Vila Gale Tavira

A few things let this place down. Room is a good size with fridge, balcony and bath, but also broken fittings and plastic mattress protectors that rustle. You have to book the spa (can usually do that for immediate use tho!) and women have to buy a swim cap for the pool (none of this is written down or explained anywhere, despite reception saying they did when I suggested they put this info in the room). Inside pool, 'jazzui' and 'turkish bath' (steam room) are included for guests. Breakfast had plenty of choice but only the fresh orange juice stood out - very average ingredients all round. Much cheaper to stay in Monte Gordo for the same facilities.

Lovely Hotel, very clean, breakfast was excellent, the bedrooms are quite spacious, pool view rooms are the best to book, not far to walk to the main tourist area, plenty of restaurants, not much in the way of nightlife.

We arrived very early for check in at 11:45. But a room was ready and we were checked in early. (Great bonus). Very easy and smooth process. Room on the pool side, nice balcony and table for a pre bed bottle of wine. Room was comfortable, daily cleaning. Wardrobe space and draws are limited. Two single beds pushed together, gap opened up through the night, but we slept well. We did find the beds to be low down. Bathroom with shower over bath a few puddles from the screen not working too well but not a big problem. Hair dryer in the bathroom had limited cord. A refresh of the bathrooms would not go a miss.  A very nice large bar area, typical resort type evening entertainers. Room safe and pool towels at no extra charges, which is very good. Breakfast typical of large catering but tasty and plentiful, very nice freshly cooked omelette. Staff worked well at clearing tables and chefs filling the buffet. The pool has sunshine all day, very nice size, for our stay, no problems with getting a lounger or shade around the pool. There is a childrens pool which was well used. Lunch by the pool slightly more expensive than a sandwich from the shop on your balcony. Hotel location is in a great for a 10min walk to the riverside, that then opens you up to pretty much straight easy access to all parts of town. Easy for the beach ferry. Or go up to the old bridge and explore. There are lots of nice restaurants to choose from. We did not have a vad meal at any of our choices for dinner. Pastry shops and cafes throughout. Our favourite drop in cafe is Pastelaria Tavirense.

Travelling as part of a small group with a member of our group who had been to the hotel several times previously and recommended it. Needless to say this stay would not encourage our party or returning guest to return to Vila Gale. Upon arrival at check in, we did not have a warm welcome. We arrived after check in time with all of our bags to check in, tired after travelling, not to be greeted with a smile or a hello- just “what” from the gentleman behind the desk. Then it took 45 mins to check us in( a small group of 5 who had prepaid) to then be told one of the rooms was not ready. We were not given any information about the hotel, thankfully we had a returning guest with us who knew the lay of the land. The opposite of welcoming. The rooms- clean but we had an issue in the rooms with beds-we had booked twins but they were two singles beds pushed together with a double mattress on top. Given we were a platonic group travelling together and we had all booked twins- far from ideal. We requested at reception on two occasions for the beds to be separated (as joined by a screw at base) and we were assured they would be. That didn’t happen. One of our group had to ask for a kettle 4 times over 2 days before one was provided. The tv is a smart tv which we were thrilled with- having a Netflix button on the tv itself- but the functions disabled- it would have been great even to be able to log into our own accounts. Just seems odd to have the tvs with this capability only to disable it. At the bar which is close to the pool but has a seated area separate from the pool of you were to order a drink, it comes in a plastic cup. Now understandably if you are bringing your drink to your sun lounger or the pool, but if you are sitting in the outdoor bar area, you should be offered a glass. To pay €6 for a pint of beer in a rewashed plastic cup. Most things in the hotel are very expensive- to put it into perspective a small bowl of fries was €3, but a can of Pepsi was €4.80. Staff were incredibly slow, standing chatting while people are waiting in front of them at the bar. At one point waiting over 15 mins for milk which was not dropped down with tea. The only person worth mentioning in the bar for good service was Denio (I hope I have spelt his name correctly here). The hotel had an animation team that ran activities each day. While Felly and Marcus are to be commended here, they tried to get people involved in things every day but they made announcements to people over a PA system to tell people what was happening or to try get people involved- but the PA system was so poor you could not make out a word they were saying over it even if you were sitting in the bar. You had no hope on a sun lounger. But they did their best and their energy was infectious. Lastly there was lot of works going on around the hotel that made a bit of noise in hallways and such which could put off people but didn’t bother us too much. They were installing a door by the pool

We stayed at this 4 star hotel for 10 nights. Its a very clean Hotel and the staff were all lovely. Breakfast was basic but ok, We have had a lot better from other 4 star Hotels we have stayed in. But its the prices for drinks that I want to warn other visitors about. First morning we ordered 2 coffees at the pool bar 7.40 euro. That evening 2 spirits both were twice the price anywhere else in Tavira. Wine prices were OK but we never went back into the bar again. Everywhere else is cheaper to drink in than this Hotel. You will pay between 1.40-1.80 euro for coffee outside. Made a complaint to duty manager. Makes no sense. Bar was empty which was a pity as they provided music some nights.

Lovely hotel. Clean, great service from most of the staff. Only 1 lady on reception that was excellent in personality, cheerfulness, and nothing was too much trouble. Kettle etc supplied quickly. Food excellent and many choices at breakfast and dinner with griddle choices at both. Prepared food only warm , but that is just because my preference is hot. I realise its difficult when it's a buffet. Pool excellent though I had no time to swim, plenty of sunbeds. Negative apart from reception staff. ( BUT ONE) was the bar staff. Mint for mojito's not available often ! So some cocktails on card not available just bar staff lacking in experience, and on 1 coctail menu card. On the whole our stay there for 5 nights was lovely.