We stayed in a one bedroom villa which was very clean and a maid came in daily. The kitchen had everything we could need, although we didnt really use this as we ate out all most every night. Our villa was quite near to the strip, opposite the reception, you can hear some noise from the strip but nothing excessive. I would warn anyone though that our bedroom was up a very steep staircase which gave is quite dangerous for little ones and the beds are extremely uncomfortable so be warned back sufferers!
The reception area is very nice and the staff are very pleasant and helpful, you can hire a safe deposit box for your stay which we did and you also need to leave a deposit for your villa also, so have some euros handy when you arrive.

We stayed at the vilanova the first week in october this year and thought it was situated in an ideal spot for shops restaurants and transport to other attractions.

The pool was always busy and unfortunately the entire week we were there we did not manage to bag a sunbed, I think it would also have been nicer if the pool was a heated one.

The apartment we stayed in although small and basic was quite clean, although the loo was a bit grubby looking and when we had been there a few days it was wise to keep the bathroom door closed cos there was a definite odour of sewarage from the toilet, oh and the double bed was really really hard. If you haven't got a bad back you will have when you get home.

The Thomson staff were fabulous and my daughter took an instant liking to Claire in particular, however, we found all the staff were pleasant , polite and very helpful , and it was great to know that they were in the reception till gone 9pm at night to answer any questions we had.

Although we didn't take part in a lot of the entertainmenmt offered as our baby was usually fast asleep before it got too late, what we did see we thought was great. The reps really threw themselves in wholeheartedly and a great time was had by all.


The excursions laid on by Thmson we thought were also well worth the money and a trip to the Zoo marine is a must. The dolphins are fantastic!

If you want to go on a boat trip though and you have young children I would say opt for only half a day as it can be a bit boring for them , all day on boat in scorching heat, then a ten minute rough, small boat trip(scary)into pitch black caves and finally left for two hours on a beach while you have a sardine and melon bbq cooked for you by the crew.

On the whole though we thoroughly enjoyed our week at this resort and I would have no hesitation recommending this hotel or resort to others and would probably visit again at some point in the future.

The Vilanova Apts were an excellent choice for us as we had the 16month old terror wih us and eating out can be a problem. We fed him most nights before we went out and he usually slept during our meal.

The room was clean and spacious. We were on the 4th floor of the main block and had fabulous views over the pool and beyond out over the Atlantic. There was a little noise but I would still recommend if you are going here then request a a room in block 4 facing the pool.

The location was perfect, right in the heart of 'The Strip'. I would recommend you go to the Supermarket on the main road which is about 100 yards away to the right rather than the one on site. It is much cheaper and has an excellent choice.

The bar staff were OK but as prices were a bit expensive we usually drank elsewhere.

The thomson team put a lot of effort into the daytime entertainment and they have water basketball and a quiz every day. Evening entertainment was usually some cabaret acts like a magician or parrot show or dancers. Nothing great but the kids disco before it was good.

I could not fault any of the Thomson team for their efforts
Yes I would definately visit the Vilanova again.

Hiya we stayed here for 10 nights ,5 adults 3 kids ,we had 1 bedroom villas ,near the pool thanks for that.

Oh and next to each other ,couldnt fault the complex,great kids loved it,reps fantastic,kids clubs great,bar staff miserable,kept talking in Portuguese.

Bar food not very interesting very bland,evening entertainment naff, I preferred the reps to be funnier,Tucker just seems to go on and on does he ever sleep very funny.

I tell you what I wouldnt want to be a rep they definitely work hard. Cleaners very pleasent always smiling, rooms cleaned every day which makes a nice change.

Oh yes could do with playing bingo and a happy hour between 3-4 or 4-5,and charge 1 euro a strip. Surprising how many people would join in, and what goes in goes out,get rid of the quiz as not many people join in, and who wants to win a bottle of disgusting wine,not the reps fault though.

They could do with some more funds for decent prizes,hehehehe! Anyway, all in all we all enjoyed it maybe back some time in the future.

We stayed in a two bedroom villa, which had lots of space for my two little boys to run around.

The lounge had patio doors that opened onto a terrace area, with tables and chairs, which led to a grassy area then the pool,(which is very cold). There is also a childrens pool for the little ones, and two play areas, one with lots of sand.

The resort bars are a little expensive, but the Casablanca bar has childrens entertainment between 20.30hrs and 21.30hrs,

Thanks to Tucker, See-Anne, and Ian the entertainment reps, we had a great time. There is lots to do everyday, from water basketball to bingo and football.

The hotel is right on the "strip", consequently there is a lot of noise unless you are in block 1.

