I would urge everyone that has had problems or who has problems with the Food and Meals, to complain to the Reps and get a receipt to say that they have complained.
This would be your first step claiming Compensation from First Choice.
No where in the Brochure does it say anything about the Seating times for Eating and as no one has been advised by First choice that this is Happening ( They are quick to point out the Building Work ), then this would be a Perfect claim for Compansation.
Holiday Companies are always first to blame someone else, fact is , they are responsible for what happens on your Holiday, you booked with them , not the Holiday Village Algarve.
Get a recorded letter of to there Head Office, voicing your Complaints and that if after brining these complaints to there attention, they do nothing to remedy the situation and you suffer Food Poisoning or the Food is not up to an Acceptable Standard, You will take Legal Action against them when you Return.

Rule6A -requires that its members will provide a high standard of service. ABTA Code of Conduct.

Package Travel Regulations 1992It is however Regulation 15 that has most impact on all holiday claims.

Regulation 15 is summarised:

The Organiser (which is the term used to describe the tour operator) is liable for the failures of hoteliers, suppliers and services within the contract.

The Organiser's Representative (the rep) must provide you with prompt assistance in resort.

The consumer must make an early complaint in the event of a failure in your holiday. You must give the rep every opportunity to resolve your complaint in resort.

On your return, you must write to the tour operator within a ‘reasonable' period, this is defined within the brochure, and is usually 28 days.

There are 3 defences to any claim:

If the failure was due to the fault of the consumer;
The failure was the fault of a third party not connected with the contract and the failure in question was unforeseeable or unavoidable;
Or such failures were due to:

Unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond their control, the consequences of those circumstances could not be avoided if all due care had been exercised, or
An event that has caused the failure which even with all due care could not have been foreseen or forestalled.

I took Thomas cook to court a couple of Years ago for the same thing, Claiming it wasn't there problem. They used there Bully Boy Tactics on me, Threatening Lawyers, etc. Eventually they admitted Blame.

I sincerely hope I dont have to repeat it this year.

Thanks to xor37H for all the information regarding compensation claim - We fully intend to let the on site reps know of our dissatisfaction!! As you said it did not mention anything in the brochure about set meal times - if it had I can assure you this would have meant that we would not have booked this resort!! When we pointed this out to FC they have said that they will be writing to all future guest to highlight the evening meal situation - I do not understand why FC have let the management of the hotel make this decision regarding set meal times as it certainly does not feature in any other of the Holiday Villages - so if they can cope why can't this new Holiday Village. We even tried to swap to self catering but were told than this was not an option - if fact there were no options really - like it or lump it attitude!!

Try emailing the hotel itself with your request for preferred sitting,anything is worth a go.I did and they seemed quite polite,although we dont arrive untill 14 Aug so it might just be talk.

Thank you for your e-mail.
We just allocate the sittings 1 day before the arrivals, but I put on your booking this
request, to stay on the earlier one.
Regarding the splash park, it's almost finished. For the next week or in 15 days, it might be open.

Whishing you a pleasant journey,

Kind Regards,
Amélie

this was sent on June 22nd,good luck

Try emailing the hotel itself with your request for preferred sitting,anything is worth a go.I did and they seemed quite polite,although we dont arrive untill 14 Aug so it might just be talk.

Quote:

Thank you for your e-mail.
We just allocate the sittings 1 day before the arrivals, but I put on your booking this
request, to stay on the earlier one.
Regarding the splash park, it's almost finished. For the next week or in 15 days, it might be open.

Whishing you a pleasant journey,

Kind Regards,
Amélie

this was sent on June 22nd,good luck

To be fair, Amelie is a lovely girl and is very friendly and very helpful. Never forgot our little girls name and always waved and said hello to her when we went through reception.

The early/late sitting thing didn't really affect us, although people on the later sitting weren't too happy. It wasn't really that strict and although it says you are requested to wear long trousers for dinner no one ever did (thank god as i had none with me ).

Could anyone provide me with the email address for the hotel - as advised I think it best to request preferred dinner sitting ! Thanks

yes the email address is altodacolina@mail.telepac.pt you will get a failure notification back when you send it but the email will be delivered just await your reply. I hope you have better luck than I did, Amelie advised me that she can only do our best to try and accomodate us.

It all sounds fairly amazing that First Choice are blaming the hotel for the problems. It's their Holiday Village and if they have chosen to allow the hotel to run the restaurant, they are still accountable for the service provided. I have written to the head office asking what actions they are taking to address the food problem. With all the reports on things like this web site and tripadvisor, they have no excuse as far as I can see.

Thanks to everyone for posting all the info. In a bizarre sort of way, I look forward to seeing the new reports of how bad things are being added daily.

I too am addicted to this site for updates - I agree with previous comment I do not understand how FC are allowing the owner of the hotel to put in place set meal times when FC never previously operated with this system!! As for the poor standard of food - all the other Holiday Villages manage to cope with high numbers of customers and still turn out good varied menus - with holidaymakers being able to eat as and when they want!! I have just really depressed myself my checking reviews for the other new Holiday Village in Cyprus and they are all fantastic - with fresh/varied food on offer (sob sob) we looked at this but chose Portugal instead!! It is a real shame as prior to booking this Holiday Village all the review for the hotel prior to it becoming a Holiday Village were excellent - I know personally people that have stayed there and they cannot believe the current reviews!!

Hi All

I have been considering this hotel for summer 2009 and I know that a few of the folk on this thread have now been. I would probably be going the last two weeks in July as I have visited the Algarve 3 times, at this time and had excellent weather.

