Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel Vilamoura in Algarve, Portugal

Alfred from ILFORD reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"We have been to this hotel before and we have always found it very congenial. The staff are extremely helpful and friendly (with the possible exception of one or two in reception who could be quite steely). The new restaurant manager in particular, Tiago Pais, was a delightful young man who, when we told him we were vegetarians, could not possibly have been more helpful.

The last time we were here, although the breakfast buffet was very well-stocked, as it was again this time, we found the quality of the other meals of a very low standard. This year they must have changed the chef(s) because the food has improved enormously. We stayed on a B&B basis but if the cost had been a bit lower we would have eaten in the hotel throughout.

The rooms are clean, spacious and well-provided although perhaps beginning to show signs of needing a bit of refurbishment. The sea view rooms have spacious balconies which in the winter sunshine can be very pleasant (but we didn't see much of it this time). On arrival we had a very big problem with the definition of 'sea-view'! There are rooms at the side of the hotel which they refer to as 'side sea-view' and if you have not actually specified 'FULL sea-view' that is where you'll be put. The description 'sea-view' is not enough. After a great deal of protest, an hour's haggling and a great reluctance on the part of hotel reception we were finally given a full sea-view room, which we imagined we had contracted for in the first place. The hotel is within spitting distance of a broad sandy beach - and that's a very short spit, but although the large marina is just around the corner, there is actually very little to do in Vilamoura unless you gamble - there is a fairly large casino right next door to the hotel - or unless you play golf, which a large proportion of hotel guests actually do. There are many restaurants in the vicinity but the expensive Euro makes them very pricey, especially those around the marina.

Our main problem, not having hired a car, was the horrendous cost of public transport on the Algarve, which easily surpassed London rates. A one and half mile bus journey cost £1.90 single, and the return trip into Albufeira for the two of us, about 12 miles, weighed in at an enormous £22! It was almost cheaper to take a taxi and in fact for the shorter journeys it actually was. When we worked out our costings for transport and added in the taxi transfers to and from the airport (about £30 each way) it would definitely have been cheaper, and certainly more convenient, to have hired a car."

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GEORGINA from POOLE reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"Very nice hotel have stayed in this hotel several times .The rooms with the balconys are very large with good sea views. Very close to the beach good for walking.Very close to the Casino where they always have a live show which is first class.The food is good and the entertainment is fine.You have to pay to use the internet which i think should be free and you have to pay to use the spa."

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Margaret from Tavira reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"Our 'superior' room was quite spacious with comfortable easy chairs.The balcony was very large and sea view from our room was excellent. The hotel gardens are rather small, but it is practically on the beach.
The dining room serves an excellent buffet dinner at a very reasonable price. The house wine is also well priced.
The main drawback was that the hotel was 90% occupied by noisy golfers at this time."

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Christopher from Newent reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"It would have been nice to have had complimentry coffee/tea making facilities in room."

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Raymond from Lagos reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"Very courteous staff. Hotel room spotlessly clean. Food very good although vegetables lacked variety. Room had a lovely sea view and good balcony facilities."

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Angela from surrey reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"Nice Hotel, just across the road from the beach. Good value for money, and close to the marina, with its restaurants and bars.Thoroughly enjoyed our week."

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barbara from Elstree reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"Disappointed with the hotel - we were not bothered about a seaview - however we did expect a balcony which we did not have - the first morning at breakfast was manic - every table was either occupied or full of dirty crockery - we managed to find a table for two at the very back of the restaurant that we had to request cleaning and crockery for. Didn't improve much for the rest of the week, even though we tried different times. Cleaning wasn't brilliant - rather hit and miss. We have been to Vilamoura several times but would not return to this hotel"

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David from Glasgow reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"The hotel was good, it suited us and what we were looking for on a short break"

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Malcolm from Scarborough reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"We had a great time the Hotel was Excellent. Great room over looking the sea. Service was excellent. Staff friendly."

