we have just returned from the vilanova nad we had a great week, the weather was in the 40's and the accommodation was good.
the room we got was a studio, but it had all that you would need for a self catering week-we only needed a few plates and a corkscrew.
the only down side was no air conditioning, but there was a fan, and the holiday was a cheap, last minute affair, so cant complain.
the staff are good, especially the thomsons team, who work 24 hours a day it seems. the kiddies disco was a big hit with our three year old, and the entertainment was acceptable, lets face it, these are not west end productions!!
overall, i would go again without question, as this is nthe third time here so far, all good.

THE ONLY DOWN SIDE IS THE STAFF IN THE KEBAB SHOP THAT IS DIRECTLY AT THE BACK OF THE VILANOVA RECEPTION. THEY ARE DECEITFUL, AND WILL NOT ONLY GIVE YOU THE WRONG FOOD, BUT WILL ACT IN A HIGHLY ARROGANT MANNER TOWARD YOU, WHILST PATRONISING THE LOCAL PORTUGESE. THEN THEY SIMPLY TAKE YOUR CHANGE AND THROW IT INTO THEIR 'TIP' JAR, TRYING TO EMBARRASS YOU INTO LEAVING A TIP.

AVOID THIS KEBAB SHOP AT ALL COSTS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!

A bit melodramatic i know, but they really did widdle me off. cheeky buggers.

If you have children this place is a must! Kids loved it, will definately be going back. Location is perfect, right in the middle of the strip.
We were in block 1, furthest away from strip so quiet at night. Was a bit disapointed at first because we requested a pool view. But after thinking about asking for another apartment, we realised our terrace was probably better for getting late suntrap 6pm ish when kids having a rest. Only gripe about the apartment was the seating in livingroom area, most uncomfortable I've sat in especially when the tv was high up on the wall. Getting refurbed for next year I believe with air con so should be better. Cleaners came every day.
Pool area is superb, plenty of room because of large grass area. Sunbed police(rep) were out every morning around 9am lifting towels which I thought was good. You could stroll down about 10am and still get a sunbed.
3 diving boards were great fun for the kids and me! Pool bar I thought was reasonably priced, nice toasties!
Kids clubs were a godsend, our 5,6 and 9 year old kids loved them,all the reps were superb.
Night time club especially worthwhile, 3 nights a week to eat out without kids was great! just make sure your sharp putting their names down the night before.
Dan the man and Hyper Hannah were great entertainers, don't know where they get the energy every day and night. We went to the Cassablanca bar every night for the kids entertainment, drink prices I thought were pretty good, 4.80 euros for a pint and glass of wine.
All in all this place is superb, perfect for families of more than 4 like ours.

We loved the Vilanova and would recommend highly to any family wanting a fantasic holiday!!

We had 2 x studio apartments, in block 4 facing the pool and they were lovely. Really big, really clean, excellent balconies and well equipped. No noise at night. We hired a fan to keep the air moving as the weather was really hot and lovely! The rooms were cleaned daily and we had no complaints whatsoever.

Vilanova was brilliantly placed on the strip. We ate out every night, there is plently of variety and food is reasonably priced. Highly recommended is The Big Shanghai Chinese by The Praisio apartments, and the steakhouse in the square in the old town, ate at both places twice. Also enjoyed Lisa's pizza and pasta, just outside the Vilanova and the American grill up the top of the strip.

We loved the old town, and the little road train that took us there and back.

Beach lovely, although the pool at the complex was so nice we spent most of the time there.

Pool really big and with lots of space to spread out. Entertainers around the pool daily, with games and quizzes and music and fun!! Oh the prestige of winning a Superfamily T shirt or towel (adults) or Tompson the Dog medal (kids) and the ensuing prize presentation ceremony!! :)

Evening entertainment mostly good, especially the kids disco.
Kids clubs varied and well organised and my little one, aged 7, enjoyed them.

Special mention to Dan The Man, one of the entertainers. He truly is a talented young man and made average entertainment top class. Kids loved him, Adults loved him. You cant miss him!!

Both the 7 year old and my teenage girls 13 & 14 had a great time and met lots of friends. The family and parenting standard was excellent, certainly not chavvy or full of rowdy, uncontrolled kids. Was very friendly and safe and we met some lovely people.

We went to Aqualand and Zoomarine wich were good.

Our highlight was the Tompson beach bbq day. It was such a great day, Pirate ship along the coast to a secluded beach for a bbq and games and swimming. We wanted it to go on forever!! BBQ consisted of Pork steaks and sardines with bread and salad, plently of it, but small kiddies may be better with a packed lunch!!

Was a brilliant holiday and we would definately go back, we didnt see anywhere that we would rather have stayed and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly!!

Enjoy!!

On arrival the Thomson coach stops right outside the apartments which are located midway down the Strip.

Check in was swift and efficient.A 50 euro deposit is required,and safety deposit boxes are available for 5 euros per week plus a 15 euro deposit.

The reception and all the apartment blocks I saw appeared to be wheelchair accessable.

We stayed in a one bedroom apartment in Block 4 . The room was clean and tidy and was well equipped( full size cooker,microwave,kettle,toaster and t.v)

Block 4 is the one that backs onto the strip,and while its great for watchin the world go by,its not as good when drunks are shouting at 3 in the morning!

There is a snack bar by the pool that serves all the usual stuff. It tasted ok but it was not cheap and the service was slow.

Entertainment was provided by Thomsons reps and in the daytime was centered mainly in and around the pool.There was also a Creche and Kiddies entertainment although I dont know if its any good because the youngest in our party was 14.

