Praia Da Rocha info needed - Algarve/Portugal/Madeira/Azores Discussion Forum, Holiday Forums

Praia Da Rocha info needed

jwhiting

2009-07-20 14:51:59

Hi All,
It makes a change not to post on the USA forum!!!
As some of you may or may not my Wife have decided to hold fire on our annual Vegas trip until hopefully November and have been trying to find a decent cheap deal for September anywhere in the Med. Despite initial joy at some of the "cheap" prices being quoted on teletext holidays, unfortunately when converted to 2 sharing, transfers etc the prices have not been quite so good as initially thought, it is early September still after all. Bearing this in mind I have opted to look at destinations that the budget airlines fly to in the hope of coming up with a combined holiday booked seperately.

I have priced up a reasonably decent self catering deal to Praia Da Rocha which would fit our budget. I have been to the Algarve twice before, both times to Albuferia and enjoyed the holidays. I am aware that Praia Da Rocha is very built up and isn't going to provide any particular cultural element to a holiday, but for a 7 night sit around the pool/beach, eat and drink out in the evening type holiday I am hopeful it will fit the bill.

To help with our budgeting, is there anybody who has been recently able to give me the lowdown on general costs for the resort?

Beer prices (happy hour and not), main course prices (i.e. pizza or pasta), beach sun loungers/umbrella hire etc etc.

We won't be going mad on this holiday and will probably be getting some drinks in from supermarkets for evenings on the balcony or in the room but if we do head out it would be nice to get a rough idea. Also, any recommendations for restaurants and bars would be welcomed. I'm getting the impression we won't go wanting for Irish bars???

Finally, any thoughts on the Clube Praia Da Rocha? I know a friend who has been twice and liked it and whilst I appreciate it is nothing fancy and fairly basic as long as it is clean and has easy access to shops/restaurants/bars and the beach it will do me. Quoted price for the hotel alone is £181.00 for a one bedroom apartment for 7 nights, i.e. just shy of £26 a night. Reasonable value I thought for earlyish September?

Many thanks

jwhiting

2009-07-20 15:48:07

Re: Praia Da Rocha info needed

Make that £163.00 for 7 nights at the Clube Praia Da Rocha. Found a better deal on http://www.booking.com. :tup

jwhiting

2009-07-21 08:58:58

Re: Praia Da Rocha info needed

The silence is defeaning :rofl

Just to update I have now booked the flights to Faro on Easyjet so we are committed to the Algarve and are very much looking forward to our third trip there. The Clube Praia Da Rocha is booked also, but is only guaranteed by credit card and can be cancelled without any penalty upto two days before we go. I will continue the hunt for a hotel, but if there is nothing to compare in terms of value we are more than happy to stick with this property. The reviews are, shall we say, very up and down!!!

Any comments on the questions asked above would be appreciated still...

Cheers
Ju

SomersetSuzie

2009-07-21 09:08:23

Re: Praia Da Rocha info needed

If is definitely Praia Da Rocha you want, have a look at the Casino or Oriental - you can just walk onto the beach from their own private gates. Lovely pools and views of that fantasric beach! Might cost a bit more than the one you were looking at but I am sure that you will be glad you paid the extra when you are there!

jwhiting

2009-07-21 09:32:25

Re: Praia Da Rocha info needed

Thanks Suzie.

Unfortunately as we are trying to do this as cheaply as possible in the hope of heading to Vegas in November those properties are working out way too expensive. The Casino is 200e+ a night, whilst the Oriental doesn't even have availability. I agree, both look stunning but I have to be realistic especially if we go self catering and try and keep the hotel cost down to a minimum so we have spending money available whilst over there.

It doesn't have to be Praia Da Rocha, but certainly the Clube was one of the cheapest deals for our dates and that is why we have opted for the resort as things stand currently. I'm not against another trip to Albufeira, but my Wife would like to try somewhere else.
It really is just a week cheapo, as long as there is a good beach and places to eat and drink we really don't mind.

AlanAFC

2009-07-23 21:28:41

Re: Praia Da Rocha info needed

Hi jw,
We stayed just outside Praia da rocha in May.If you want to go self catering try the Terracos do Vau in Praia do Vau,it is a small resort but is very friendly and has a great beach.You can walk along the cliff top to PDR in 10/20 mins,we had our two young son's with us so 20 mins.PDR was fine,plenty of places to eat and drink,plus a superb beach.There was a nice little bar as you got into PDR that was doing pints for 1 euro until about 8pm,next door to a restaurant called Ju.
We walked past the Club Praia da Rocha one day(half of it is shut down),reminded me of the tower block I used to live in when I lived in Lambeth many years ago!There are nicer places to stay in that area.
Thomsons do the Terracos,popular with Portuguese people as well, and the bar was a great place in the evening to meet other English and locals.Would go back again.
Hope that helps.
Alan

jwhiting

2009-07-24 10:14:57

Re: Praia Da Rocha info needed

Cheers for that Alan.

The property looks very nice but again it is too expensive for our budget trip. Thomson want £330 for the 7 nights which is over double what we are paying at the Clube Praia Da Rocha. I appreciate your comments on the Clube and I'm not surprised, it does look very blocky but with a trip to Vegas planned for November as well we are trying to keep costs down as much as possible when in the Algarve.
To be honest I am seeing a lot of indifferent reviews across the board in the Algarve so I think I'll stick with the Clube and hope for the best.

Thanks for the tip for 1euro pints. That's what I like to hear and next to a restaurant called Ju, which is my name....well shortened. ALso realised the other night that England play Croatia when we are over there, so that should be a good night.

Thanks again
Ju

AlanAFC

2009-07-24 17:16:42

Re: Praia Da Rocha info needed

You'll have a good time jw,and there will be no problems seeing the England game.The only English type pub(most of the tourists in PDR are Irish) we found in PDR was called the Red Lion.They were showing Sunderland v Pompey while we were there.
This family turned up and all 5 of them were wearing Sunderland shirts,they looked like a walking packet of sweets!
If you want to get out of PDR one evening would definetly recommend the Jacaranda in Praia do Vau,1euro a pint until 7pm,beach views and great food.The English owner is a really friendly guy and is a mine of information about the local area.
Getting jealous here!

Alan

Algarve/Portugal/Madeira/Azores Discussion Forum

Post a Reply

Get the best deals!

from our cruise, ski and holiday partners