First time to Portugal
27 Posts
Hi - My sister and I are going away with our mum for a week in July and were thinking of trying Portugal..We have no idea where to stay as the last time we went was in 1982 !! - we went to Vilamorua.. I was wondering if anyone could point us in the right direction ! as after looking on the internet I've just confused myself ! We're looking for somwhere that has some traditonal charm and enough night life to go out and have some dinner and drinks in the evening - nothing too rowdy ! We're not fusseed about being right on the beach but views of the sea would be nice ! Thanks so much
Consider Lagos in the western Algarve.Although a major resort, it has managed to retain its Portuguese authenticity and is still a working town with an active small fishing industry. It does have a great choice of restaurants and bars as well as a modern Marina and glorious beaches.
Furthermore,Lagos is on the Algarve railway network, so access to some of the resorts further east is possible.
Furthermore,Lagos is on the Algarve railway network, so access to some of the resorts further east is possible.
Thankyou Sagres ! I will definitely check it out ! Any hotel in particular you can recommend ?! or one to steer clear of !! Thanks again.. 
What standard of hotel are you looking for - 3* or 4*?; I would suggest you restrict yourselves to B/B only, as there's a huge choice of excellent places to eat.
We would like to be in a 3/4* hotel but not your normal huge concrete brick 'family' orientated hotel ! We were wanting B&B as we like to go out and sample different places in the evening...
Have sent some details by p.m. Ask if you need any more help.
Try the Hotel Rocamar it has really good reviews and is beach front in Albufeira. 
Another place that is nice is the Marina Club aparthotel in Lagos. It's not huge, but bigger than the hotel that Sagres goes to. It's well appointed and has a lovely pool. Pool and Marina facing rooms are the nicest. Breakfast isn't included but it has a place where you can purchase it, but I'm not sure on price. Alternatively there is a little cafe facing the marina where you can purchase coffee, fresh orange, crossaint, french bread & conserves for 4.5 euros & eat it looking at all the yatchs. Lovely. 
.. on my last three visits to Lagos,I've used three different hotels...... so, which one would that be then ?bigger than the hotel that Sagres goes to
Well I was kind of assuming your secret one whose name you never post on this board incase we all go there, discover how fab it is and you can't get a room. 
But am I right ?
Doe
No - that's the middle one !! I didn't mention the Marina Club as Nic didn't want a big concrete one and I didn't think the M.C. would be suitable for his requirements.
I didn't mention the Marina Club as Nic didn't want a big concrete one and I didn't think the M.C. would be suitable for his requirements.
Oh Did you think that the Marina Club was a big concrete one. 
(well I know it was made of concrete). I thought it was quite attractive.
I'm probably comparing it to ones I have been to in other countries that have been bigger and more concreteey .
(well I know it was made of concrete). I thought it was quite attractive.I'm probably comparing it to ones I have been to in other countries that have been bigger and more concreteey .
that will be a female Nic !!!
Are you sure you mean the Marina Club and not the Marina Rio the other side of the Avenida, facing the marina across the river - that's nicely done.(Probably still made of concrete but with a bit of character !)
Oops, so sorry Nic !!
Oops, so sorry Nic !!
That's ok Sagres ! No offence taken ! 
We're prorbabaly going to book the Marina Rio in a couple of days. Looks really nice and all the reviews are really positive...Probably shouldn't say that bit yet, until we've booked it ! - Just waiting for my sister to confirm her dates - so thanks for your advice !
We're prorbabaly going to book the Marina Rio in a couple of days. Looks really nice and all the reviews are really positive...Probably shouldn't say that bit yet, until we've booked it ! - Just waiting for my sister to confirm her dates - so thanks for your advice !
Nice hotel, Nic. I would suggest that you ask for Marina view rooms - they cost more but are well worth the extra.
The hotel has a lovely terrace on the roof with super views over the town, river and bay as well as the Marina, of course, but the pool is very small, so, if the pool is a major requirement, you may find that a drawback.
As far as access to Lagos and it's restaurants is concerned, you'll be ideally situated at the Marina Rio. Good luck with your booking.
The hotel has a lovely terrace on the roof with super views over the town, river and bay as well as the Marina, of course, but the pool is very small, so, if the pool is a major requirement, you may find that a drawback.
As far as access to Lagos and it's restaurants is concerned, you'll be ideally situated at the Marina Rio. Good luck with your booking.
Thanks Sagers - We are planning on booking a room with a harbour View and also realise that the pool isn't much, but we would rather stay somewhere that has good reviews over-all, than somewhere that has a lovely pool but then isn't so good over-all ! We'll just have to take a walk to the beach and get sandy instead !! 
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