Vilamoura Garden Hotel

"This hotel is NOT adults only. We booked on the premise of this however, two days into our stay the pool was overrun by children. Screaming and shouting completely ruined the peaceful stay and made us not want to stay at the pool. It’s listed as adult only however management explained that as the hotel only made the switch this year they still have to honour the family bookings made in advance. It really shouldn’t be advertised as adult only till these stays are finished. The management did allow us spa access at the Hilton to compensate for the false advertising, however it was of course an indoor pool. The outdoor hotel pool itself wasn’t the nicest, overhung by a lots large trees a lot of debris falls in that isn’t cleaned up as well as a film of suncream floating on the top even at the start of the day. I had to pick a spider out of my partners hair while he swam in the pool. The only day i seen the pool being cleaned with a net was the day a plastic bag floated in it for two hours. There was however, plenty of sunbeds and there didn’t seem to be that sunlounger rush you get at other hotels. There’s not a lot around the hotel as you’re far away from the marina and beach so there’s not much escape. There are shuttles that run from the Hilton to take you there however, we just opted for ubers as it was around 4€. There’s a spar a five minute walk away for all your room drinks and crisps. Shops will come up on google maps 3 minutes away - don’t bother, they’ve been knocked down & maps hasn’t updated it. The hotel itself is nice on the surface with all the amenities you could want. Rooms are spacious, robes provided, unfortunately ants invaded our room crawling in through the cracks in the locked balcony door. Balconies lack anywhere to dry your towels. Had a great sleep until the last night when a pair of drunk girls ran around the corridor screaming at 3am & sounded like they were fighting eachother when their mum dragged them into their room - embarrassing. Staff are polite and welcoming. Unfortunately a lot of them are new, especially the bar staff who have made me some of the worst cocktails i’ve ever had and the price point isn’t cheap. The price of an average cocktail at the bar is around 9/12€, we also paid around 7/8€ for a spirit and mixer. We ended up just getting drinks from the spar and having them by the pool instead. We’re half board and you cannot swap dinner for lunch (which there’s a reason for). The pool snacks are delicious but again expensive, you’re looking at 15€ for a basic chicken sandwich and chips. We attended the dinner on our first night and the food was great, it’s a menu rather than your standard buffet so you order a starter, main and dessert and pay for your wine. The king prawn dishes are excluded and you’ll need to pay for them and they were out of stock of a few menu items which limited the menu further. The food we did receive was delicious however and we couldn’t fault the service. The downside was it felt like eating in a nursing home. The environment was somewhat sterile with what sounded like call centre hold music playing so we didnt bother again and just headed to the marina where there’s lots of good options alongside entertainment as there isn’t any at the hotel. Half board isn’t really worth it. The food and the staff are the only saving grace for this place and for what you pay just to be there it doesn’t cut it. What was supposed to be a calming time away more often than not turned into an additional stressor. Book quite literally anywhere else."

"Hotel is very clean, full of golfers for the nearby golf course, with a few elderly guests as well. Breakfast is very minimal, a cooked table with bacon, sausages and beans, every other day hash browns. Another table with cooked meats and cheese etc, with another with cereal and fruit. Staff all very pleasant. Pool has enough sun beds and no placing of towels by inconsiderate guests. I was in room 119 - woke up first and second nights by people in the bar below constantly moving chairs and shouting etc. By the second night I had to complain and ask reception to keep them quiet - the bar is supposed to close at 11pm but this was around 12. I know this isn’t mega late but I’m on holiday to relax and go to bed around 10am and up for breakfast at 730am, as others also appeared to be. I spoke to the manager the following morning, who was extremely understanding and offered to move me to another room, but it was beside the lift, which was likely to also wake me if the same inconsiderate people where quiet going back to their rooms. So she organised some earplugs and the following day I was moved to room 201. This room was the opposite end and complete bliss until my final day when I was trying to catch some afternoon sleep ready for my 2am collection for our flight home, only to be constantly awoken by the cleaners shouting up and down the landing to each other. I called reception and was told “sir, it’s 4pm in afternoon” - which I get, but there’s no reason for the cleaners to be shouting up and down corridors to each other, without good reason. I’m sure they can do their jobs without shouting from one room to another or from end of the landing to the other and be mindful some guests are trying to relax. The other guests in our party are in room 120, which was opposite my original room. They were awoken most nights by the people above them, again moving chairs and shouting and arguing. Last night they also had to call reception because they couldn’t sleep and had endured it for too long, not wanting to be lived as they were in a suite. The rooms are good rooms, very clean, but there’s inadequate sound proofing, so if you want decent sleep then you need to look elsewhere. If your going to that drunk you won’t wake up and want a clean hotel then this is for you, however expect to pay €5 each time you want to go to the marina (main area) or return, which does add up, but not the hotels fault either. Staff are all very friendly, despite cleaners not considering people are also asleep through day for very good reasons"

"Have recently returned from yet another visit to this great hotel.There have been a few changes with regards to restaurant and menu and on the whole I feel they have improved the experience the new menu for Half Board is very good and plenty of choice and as always the food is of an excellent standard and quality,there have also been some changes around the breakfast most of which are good and fit in with the layout and ambience of the restaurant but I have to say that I feel the large eye sore of a fresh orange juice machine I feel lowers the standard that this 4 star hotel has I mean it is something you would find in a supermarket and feel it takes up valuable space that could be better utilised if it has to be there maybe in a corner so it does not affect the flow of the restaurant.I am not naive or stupid enough to think my comments will have any impact but felt it has to be mentioned. There is now an pool table at one side of the bar which is ok as it is not too large and therefore not taking up too much room but an electronic heart board squeezed in as well not too sure. But back to all things positive which is what it has always been on my numerous visits each year to this hotel and that is thanks again to the girls on reception Liliana and Pilar always friendly polite and helpful,also thanks to Michele for her friendly manner at breakfast. Finally once again thanks to Tiago for his excellent efficient professional and of course friendly service in running the restaurant and bar area soon well. Hope to see you all again soon"