I agree with the comment about the value of AI. I really believe that its worth doing even if you go and eat out every night. Think about the fact that kids can get as many soft drinks as they like, and ice creams. And all that lovely, cold beer

i've just read a review on tripadvisor for someone that was there the same time as us (2 weeks up til 7 August). It was like they were at a different hotel "cold, undercooked food, only burgers, chips and pasta, no choice of salads...." ????

I know i felt like putting a comment to them but thought better not!! What do some people expect! I didnt think the food was that bad and im fussy, my family ate really well! Cant wait to go back next year!

For a fortnite we only paid £180 more for a family of 4 to go AI than to go SC so i think it was well worth it.

My eldest loved the fact she could go to the snack bar and get as many ice creams and soft drinks as she liked without having to ask for permission or money.

A gallon of San Miguel every night for me would have cost approx €28 x 14 = €392 (£325) so well worth it for that alone.

I can't drink a lot of alcohol (very little infact ) but even for soft drinks it's great value. I loved being able to sit out in the terrace area with as many cups of tea as I wanted while everone else drank my share of booze . After all someone had to stay sober to guide hubby when pushing my wheelchair . Mind you a few drinks may have made the bumps and cobbles more bearable .

Our girls loved being independent with drinks and snacks too, they felt so grown up, especially when they were asked to sign for icelollies that weren't on AI.

Oh, just thought I'd ask, anyone who's just back, have they put in anymore ramps? The day we left Dave (Rep) was arranging for a ramp to be made for the entertainment complex for a lady in a scooter. (bit miffed that they did it after 2 weeks of me being there with nothing but if it helps others then good).

Just got enough energy back to try to draught a letter pointing out the problems with access for first choice. Would be interested to see what's new.

Thanks
Hx

sleepyrella wrote:

A few people have been saying that it's not worth the extra money for AI, I'd just like to point out that the money you would spend on extras such as alcohol, icecream, soft drinks and snacks there isn't much of a diference.

We found that even if you didn't want to eat at the hotel every night it is still worth AI price. It means you have your visits to the themed restraunts for 2 nights each week too. The restraunt is not totally awful and there is something for everyone even if you only use it a few times, I do beleive it is more expensive to pay when you are there.

It certainly is worth doing the sums, I think it does add up.

Luv Hx

The one thing I would say, is that if you don't eat out a couple of times, next time you come there will not be anywhere else to eat out as they will be out of business...

I would still recommend eating out, it is nice to see more than just the hotel. I think both could be done within the AI budget. It is important for the businesses but also important for the locals to be employed in the hotel too.

I'm all up for sharing we went on a jeep safari and had lunch at a lovely village and saw an elderly man making baskets, my girls love to by hand made things. We bought jam at the farm that makes fire water.

We plan to eat out too, we have mainly gone for the AI option for the drinks and snacks

Sounds like a lot of the problems have been sorted out - we go 9th Ovtober for 1 week - can't wait!

How do you book the creche - we've got a 15 month with us and brochure told us creche (not kids club) needed to be booked & paid for in advance.

Will we get a travel cot or will they expect little man to sleep in a bed?

Ta
Loopy

In order to book the creche you need to go to the welcome meeting and see the nursery nurses.

You then go with your child to the first session and stay with them to see how they get on and to get them used to the girls who run the creche.

The if you're happy you can book and pay for sessions in the creche for your child by themself.

Just back from HVA and have had a super time(the sunshine helped).The good points for me were a very good athmosphere in the complex with the best group of reps I have met and Ihave been to other HVs Ollie and Frankie who were the main organisers of the main pool activities deserve a special mention.The kids clubs were superb we had 8 kids of all ages in our group and all of them made friends in the clubs some of them seemed to be getting over friendly with one girl in the club ;).We were in the main block and the sea view was fab every morning.The rooms were huge and having the BBC on the telly meant being able to watch the Olympics which was handy.The pools which are cold when you get in but after a couple of secs you dont notice are great,the slides at the pool around the back are not for the faint hearted but the older kids love the big ones.There are a few negatives the complex is isolated and the lack of taxis in the evening is frustrating but the hotel does have its own minibus which shuttles people from 7-9 but they dont over broadcast this as it only carries 8.We were SC and the fact that you constantly have to produce a card and sign for anything you get is a bit of a pain.I have tried to book for next year but so far it seems completely booked out for July and August.

hi can anyone help we have booked to go to h.v in algarve end of sep,really looking forward to it,apart from the food it seems! dose anyone no the affical wed site cant seem to find one?

http://www.altodacolina.com/

hi was wondering if anyone has an email address or contact info for the holiday village algarve we go out there on the 11th oct and need to know if they sell soya milk in their shop, my daughter is milk intolerant and i would rather not weigh the suitcase down , or if anyone who has been there could tell me that would be great thanks x

welcome to the portugal forum of HT

have you seen the post imidiatly above yours

click on contacts and you will find the e-mail address

wizard

Hi

The e-mail I used to contact them regarding another matter is this: altodacolina@mail.telepac.pt you may get a "failure to deliver notice"" but they will have recieved the e-mail


ETA: Oh yeah, or just do that

Hi browneress
Not sure about the shop but did you know you can order (through First Choice) baby food/nappies/jar food etc to be waiting for you in your room before you arrive. If you have a look on the FC website I think it comes under holiday extras or something. Its priced in euros and I think includes shipping (from where I dont know) but might save you some hassle.

No good really for us as our LO cant tolerate jar food.

Were going out 9th October so might see you there!

thanks ill have alook x

Hi all

Had a look at the website posted on this page, but was wondering what the rooms/Kitchen look like for All Inclusive and if there are any facilities at all for cooking and if cutlery is included in AI
Does anyone have any photos or know whats included in the apartment and also some info on the deposit for remote control for Tv or is that included in room.

Thanks

Kenny