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Margaret from Hawick reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"the rooms were very clean and staff very polite and helpful.the breakfasts were a bit kaotic due to the amount of people arriving at the same time. the reception areas were noisy due to the amount of golfers waiting to be transported. overall we would go back to this hotel as the atmosphere was very relaxing. A bit disappointed at having to pay for indoor pool!"

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Barry from Weston Turville reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"The room was the best situated we have had in five visits - better than when I booked myself. We know the hotel well but it is now specializing in golf breaks. Private visitors we spoke to were disappointed as you need to be fairly tolerant about the foyer being regularly crowded with arriving/departing golf parties and the fairly noisy nights as the revelers return from local bars and clubs. It suits us for the purpose of our visit, we shall stay there again and will book through you."

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Karen from Woodford Green reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"good hotel in a great location"

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Kim from Brentwood reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"Great hotel, on beach and 5 mins to marina."

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Kim from Brentwood reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"Have just returned from a girlie weekend, everything was fantastic - weather, hotel, beach, restaurants, bars, location. Hotel was right on the beach and just 5 mins stroll to marina where there are numerous bars and restaurants. Hotel room does not have tea or coffee facilities but did have a fridge and electric rings. When we got to our room we found it did not have a balcony so we upgraded at 10 euros per night to have partial sea view with a balcony."

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Alfonso from Watford reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"Disco opposite the hotel that played booming and I mean BOOMING music till 7 am every morning! Not good!! I like going out but that really wasn't on!!! STAY CLEAR OF THIS HOTEL UNLESS YOU CAN SLEEP THROUGH ANYTHING or if you don't mind NOT SLEEPING. Hope you don't think I had a bad time but I like my sleep !!!!!

Marina & beach fantastic. Hotel not great ( 3 stars no way a 4). And the music just ruined it for everybody."

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Karen from Nantwich reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"The Hotel itself is lovely, its typical of a central european hotel chain. Its cleanliness and standards are extremely high. We stayed at the beginning of September and even though the hotel was less busy than peak times an effort was made to provide entertainment.
The breakfast, rooms, staff and facilities were excellent and its central location enabled myself and my friends to be able to move easily between the beach, the hotel and the marina for food and shopping."

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Ravi from Stockport reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"I booked Half Board for a 3 day trip for myself and my better half. We had a wonderful time, the hotel was excellent, staff were very friendly, helpful and accommodating and food choice and quality excellent, in particular the evening meals."

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John from Grantham reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"We had a great holiday- the weather, as always in the Algarve , was hot and sunny for 99% of the time.The food in Ampalius was first class and the waiters and waitresses friendly and efficient.
My travel companion had a slight accident in the bathroom when he fell and pulled the shower, shower curtain and rail off the wall. The hotel staff had it fixed as good as new within an hour and a half-amazing for Portuga(we love it)."

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Sarah from Bristol reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"Having read other reviews we were suprised by the excellent standard of the Hotel and the friendliness of the staff. My husband and I had a four night stay for our tenth wedding anniversary without the kids and would definatley reccommand the hotel and resort. The pool was perfect and as we had no children with us apprecaited that the main pool and childrens pool were seperated.
We also used the Spa having two hot stone massages that we amazing.
We would definatly recommend the hotel and it's superb location in a great resort.
With regards to other reviews we have read concerning noise from the Nikki Beach club we found there was no noise and it was not an acyual night club."

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Mark from Liverpool reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"Stayed there before, will stay again. Excellent hotel in an excellent location"

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Bradley from Ascot reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

"The hotel was in a great location- to sum it up everything from start to finish was perfect, facilities, staff, breakfast, rooms, etc etc perfect! I would recommend this hotel to every age group from couples to families- the entertainment at the pool during the day was great. The only negative was the bar pool- not the friendlsiest staff but not the end of the world!!

Great holiday!!"

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n from Sutton Coldfield reviewed the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel

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