Vila Gale Tavira Resort Hotel

Very clean and well maintained hotel. Staff very professional and helpful. Created by everyone during interactions, check in, maintenance, housekeeping, and cook at breakfast. I literally checked in walking downtown, and the room was ready by the time I walked to the hotel.

I had contact with reception, cleaners, chefs, they all nice. parking in the basement free if you are a good negotiator otherwise 10 Euro a day, plenty food all the time. The only downside is the wall need to be soundproofed some neighbours are loud if you encounter this call the reception and complain.

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 which was very loud for two days which did bother some people. All in all the hotel itself is in a perfect location, the pool and pool bar area are lovely. Reception and rooms are bit tired and dated but fine. The staff, bar the exceptions I have mentioned here really let the hotel down. While on holiday you expect at a hotel to meet with bubbly happy staff members that encourage you to come back- at Vile Galé they just did not seem to want to be there. We paid quite a bit for our week there, spent quite a bit of money in the hotel itself- we will not be back. Our friend the returning guest who has been at the hotel several times says the standard has slipped and price increases will mean she also will not return.

I will start with the positives. The hotel is in a great location for visiting Tavira, a few minutes walk from the bars, restaurants and shops. The river is nearby from where you can catch the ferry to the beach at Tavira Island for 2.50 euros return. The indoor market is close by along with the nature reserve and salt pans where you can see flamingos and other birds. The reception area is large and the staff are pleasant and helpful. We found the bar food and drinks reasonably priced for a hotel. The bed was comfortable. There are activities around the pool eg aqua aerobics, petanque, quiz ,bingo, table tennis etc it is not noisy around the pool and there are no sunbed wars which is a huge bonus. The negatives are low quality breakfast cereal and juice; the same breakfast every day there was never any variation. We were bed and breakfast so can't comment on the evening meal. Bar snacks were not offered with drinks. The bathroom had low quality toilet roll, the storage wasn't sufficient, instead of bedside tables, drawers would be better. We paid for a pool view room but the balcony was a solid wall so, when seated, we could only see the rooms opposite not the pool. A bottle of water was provided on arrival but was never replaced. Tea bags and milk were also never replenished and despite raising this on an almost daily basis it didn't change. The lead for the kettle wasn't long enough so we had to move it onto the floor. However, the biggest problem was pigeons. They are everywhere; we even had one nesting with eggs on our balcony. They use the swimming pool as a drinking station and are not phased by people in the pool. There is pigeon poo everywhere. The staff do try and keep on top of the cleaning but it seems like they are fighting a losing battle. I spoke to the manager and she acknowledged it is a big problem. They have tried various remedies to no avail. Despite all of this I probably would go back and I don't think it would take much to put some of the problems right but if you don't like pigeons it may not be for you.

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.

Brilliant property,staff were amazing, breakfast outstanding. Will stay there again

What a lovely hotel. Reception area is spacious, check in was efficient. We were shown to our room with a pool view. Room was spacious and had a walk in shower as requested. Bed was comfortable. Plenty of closet space, and a small balcony, which was lovely to sit out in the evenings. Pool area had plenty of loungers, comfortable, and towels were provided from the spa area on request. There was no Iron, but if you wanted something pressed, this can be arranged for a nominal fee, and cloths were returned straight to our room. There was pool side entertainment, which was inclusive without being too pushy if you were not in the mood to participate. Pool side snack bar was comfortable, if you wanted a little shade , drink , or a sandwich. Bar in evenings had occasion entertainment, and staff were friendly, but service can be slow as they were sometimes so busy. Location of hotel itself is excellent, as you are only a few minutes away from Riverside and it has some lovely shops, restaurants, and the ferry to the beach. Would definitely recommend for couples or groups, not so much for families, as there is not a lot of activities for younger adults in Tavira generally, and is a quieter type of town.

Property is ok but check what you are booking. I went for a suite expecting normal extras but standard bed in a big room. My fault for not checking. Pool area is excellent but be careful, tiled area very slippery, one guy suffered a bad head injury when he slipped up. Tivira is lovely and this hotel offers an excellent position for looking around. Would i stay again? probably but I would be more careful about what i was getting. Oh, and when I checked out I complained about no instant coffee in the room... apparently you have to request it.

I liked the peace and quiet of the hotel. Lovely people working there were so accommodating of requests. I felt welcome and enjoyed my stay.