Unfortunately, block 1 backs on to the main dual carriageway so you can hear the Le Mans 24hr race all day long and more so all night.

The hotel is clean, rooms are very nice although the higher you go the smaller the balconies, therefore the studios for 2 have a balcony 4 times the size of the tooms for 4!!!!.

The hotel staff(Portugese) are the most miserable crowd of people I have ever had the misfortune to meet, especially the pool bar staff. The food and drink both in the casablanca and pool bar are a total rip off. There is various happy hours (not for the staff though) and you can get 2 for 1 drinks.

The Thomson Staff/reps, are brilliant and cant do enough for you, we had a group booking of 3 rooms, on arrival we were met and told that 1 room is in another block but that its "in hand" 3 days later we were found by the rep and told that the room has been sorted, she wasnt reminded by us and did it all herself, excellent.

The kids club reps are great and even came to see the kids off when we had to leave. Last but NOT least, Tucker, what a star, great entertainer, great with the kids and all around good guy. entertained us all by the pool all day long, pity his side kick couldnt put as much effort in as him.

We're not long back from this Hotel. I'd agree with the first post on this one, the staff around the pool are miserable and I thought the food and drink were really pricey. Don't come to Portugal thinking you'll get a good deal self-catering. With food for breakfast and dinner bought from the local supermarket (across the road from the strip, clean, fresh fruit, most things you'd need but again grumpy staff) and lunch from the pool bar your costs will soon mount.

Again though, echoing the 1st post, the Thomson reps were amazing.Nothing seemed too much trouble for them and the Kids Reps were fantastic.My wee girl loved it and they treated the kids very well for 2hrs every day (price included) except Tue-ideal for chill out adult time.
We were on the 2nd floor of the hotel overlooking the pool.It was noisy.What with other residents having full-on arguments at 2am around the pool, some drunk and peeing in the pool, other having a wee poolside party till all hours, and those coming back from the clubs or entertainment and going past our room (tiled floors,bare walls-large amount of echo!!) we were wakened several nights in a row.

Would I go back? Yes, but I might be tempted to upgrade and get a villa to see what thats like.
One other thing to watch out for though-the ticket touts on the strip. They push scratch cards into your hands claiming you win a star prize which must be collected there and then. What they dont tell you is they take you to a secret location for a 2-4hr presentation on timeshare resorts! They are operating illegally on the strip, do not go near them, although missing them is quite hard cause they seem to be everywhere!

We arrived back from Portugal and the Vilanova yesterday.

Our apartment was excellent, we had booked a studio apartment but once there we were allocated a one bedroom which was a nice suprise. The room was very clean and the cleaners came in every day. The pool bar is quite expensive.

The location of the Vilanova is excellent as it's right in the centre of everything. But saying that, our room overlooked the strip which basically meant that any sleep was impossible until after 4am when the two bars opposite closed down. In the booking I asked for a pool view on a low floor but ended up on the third floor overlooking the strip.
We will not be visiting the Vilanova again as I do like to sleep when i'm on holidays, when I asked to be moved I was told that it was impossible apart from 3 days before we came home.

The Vilanova Apartments and Villas are great for a family holiday.

We have just arrived back and found the place to be very clean and spacious. We stayed in a 1 bedroom apartment and there were wardrobes in the bedroom and the lounge which allowed us plenty of space for our holiday clothes!!

The kitchen is well equipped and you could cook a full meal in it-not that you'd want to with all the various restaurants around!

The pool and area around it were cleaned every morning and people didn't rush out in the early hours to get towels on the sun-beds-it was quite civilised-and there is such a lot of grass area around the pool that you could just put your towel on the grass or lie on a lilo.

The pool bar staff were friendly enough, but prices were expensive-if they would just reduce the prices a bit I think they would get a lot more business.

Our room was cleaned every day and the cleaners were very nice.

The Thomson reps were very good with everyone, especially the children. However they weren't pushy-trying to get you to join in if you didn't want to- and didn't try to sell you excursions too much.

We would recommend the Vilanova and would consider going back there again.

We have just got home from our holiday we all had a really good time.

We stayed in a 1 bedroom apartment over looking the pool area. The room was really nice, clean with plenty of space and had not long been newly renevated. Cleaner came every day.

Massive pool and sitting area, pool had 3 diving boards with plenty of fun and games going on through the day for the kids.

Kids reps were very good also had an extra evening club Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun night 8pm-10pm for 3euro so you could have a few hours in the evening to relax my 8 year old loved it.

Pool bar and Casablanca bar expensive better to bring your own drinks round the pool.

Found the staff in the bars miserable and rude too. Apart from that no complaints, good location right on the strip would definitely go back.