The pool area is excellent! There is a small pool for the nippers and then a large pool for everyone else.The large pool is 1.2m at the shallow end going deeper than 3m by the diving boards.Sunloungers are fixed to the floor to stop people from taking them away.Loungers were usually available,but if not ,there is a large grassy area around the pool where you can sit with lilos.

If you are a fun loving family person then I recommend this complex.

We had a lovely Holiday and are planning to return

This is our 2nd visit to the Vilanova, and was probably the best holiday we've had. The Thomson team cannot do enough for you here, they are a credit to the company!

The resident entertainers (Hyper Hannah, Dan the Man, & Cheeky Charlie) here are fantastic, and work round the clock to keep the whole family entertained. The team organise daily activities in and around the pool(although really its far too cold to get in it)! Which included a splash of the day comp, this involved jumping off the top diving board to see who could make the biggest splash, which is highly amusing!

I must mention reps versus guests, this is a weekly comp held in the pool, in which various games are played, this is great fun to take part in or to watch. We stayed for 2 weeks, and both weeks the guests won!!! (If any of the reps read this, you're all pants)!!!!!

The kidzone reps are fantastic, and also work really hard. My kids didnt want to leave!

The staff at the pool bar were slightly more cheerful this time, the bar staff in the hotel bar are all really nice apart from 1, both times we've stayed here I'm yet to see this guy crack a smile!

The rooms are kept clean, with towels and bedding changed regularly.

I have to agree with everything that Gemma has said. This was a great holiday and a great hotel if you have children or want to be in the thick of things. Not the place to go for a quite holiday!

We stayed in the apartments and they are very large and the cleanest apartmentI have ever stayed in. Even the cleaners had a smile and loved chating to the children. Only draw back is we were right at the front of the hotel in block 4 and it is VERY noisy at night and you cannot have the windows open if you want to sleep. although this does quieten down at about 1am.

The entertainment reps are great and work really hard to ensure you have a good time. The kids zone is also excellent, my son age 5 did not want to come home!

I would recommed this hotel if you want to be in the thick of things!

Excellent holiday, what more can we say? It wouldn't have been what it was if it wasn't for everyone there. The hotel staff were excellent as were each and every member of the Thomson team...

The reps: Sarah, Kate, Chris and Alwen, The Creche Reps: Nana Moon, Mel and Rachel, The Kidzone Reps: Tommy Tomato, Loony Lindsey, Loopy Lindsey, Angelina Ballerina, Happy Helen and Juicy Lucy and of course the fantastic Entertainers: 'Del Boy, Loopy Lou and Crazy Jay(Hope I remembered everyone).

My children had a brilliant time at the Tots club and myself and my partner enjoyed all the daytime and evening entertainment. Nothing was too much for any of the staff and they really are a credit to Thomson.

We will definitely return next year!! Thanks to everyone.

Accommodation

I travelled to the Vilanova with my partner and our 4 children, whose ages are 5, 10, 14 and 17. This was our second visit, having been to this hotel last year.
We were in a Villa, which I would definitely recommend paying the extra for- we asked for a Villa in a quiet location and couldn't hear a thing at night. It was situated right near the pool and meant I could easily pop backwards and forwards to the room.
I would describe the villas are slightly old fashioned but they are kept very clean. They have patio doors which open up to a patio area, which is great for sitting outside to have a drink in the evening

Pool

My children loved the pool as it has two diving boards, so they had loads of fun jumping off. We did have to get up about 9ish to ensure we got sunbeds. Plenty of activities throughout the day to keep everyone entertained. Poolside bar with loads of tempting food. Football pitch and tennis court, which occupied the older kids

Location

The Vilanova is in an excellent location, a few yards and you are on 'The Strip' which has plenty going on. This is where my 17 year old spent most of his evening, trying out the various bars and clubs with a group of friends!!! I did find there were not many bars which had anything going on for the younger kids, therefore most of our evenings were spent at the hotel's 'Casablanca' bar. The entertainment wasn't fantastic - it was the typical sort of shows you tend to get abroad and once the shows finish at 11, the bar tended to empty - a bit too early for our liking!!! However, the reps, in particular Adele and Lou did a great job of involving guests and getting the atmosphere going.
The old town is also worth a visit, a train runs regularly to take you to the old town. Loads of bars and shops.

All in all this was a fantastic holiday and I would certainly have no hesitation in returning

We arrived around midday and luckily our room was ready some people were told to wait until after 1pm. Also a deposit is required for each room and it depends what kind of room you are staying in as to how much so have euro's handy.

The room was basic but clean unfortunately no air conditioning but you can hire a fan from reception. It got a bit noisy at night but we found if we shut the bathroom door noise from the main strip was reduced.

The hotel is centrally located with plenty of restaurants to choose from.

The entertainment staff worked extremely hard throughout our 2 week stay especially Jay, Gemma and Adele. They provided entertainment around the pool throughout the day and in the evening in the Casablanca bar. There was a disco for the children then entertainment for the whole family until around 11pm the bar stayed open until 1am. Entertainment was varied but the 2nd week was the same as the 1st but we enjoyed it just the same. The rep show which is put on mid week was very entertaining and they put a lot of effort into the show.

We would definitely return to the Vilanova as we had a fab time.

I have been to this resort 3 times now, & would definately go back.

The villas are in the best possible location for all the night life! The staff are very friendly and the villas are clean!

The nightlife in Sao Joao is fabulous & Im sure Ill be back many times over the years!