What I would like to know is would this hotel be suitable for two youngish teens, 13 and 15 ? I have read this whole thread and it would seem to me that most of you that have visited have younger children.

I have no issues at all with two sittings for meals and assume I would be allocated the later one plus we would eat out some evenings and hire a car, plus I want ready access to the old town and strip, which it seems like I can get from this hotel.

I just really want to be assured that teens will be there as well, as it would be good for mine to have someone to chum up with.

thanks to anyone who replys, Doe

This whole problem with the Holiday village is really saddening.
First Choice seem to be just letting all this happen and dont seem to be trying to do anything to resolve this situation.
I know I am not going till 16th October, But I had hoped that it would improve by then and I really hope that it does.
I feel really sorry for all those people who, like myself have paid there hard earned cash, to have, what according to the Brochure was to be a Great Holiday, only to be taken back to Pontin/Butlin type meals of the 60's.

Remember, strength in numbers, get names, addresses of people like yourselves, who are complaining about the food, etc, while you are on Holiday.
Maybe it will improve and im pretty sure all the reps must be getting annoyed at all the complaints that they, rather unjustly, i might add are getting, because a big company like First Choice are not doing anything.

We all live in Hope.

When my husband was speaking to the FC Priority Rep(!!!!) he likened the situation to Butlins - the amazing thing was until we brought to their attention the situation regarding the food and meal sittings they said they knew nothing about it!! They say they do not refer to sites such as this - maybe they should they would learn a few things!! I just hope food situation aside the weather is good, the hotel is clean, and that there are plenty of sunbeds!!! I do feel FC should take ownership of the situation - when there were teething problems in Egypt last year some of the first visitors were getting massive refunds - if the food is so bad on an AI package that holidaymakers are having to spend further money on eating out they should be compensated!!

When my husband was speaking to the FC Priority Rep(!!!!) he likened the situation to Butlins - the amazing thing was until we brought to their attention the situation regarding the food and meal sittings they said they knew nothing about it!! They say they do not refer to sites such as this - maybe they should they would learn a few things!! I just hope food situation aside the weather is good, the hotel is clean, and that there are plenty of sunbeds!!! I do feel FC should take ownership of the situation - when there were teething problems in Egypt last year some of the first visitors were getting massive refunds - if the food is so bad on an AI package that holidaymakers are having to spend further money on eating out they should be compensated!!

I'm surprised that FC say they know nothing about it as when we were there the rps ran out of complaint forms!!!

Also while we were there there was a 2 day visit by a FC executive delegation of 6 people, 2 of whom a rep told us were the area managers and others from the UK. They had brochures with them and clipboards comparing stuff in the brochure to the resort. They ate in the restaurant for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and were escorted around by the hotels head rep. It was not a fleeting visit either, they were around the hotel for a full 48 hours and it was noticeable that the food improved during and after their visit for a few days.

Hi Doepsmc,

I just wanted to reply to your question about suitability for young teenagers...

I was there for Whitsun week with my 11 and 13-year-olds and there weren't very many children of that age group (I expected it to be swarming with older children with it being school holidays). I would say that the overwhelming majority of children were under 10.

I remember chatting to a 16-year-old lad who had been joining in with the adult activities (football, etc) as there was not really anyone else for him to hang out with.

Therefore, I wouldn't personally recommend this hotel for young teenagers - but perhaps there would be more there in the main summer school holidays?

Hope this helps.

As advised I emailed the hotel yesterday to request our evening meal preference - I have received a confirmation email today from 'Daniel' to confirm we had been allocated time requested (8-9pm) and saying that they look forward to seeing us - quite impressed with prompt positive reply - so would recommend others do the same prior to visiting so at least you should get the time which would more suit your family needs.

Hi,

I have been reading this thread with interest

I have a few questions, if you don't mind .............

What is the sitting plans for lunch? Are there set times for this also?

Do they supply beach towels, to use around the pool?

Many thanks in advance

Thank you for your e-mail.
We're glad tp know that you're coming to join us for your holidays.
We do have two sittings for dinners on the main Restaurant for All Inclusive.
We'll do our best to accommodate you, according with your preferences, on the earlier sitting.

Hoping to hear from you soon,

KInd Regards,
Amélie

Reply from Complex asking to be put on the early sitting for Dinner. Not till October, so I cant see why they will try there best. Not unless they have had a lot of Requests Before Mine.

Please anyone that goes between now and End of August, Post your views and experiences on the Board.

Thanks

Kenny

Hi.
There aren't any sitting times for lunch.
When we went in May, there weren't any sitting times for dinner either and there wasn't a problem at all, so I can't see why they brought it in.
You can hire towels for around the pool.

Dean

I've spoke to a few people, including Reps that went in May and they said there were no problems that have been reported on Here, so I dont know what Changed to make people report such bad problems with Food and Sittings.

Hopefully it will all settle down.

Hi.
There aren't any sitting times for lunch.
When we went in May, there weren't any sitting times for dinner either and there wasn't a problem at all, so I can't see why they brought it in.
You can hire towels for around the pool.

Dean

I've spoke to a few people, including Reps that went in May and they said there were no problems that have been reported on Here, so I dont know what Changed to make people report such bad problems with Food and Sittings.

We went for 2 weeks on 17th May and there were 2 sittings for dinner, it just didn't seem to be strictly enforced until our last couple of days when the hotel got very very busy.

Light Green wristbands were early sitting and dark navy blue wristbands were late sitting.

Didn't matter at lunchtime and restaurant was never as busy at lunchtime.

Reps who have said there were no problems in may are lying. Every rep we spoke to while there in may agreed that the food was not up to scratch, including the rep who we filled in an official complaint with.