michandjack - Kids Den was ideal for us - 2 boys 6 and 11 - room was very roomy and dens seemed to be situated on ground floor - so no balcony as such much walled area with table and chairs. Room had large twin beds for adults (pushed together and made up to look as one large bed) table and chairs in this room with kitchen area, hob microwave/fridge/kettle also tv in this room - double sliding doors led to kids area where wardrobes were - bunk beds and bean bags with own tv. Kids Den are able to hire PS2 - however deposit is hefty 150 euros - we paid putting deposit on credit card receipt for which was just destroyed when we handed PS2 back - we took a few of our own games as well as I imagine selection was limited and you would have to pay to hire. We were really pleased with our room but I would point out that late check out was a bit of a farce - we were being collected at 5 pm on the day of departure - you have to vacate your room by 11 am at which time your AI benefits stop!!! You can pay for a late check out 35 euros but this cannot be organised until the day before departure at which time we were told that you cannot have late check out on kids den so we had to move to a room on 2nd floor!! By doing this you get to keep AI benefits for lunch/drinks/ice creams - bit of a cheek really seeing you pay for 14 days!! We spoke to somebody who had paid £60 for sea view room and was very disappointed at sea view - beach is quite far away a good 15 min walk - so be prepared!!
Any other questions please ask!

mackmack wrote:

We spoke to somebody who had paid £60 for sea view room and was very disappointed at sea view - beach is quite far away a good 15 min walk - so be prepared!!

What were they expecting, herds of wilderbeast strolling majestically across the plains...
Strange thing going on a cheapo holiday, then paying an extra €60 to see the sea?

We got back last Thursday from 1 weeks stay in the Holiday Village Algarve and it was brilliant, we had a fab time and are considering going again next year, we will be booking into a Holiday Village again for sure.

We went all inclusive and the food wasnt bad, im fussy but everyone else we were with ate really well, the breakfast is best in my opinion, the beer is San Miguel which is better than some unknown brand. Snack bars are quite good, we stayed in Block 2 which was spotless and nice, we did have to wait for our room when we got there but it was lunchtime so we went and had food.

The daytime entertainment was great even for adults, saw more of my 2 and a half year old than my husband!!! The evening entertainment was great as well they do work so hard, the kids disco starts at 7.45pm so would suggest if you want a table at the front get there about 7.20pm. After the disco which includes kids games they have bingo and magic envelope which is worth a go as its good prize money, then they have entertainment which involves the adults then the reps put on a show.

Everyone is very friendly and we got chatting to so many people.

Any questions ask away!!

Algarveaddick not 60 euros £60 !!!!!, are they mad or is it the San Miguel talking (Thinks maybe the latter). I have a sea view from my sun terrace and its freeee

Paulajane - glad you enjoyed the hol. Took on board what you said about booking for next year, so I did a quick price check to see what I'd pay next year for the same hol I'm going on this year. Wait for it .............. I just have to pick myself up off the floor...........I'd have to pay £848 MORE than this year

I know it is very expensive, i think we are going to go for 2 weeks in May as it is alot cheaper!! I think we are going to go back to the Algarve one, i just want it booking Miss impatient!!

When do you go michandjack?

Paulajane - We don't go till October. I have to holiday during school holidays as I work in a school office and can't take holidays during term time. This is why I usually go away in October as it's cheaper than July/August. Can't believe they can charge over £800 for the exact same holiday. I know the cost of everything is going up at the moment but that's ridiculous. May is definitely the cheapest time to take a holiday - you can save yourself a fortune. Think i'll need to check the prices of other Holiday Villages. I've been busy this morning trying to decide what to do about my gas & electric prices my head's about to burst with it all. At least the price of petrol/diesel is coming down.

I cant believe ive only got four and a half weeks left till we go!! Just a quick question, while we were at the holiday village turkey last year there were photographers going round the hotel taking pics which you could buy from them at the end of your holiday. Does anyone know if they do this here?

There wasnt any photographers while we were there but the reps took pics through out the day and they were projected on the wall in the main disco in the evening which was good

Joz, for some strange reason you dont seem to get photographers going around the resort & hotels in Albufeira like you do in Spain, Turkey etc, shame really as I think its nice to have a picci taken of all the family together for a momento done with a professional camera, they always seem to turn out really good.Have a lovely holiday. Jayjan

michandjack wrote:

Paulajane - glad you enjoyed the hol. Took on board what you said about booking for next year, so I did a quick price check to see what I'd pay next year for the same hol I'm going on this year. Wait for it .............. I just have to pick myself up off the floor...........I'd have to pay £848 MORE than this year :yikes

Drop the AI, go self catering, spend the money saved on local businesses.

Not that I am biased at all...

We have just booked to go again in May next year for 2 weeks!!

We have just booked to go again in May next year for 2 weeks!!

get a good deal?

We only paid £1600 for 2 weeks AI this year but even 1 week is consideraly more than that for the same time in May next year

Yes we paid £1540 for 3 of us AI 2 weeks May 09 so not bad it was cheaper than we were quoted yesterday which is strange!!

Hi I'm off to Holiday Village on 6 September. Has anyoned used the service for pool towels, just wondering what the deposit is and checking that we can exchange the towels every day as dont really want to take lots of towels with me.
Thanks

Yes we got the towels, you can change them everyday, cant remember what the deposit was my husband just put it on his credit card so didnt actually pay anything.

Thanks Paulajane, I'll definatlay use this service.

Another question if anyone can help. We are staying in a kids den, do you need to hire the PS2 console or is it jjust the controlers you need to hire?

Thanks

Hi all

Pleased to see the Food and Sitting issue has been resloved, In fact I got a letter from First Choice yesterday confirming that this was the case and that all the food issues had been resolved, due to hiring an English Chef.
I was hoping that someone could help regarding losing your AI status after handing in your keys on the day of departure.
After phoning I was told that you have to hand in your keys at 10am, we dont get picked up until 4 or 5 pm and dont really see why i should have to pay to reinstate my AI status, when in fact I have already paid for 7 Days AI, Not 6 days and 10 Hours.
First Choice said that this was normal in AI And couldn't grasp the fact that I had paid for 7 Days AI, wasn't my fault that you have to hand in your keys early.
I know mackmack has had experience of this, has anyone else, and what did you do, stockpile the Drinks, etc, before you hand in the Keys or Just pay the extra. Not that Im a Skinflint or a scrooge, was just wondering if everyone thought it was fair or normal practice.

Kids Den are able to hire PS2 - however deposit is hefty 150 euros - we paid putting deposit on credit card receipt for which was just destroyed when we handed PS2 back - we took a few of our own games as well as I imagine selection was limited and you would have to pay to hire.

kap1234 hope this helps,was posted by mackmack