I think its a good idea to book a late checkout, I did this when I booked so I am assuming we will be entitled to AI until 6pm.

Its riddicules that AI stops 11am on day of departure, the last 2 years I have been away we have had rubbish flights at have not been picked up until 11pm pr so and AI did not stop.

We're going to book to go there for next year in June with First choice-There'll be myself my partner and 30month old son. Also my sister her partner and 24month old will be going. We'll be staying in seperate apartments.

Is anyone going about/been that time? What was the weather like?

I was going to go AI but after reading the reviews and most saying the AI wasnt very good Ive decided we'll go self catering-we'll prob eat out mostly but if we are in the hotel and are hungry could always use one of their restaurants.

Did any of you go self catering? The first choice website is showing only one type of apartment for self catering?

Is there only one type of room for self catering?

Sorry about all the questions!

Sarah.

Sarah there are 1 & 2 bed apartments, these are huge so you will have plenty of room, we also went self catering, though that was last year before all the changes.
There are not many resturants in walking distance of hotel but you can get a taxi to strip or old town, which we did most nights as it is nice to get away for a few hours.
It is a lovely hotel, don't let some of the recent reviews put you of, it was the best holiday we ever had hotel was amazing then, I am sure facilities are ten times better now.

Thank-you! It wasnt putting me off the place itself just putting me off spending the extra £400 to go all inclusive!

Are there any bus's or a Train station anywhere near the resort-they do a free shuttle bus into the town from the hotel too dont they?

Sarah.x.

Thank-you! It wasnt putting me off the place itself just putting me off spending the extra £400 to go all inclusive!

Are there any bus's or a Train station anywhere near the resort-they do a free shuttle bus into the town from the hotel too dont they?

Sarah.x.

At the bottom of the hill on the main road there are bus stops.

One direction will take you to Albufeira bus station and then onto Portimao and the other direction will take you to Faro Via Vilamoura.

Hi sarah, we too are going in June 2009 and I cannot wait. Cost an arm and a leg for 6 of us (me, my husband, 6 and 3 year old, and the grandparents/babysitters!) and we decided to go with the all inclusive purely because my children are so fussy when it comes to food its great to give them so much choice. I reckon SC will be better value for money as its a lot more to go AI.

This will be the third Holiday Village we have tried and I have never been disappointed.

Look forward to reading some more summer 08 reviews!

318 days to go!!

ashtonsmum i thought it was well worth all inclusive and have booked to go AI again next year, my 2 and a half year old ate so well this year she was never hungry, and if they dont like something they can just get something else. You will prob get the option to go AI when you check in i do think it is worth it. Its personal preference though i know.

Lex which other HV have you been to?

Thanks!

Was there alot there and what were the best places to visit? Are there many excursions?

We're only going to go for 1week, I would have liked 10days but they only do 1week or 2weeks-I think 2 weeks would be abit much with Ashton and my neice they'll be 2 & a half and 2.

I think we'd run out of things to do and end up bored and wanting to go home which will ruin it.

Sarah.x.

Zoomarine was great for young kids, ours loved it!!

Hi Sarahjane

We went to HV Majorca back in 2005 and HV Lanzarote June this year. Both really good holidays but especially loved it this year as have 2 kids now and my eldest was able to join in with kids clubs and they both loved kids village time.

Lanzarote is supposed to be the oldest one but you never would have known, really nice accommodation, great entertainment, near the beach, weather was amazing with a constant breeze (sometimes really strong), very clean and lovely food - what more can I say!

Portugal sounds even better, we were torn between Algarve and the one in Spain, maybe try that one next year. Its quite an expensive holiday but I think worth it.

Definitely going to head to Mexico HV when I think the kids are old enough for the long flight.

Apologies Paulajane for calling you sarahjane!

We were going to try a different HV next year but really did have such a good holiday this yr in the Algave HV we are going back there!! I think we will try another the year after. Thanks for your reply

just wondering if there is anyone going else going to hv algarve during august .only 5 days to go now then i can see for myself how good it really is

We have just returned from a 2 week AI holiday at the Algarve HV - 2 adults and 3 kids (8,6 and 1). I have to admit I was expecting the worst based on the reviews posted on this and other web sites over the past couple of months but the reality was very different. This is an excellent resort and we had a fantastic holiday.

We stayed in a one bedroomed apartment in the new Block 2 and the room was spotless, very spacious and had a great balcony. The steps/ramp up to Block 1 and the main pool area meant a bit of huffing and puffing with the buggy but the missus soon got the hang of it
The pool areas were great. Funnily enough after all hype over the new spash area our 2 eldest went on it for half a day early on in the holiday and weren't fussed about going back. The main pool seemed to much more attractive for them - i think this is because its near the shaded area with the pool tables and ice cream trolly where all their friends tended to congregate. Also, the main pool is huge and kids can take inflatables in with them.

With regards the food, we all felt it was pretty good to be honest based on the cross section of people they are trying to feed. Of course there are things to pick on but overall, we felt we had a reasonable choice (there was always fresh chicken and fish being cooked while you waited at lunch time and evenings) and it was always hot enough.

I was surprised to read about the comments regarding AI arrangements on the last day of the holiday.I didn't even know you had to do anything special to be able to get food and drink so I didn't and carried on as if it was a normal day up until we left at 17:30. There was no problem.

Hope everyone leaving soon has a great time I'm going to book for next year once i've finished typing this.

Happy to answer any questions.

See you on Thursday Crackerjack!

PhilyM wrote:

See you on Thursday Crackerjack!

Have a good journey PhilyM,see you there

Thanks for the info alanandmegan

We have just over 3 weeks to go <---- that will be me

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