Hi, we have just returned from a fantastic honeymoon in Vilamoura. We stayed in the 5 star Tivoli Marinotel. It certainly deserves it's rating, as it is an excellent hotel. It is based in a perfect location in Vilamoura, with the front of the hotel on the marina, and the back of the hotel on the fabulous beach. The hotel rooms are very spacious with fantastic views of the Atlantic (we recommend you request a sea-view). The rooms were spotless - it seemed like everytime we left the room it was cleaned again!! The staff in the Tivoli cannot do enough for you, but at the same time it is very relaxed. We were greeted with Champagne and roses on arrival, which we thought was a lovely touch. The pool area is absolutely fantastic. The pool itself is huge, and is based in lovely gardens, with lots of birds chirping and flying about. It is extremely comfortable and clean. You are given free towels every day (plus there is a huge amount of sunloungers and umbrella's so you need not worry about not getting a bed during the day), and you can even bring your towels to the beach if you want. The pool bar is very comfortable and serves lovely snacks/drinks and milkshakes, and the staff are extremely friendly.

The resort of Vilamoura is very pretty with the massive marina being the centre of things. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, serving everything from European to Asian cuisine. The "19th Hole" on the marina is lovely (near the Tivoli) "Bella Italia", which serves lovely Italian food, "Marine Pizza" and "Tai Tai", a chinese restaurant are all worth a visit. We did however find that the best restaurants are off the Marina. "Don Miguel", "Bella Docca Vita", "A Cataplana", "Concorde" (extremely reasonable), "The Gateway to India" are all worth looking out for. A good spot for lunch is "O Leme" on the Marina. They do lovely toasties/sandwiches and salads. A nice bar for a few beer and some great cocktails is "Pacifico Bar". It is in a small square beside "Concorde, and A Cataplana" restaurants, and it is worth finding. Al the owner is a lovely guy, who will chat away, and give you any advise on the area of Vilamoura, and beyond!

I must mention a restaurant called "Van Gogh". It is about 4 miles from Vilamoura up in the hills, so you will need to get a taxi, and a reservation for a window seat, as it is extremely popular. Try to go in time for the sunset, as it is a beautiful sight. You can see Vilamoura and Albufeira from the restaurant, it really is fantastic, and as for the food, it's brilliant!! Be sure to try the Arrabiatti. It's out of this world!!

If you feel like it a nice walk, you should visit the traditional fishing village of Quateira. It's about 2 miles from Vilamoura, and you can walk there via the beach. There are some lovely bars for a nice cool beer (which you will need if it is as hot as it was the last few days of our honeymoon!).

Albufeira is only 10 miles away, and will cost about 18 euro by taxi (there is also a bus that runs on the hour), if you want to do some shopping. You will also appreciate how clean and pretty Vilamoura is if you go there!!

We found Vilamoura to be a perfect holiday destination if you are looking for a quieter holiday, with excellent restaurants. The Tivoli Marinotel guarantees you a fantastic stay, and hopefully some day we will return.

Perfect - The hotel is situated at the end of the fabulous Vilamoura marina with one side of the building facing the marina (bars,restuarants and fantastic boats) and the other facing out to sea across the pools and beech (quieter therefore more suitable for familys)

Breakfast offers the most comprehensive choice i've experienced no matter what time you attend there is still a full variety (even at closing time it looks like they have just opened)

Entertainment evolves around buffet type special evenings a couple of times a week, food at which is good. A la carte restuarant is as good as it gets, waiters with white gloves-no prices on female menu- priced accordingly.

Hotel staff are polite and all areas are maintained to a real 5 star standard. Rooms are comfortable with very little noise from adjoining rooms.

There are more than enough loungers and parasols around the 2 pools (probably because loungers can only be left unattended for 2 hours). Childrens pool more for toddlers with good pool bar menu.

As our daughter was only 2 this hotel was perfect however i wouldn't like to take an older child because there isn't alot for them to do.

The only bar open at night is for adults only, which ment we had to sit in the lounge area outside the bar.

For lunch or dinner there are numerous restuarants around the marina, the first is 100 yards from the hotel with a choice of over 50 within a mile. Everything from a top class restuarant to a snack type bar. The only thing this hotel lacks is entertainment for children - but as the wife says children and 5 star don't always mix.

We have stayed in this hotel four times and are due to go back again in July, I agree with other reviewers, it is not a 5* hotel, it is a 4* but it is an excellent base in Vilamoura.

Free bus shuttles to the golf course, the waiters come around the pool and ask if you wish to have snacks, as well as bringing them to you. You still get chocolates on your pillow after the bed has been turned down and the restaurant is also very nice (see my priority here is chocolate!).

My only problem is that for entertainment they carry out bingo over a badly set up microphone which interferes with the relaxing at the pool on some days. We will continue to go back each year, it is a lovely place to start off the summer.

Me and my husband have just got back from this gorgeous place just a few days ago! We went for a week on our own without the kids!

The Marinotel is a 5* hotel right on the Marina in Villamoura. The marina at the front and the beach at the rear. If you go here, have a room overlooking the sea, its beautiful, especially waking up to the sound of the waves!!! Heaven!

What a fantastic hotel - two excellent restaurants (one silver service, very posh, but brilliant), Bar, two outside pools, 1 indoor, health club with jacuzzi/sauna/solarium/steam room, sanded volleyball court/putting green/golf practice net thing (sorry not into golf)/running circuit/kiddies stuff/lake surrounding the gardens/outside bars etc, etc!!!!

One of these places where the staff cannot do enough for you! Bed covers pulled back at night, a chocolate left by the side of your bed! No need to pack beach towels, they are provided!

It was just a completely wonderful place! Probably more expensive than your normal holiday accommodation, but if anyone is looking for a special treat for someone or special occasion, go here, it is fabulous!

Villamoura itself is so pretty and what a lovely atmosphere about the place, even though it was October, people STILL friendly and helpful, it was lovely. Definitely going back!!!