In response to Rose2312 post, I agree with jokluz. If they've refunded you the money you paid for the seaview supplement then there's probably no point in complaining strongly BUT I would still write back to them saying that you're not very happy with the arrangement. I'm a little concerned for myself now, as I'm booked to go in October this year and I too have paid for a seaview. I did wonder about booking a kids den but couldn't get much info about what they were like - thought I'd wait till people on here reported back and then I can always upgrade.

Looking forward to updated posts on Holiday Village Algarve.

Hi jokluz and michandjack,

Thanks for your replies.

Sorry, I should have said in my post that, no, they haven't offered me any kind of refund and that's why I'm not very happy. I just feel that if your room is described as 'twin with Sea view' then I would expect to get a relatively unobstructed view of the sea, not a 'partial' view (and I have written to them to that effect). I have also asked them why they are now unable to deliver what they sold me.

At the end of day it's not a massive deal as we will not be in the room that much - I think it's a bit naughty of them though. I suspect that they probably have some overbooking issues, and as I was quite late (26-Nov-07) in booking the holiday have been a tad unlucky in that respect - oh well, it won't ruin the holiday as the complex looks fantastic!

I'll let you know if I get a response.

Thanks again!

My only fear is that they seem to be building in the area of the hotel. Check out the traveller photos for the Alto da Colina (as it was previously known) on tripadvisor.co.uk and you'll see what I mean. Could this be the reason that rooms now only have a partial sea view? The photo with two cranes near the seafront are a slight worry . At the end of the day, as you say, you're not in your room a lot but when you are you want to see what you paid for..........and that's the sea view

I will check out tripadvisor.co.uk - thanks for that pointer.

You could be right about new buildings obstructing the sea view, I hadn't thought of that!

I'll let you know if I hear anything back from First Choice.

Rose

Hi Rose,

I guess I would want to know why they can no longer provide the full sea view, I.E is it because of major building work etc..... then decide whether to make a fuss!!

Kelly

We've paid for a sea view and did so last time as well.

There weren't many rooms that didn't have a sea view iirc, and those were overlooking the Balaia Golf Complex at the side.

To be honest though, the sea is a good distance away and your view is really of the main pool, the Balaia plaza next doors pool, the Alfagar over the main road and then the sea in the distance.

There is still a lot of unfinished building work going on around the Alto Da Colina complex, and it was closed in mid January. When are they intending it to open for tourists as the new resort? What do the travel brochures say? Cheers Jayjan

There is still a lot of unfinished building work going on around the Alto Da Colina complex, and it was closed in mid January. When are they intending it to open for tourists as the new resort? What do the travel brochures say? Cheers Jayjan

May 1st i think as that is the start of the season.

We are booked to go on 17th May for 2 weeks.

Well, here is an update for anyone interested....

... I received a letter from First Choice today which briefly says;

"Due to a new building that has been erected, sadly, we are unable to guarantee a full sea view. I would like to assure you all our customers who had initially booked a sea view have been advised this is no longer possible".

Obviously I'm not entirely happy, but I'm determined to not let it spoil our holiday as I guess it's not really the fault of FC (although surely they must have known??).

They did also say they appreciate the personal disappointment I must have felt. Also, they were extremely speedy in replying, so credit to FC there, if nothing else.

Anyway, you have all been warned!

Rose

I had a letter from First Choice yesterday regarding Holiday Village Algarve/Club Alto Da Colina.

No mention of Sea Views though, just that there were originally 5 restaurants planned for the complex but that now they have been told there are only 3.

A buffet restaurant, an Italian Pizza/Pasta Restaurant and a Portgugese A La Carte restaurant which requires a reservation and only one visit per week.

I rang them about this to make sure you could visit the Italian one as often as you liked and they said yes. I mentioned others had received letters about the Sea View, but he just said if it wasn't mentioned on my letter it wouldn't affect me.

To be honest i am still at a loss to see where the extension could have been built to affect anyones sea view. Even looking at the overhead pictures of the comlex and knowing the geography (hilly), i can't picture where the extension could be.

Anyone living nearby shed any light?

I had the same letter also, not mentioning anything about the seaview! Has anyone got any recent pics of the holiday villiage as the only ones I have seen are before the changes? Thankyou.

I also got the same letter regarding the reduced number of restaurants, I did not book a sea view room I've booked a kids den. to be honest I am not really that bothered as will spend very limited amount of time in room and when it comes to food my family and I are not fussy eaters so will hopefully not have a problem with the choice of food although its comforting to know we can visit the italian as often as we like if FC actually honour their promise .

Hi, Just had to change the date of our holiday we are now going for two weeks from 30th august its costing an extra £650 Just for having one week out of school instead of two!!

Hi just had a look about the seaview, As far as I can see if you have booked a one bedroom you get a seaview and if you have booked a twin room you get a partial seaview

I had wanted to book this resort for August, but when I went to book it was full, I am now going 1month later and I have saved £1,700 and I get an apartment instead of a room .....

Hi, Will there be any other single parents here in the first two weeks of september? This is my first time going on holiday with the children alone, any tips for having a stress free holiday would also be appreciated

Hi jokluz
I am going on 6 september with my husband and 2 boys aged 6 and 10. How old are your kids as they might really enjoy the kids clubs. I have been with first choice before and my boys really loved going and it gave my husband and I around 3 free hours every day to relax by the pool.

Hi, I will be going with my two daughters who will be 7 and 9 when we go! They really enjoyed the kids clubs when we went with first choice before but they were in the same age group, im a bit worried this time as they might not be as keen to go in them on there own!

Hi Jokluz
Sure they will be fine and that they will make lots of friends. The good thing about this accomodation is there will be plenty of british tourists, I have been to turkey the last 3 years with guests being mainly russian and my boys wouln't go to the kids club as were only uk kids there but they kept each other amused.