Try page 6 of the uploads section in the photo gallery

Hi Lazy Binman,
Found them!! I was looking in the Portugal gallery! I see what you mean about the speed it's going up.

Hi Roswell

Just got back from Praia da Rocha after staying at the Plaza Real Apartments.

We had a fantastic time, weather was really hot!! Don't know if you have stayed there before? The apartments are fantastic and have everything you need and are really spacious. The complex is very clean and the staff are great. The only dissappointment was the entertainment or should I say the lack of entertainment. We were there for 14 days and the entertainment was Karaoke, a portuguese singer and a parrot show that was cancelled as the parrots were ill. Overall though I think its a great place to stay and everyone we spoke to thought it was great.

As promised I said I would let you know how the building works were coming on. I can honestly say that they were the quietest builders I have ever heard. What noise was made was barely heard and it did not in anyway disrupt our holiday. I was expecting to get there and find it dusty and noisy but this was not the case. It looks like they have just completed the foundations and starting to build up. The building works are very close to the Plaza Real. I have taken some photos but unfortunately my pc is not working and cannot download them (using a friends pc at the moment). However if you would like copies of the pictures you can email me direct and I can post them to you.

I spoke to the Thomson Rep to find out when the work would be completed and she basically said she knew nothing. So unfortunately I don't know what it will be like in September when you go.
We did have it in mind to change hotels when we first heard about the building work, but Im glad we didn't as you will find there is building work all over Praia da Rocha.

Overall, we had a lovely time and can honestly say that the building work did not affect our holiday in anyway. Praia da Rocha beach is absolutley beautiful and you won't be disappointed.

Hope this helps!!

Back to work tomorrow

Hi Velli,
I've sent you a private message (I hope!). Glad you had a good time.
Roswell

Hi Roswell

How did you get on at the Plaza Real and how bad was the building work??

Velli

I read in the local paper last week that some more work is due to take place over thewinter in Praia da Rocha but I didn't quite grasp the extent of it, sorry.

The road works in Praia da Rocha are now just east of the Oriental up to the Fort. The road is closed to traffic but it's possible to walk to the Fort.

Velli - have sent you a pm.

Glad to hear you had agood holiday Roswell. So have they finished the new build opposite the Solmonte Apartments yet ??

Hi picksandjean,
Sorry but I didn't see the Solmonte Apartments. Were the building works bad?

Hi Roswell
The building works were on the other side of the road from the Solmonte. Lazybinman posted a picture, and I wondered how far they had got with the newbuild.

Was in PDR last week so an update for those who may be interested:

There are significant roadworks (trenches dug, trees cut down) on the main road running all the way from the fort to the Hotel Algarve Casino. The section kept lengthening the whole time we were there though - I would guess that they will go as far as the junction near the Jupiter hotel. Road is closed from before the Casino (possibly further up now). Footpath mostly open both sides, but particularly poor from the Oriental down to the Fort (wheelchair users beware!). Work begins approx 0700 and can be very noisy! Any hotel along this road will be subject to intermittent noise. 'Main' strip from Jupiter westwards is not affected (at the moment anyway).

Building continues on the new hotel opposite the Jupiter - the whole concrete shell seems to be complete so noise may not be a huge issue anymore. Side sea view rooms will be overlooking the site.