2024. Well done all at Vale d’el Rei, look forward to seeing you again next year.

Just got back from a week here. We used it as a base for cycling which was ideal as the location was perfect to explore the area. There is an Intermarche 0.9 miles away. We had a 2 bed villa which was very spacious. Loved the separate lounge area and kitchen and of course a spare room. Yes it is dated and 1 of the beds was really noisy but was adequate for our needs. Villa Our villa faced the main road, which although seems small it was incredibly busy and we were disturbed every night, throughout the night by noisy traffic. There is a very small balcony area which didnt get the sun but the views were quite nice and you could see the sunrise. Food We were really disappointed, having stayed half board in many hotels of varying star ratings, this was by far the worst. Breakfast was childrens cereals (3 of), cold bacon, cold scrambled egg, toast, yoghurt, very watered down juices. Nice fruit salad, selection of cold meats and a cheese. It never changed. The evening meal was from a menu, hit and miss, most of the meat choices were tasteless and dry, the fish and lasagne were nice. I prefer a buffet style by choice. The waiting staff worked hard and were polite. Pool Outside pool was fantastic, plenty of sunbeds, large pool that didnt make your eyes sting or smell of chlorine. We didnt use the indoor pool. Wifi What wifi, there was none available in the villa and even when you went to the pool area or reception it was hit and miss. We needed it to upload our routes for the next day and it became an issue on occasion. There was no atmosphere at the hotel and I appreciate we came at the end of the season. I dont think we would stay here again sadly.

We are returning for our 6th visit but our first since new ownership. Great to see many familiar faces but some changes are not welcomed. Charges for using the indoor pool when nothing has changed ie no enhancement is not a good move for creating loyalty. Also very little in room amenities available versus previous ownership. I don’t mind being charged extra if services and amenities have been improved but this isn’t the case.

Nestled in a serene location, this hotel proved to be the perfect haven for families seeking a peaceful and rejuvenating escape from the demands of the work world. From the moment we arrived until our departure, we were enveloped in a tranquil ambiance that allowed us to recharge and reconnect with our loved ones. One of the most remarkable aspects of our stay was the prevailing sense of calm throughout the entire property. It was evident that the hotel had meticulously designed its spaces to create a soothing atmosphere. Whether we were strolling through the beautifully landscaped gardens, lounging by the pool, or enjoying a quiet meal in the restaurant, we felt an overwhelming sense of tranquility that instantly melted away the stresses of everyday life. The hotel's commitment to creating a peaceful environment extended to its accommodations as well. Our room was a true sanctuary, providing a blissful retreat where we could relax and unwind. The tastefully appointed interiors, plush bedding, and thoughtful amenities contributed to a restful atmosphere that allowed us to get a restorative night's sleep. We woke up each morning feeling refreshed and ready to embrace the day ahead. What truly set this hotel apart was its dedication to catering to families. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that every member of the family felt welcome and comfortable. From engaging activities for children to family-friendly dining options, every aspect of our stay was tailored to our needs. The hotel even offered serene spaces for parents to relax while keeping an eye on their little ones, striking the perfect balance between tranquility and family-friendly amenities. Furthermore, the attentive and friendly staff added to the overall sense of relaxation. They were always on hand to offer assistance or provide recommendations, and their warm and genuine hospitality made us feel like valued guests. Beyond the hotel itself, the surrounding area offered plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and exploration. We took advantage of the hotel's proximity to nature, embarking on leisurely walks and hikes that allowed us to connect with the peaceful surroundings. It was the ideal way to escape the hustle and bustle of the work world and reconnect with nature.

Thoroughly enjoyed our second visit to Vila Vita, it's a wonderful hotel, and we found more things to enjoy. For our family it was perfect as there are so many activities to do - pool, beach, sports, health club, children's holiday club, relaxing. There is wide range of on and off site restaurants, which are all great. The rooms are very comfortable and the family room with an extra bedroom and garden terrace suits us to enjoy our evening while our children sleep. And finally you are looked after extremely well and in great comfort.

We spent over 15 days in Portugal on our honeymoon and had the misfortune of ending up at this hotel as our last stay in Portugal. I booked via *********** and to be honest, we were in a bit of a hurry so I did not check the reviews on trip advisor. Never again! We usually book boutique hotels as the experience is more personal and a lot more interactive in terms of getting to know someone who is local as well as other guests. Since this was our honeymoon and we were going to be in the Algarve as our last stop before heading back, I thought it would be a lovely surprise to indulge in some luxury and I booked this so called 4* hotel looking at the pictures the management would have posted. It was so bad, the pictures would tell the story. The place is filthy and not worthy of a single star. There is absoluetly no sense of hospitality. Check-in is at an odd 3 or 4 pm and untill then they make you wait without even so much so as offering water to drink. Anyway, we checked in and immediately there was a foul smell in the bathroom. We informed them and the next hour was spent in getting the sink and the shower area de-clogged. In the meantime, we see large holes in the bedsheet! We inform the staff and they ask us what do we want them to do! Also, I had messaged them a month ago, at the time of booking that we would prefer a double bed - they said there are no double beds in the entire hotel and they would have a double bedsheet over the joined single beds, but this was also not done when we checked in and neither was it done when they changed the bedsheet nor the next day. This isn't where the horror story ends, there were bugs in the room, the little kitchenette had so much dust and grime accumulating for god knows how many months and there was cracked wood with dust everywhere you would look, water seepage and rotting wood and carpets. Take a look at the pictures and you'll realize without even being there what a dungen of a place this is and the worst thing is nobody cares. We checked out a day earlier and at the time we were leaving, the staff on the reception said ”I hope all was well with your stay”! Despite multiple complaints, no one bothered to come to the room to even see how we were managing. Unfortunately we had a boat tour and hike planned on day 2, which is why we didnt check out the same evening we checked in. We were being charged over 200 Euros a night and they didn't even give us a bottle of water. When we asked, they said we give one (50cl) bottle of water when you check in. No matter how many days you're staying with them! On the second evening, when I said the room wasn't cleaned yet, they said we first start with the rooms that would have guests checking in and then come to others and by 5pm it will definately be done. Even after 6pm, no one showed up and after repeated reminders, they started cleaning the room at 6:20. Yet, it was as dirty as you can see in the pictures - ones with the dust and grime around the kitchenette,

I returned to this hotel having visited last year – at that time my review said ‘I think I have never stayed at a hotel that has delivered so well on my expectations’. However, although the location is still perfect, the swimming pool an oasis of calm, the staff super attentive and the rooms elegant and clean, some aspects have changed for the worse, since I was last here. Firstly the breakfast which, last year was a cordon bleu triumph is now a rather uninspiring buffet arrangement – where previously there were cooked breakfast items freshly made to order including eggs Bennedict, omelettes, bacon and sausages with smoked salmon and a huge choice of fresh fruit, cold meats and cheese. Secondly, families (with young children) from nearby ‘exclusive’ villas are now invited to share the breakfast service – from time to time shattering the calm and negating the ‘Adults Only’ claim – on TA and other booking sites. Word on the street is that this unique hotel will shortly be replaced by a Marriott – which, in itself, is a pity – however it would have been good if the previous standards could have been maintained until that time. This hotel is still lovely and the staff amazing but – to those of us lucky to have visited before – it’s just not the same Palmares Beach House hotel.