Fun in the Alvorferrias (Hotels in Alvor)

Member Name: Muffikins

Product:	Hotels in Alvor
Date:	18/07/01 (472 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Plenty of Facilities

Disadvantages: None

The Club Alvorferrias is situated just on the outskirts of Alvor, which is a very pretty little fishing village in the Algarve region of Portugal.

Christmas 1999 saw me searching every page of Teletext holidays, all Internet sites I could find and not to mention phoning round every holiday company I had ever dealt with, in the vain hope of finding a last minute holiday somewhere. We didn’t mind where we went but I never like to pay a fortune and Christmas is not the best time for finding bargains, usually.

Freedom travel eventually came up with a gem. We had to travel the same day but they had a holiday with Airtours to the Algarve, which should have cost the four of us over £1500. Instead of paying that amount it cost us just £400 in total, and not knowing what the brochure price was at the time, I didn’t expect anything brilliant accommodation wise.

What a nice surprise we got when we arrived at the Alvorferrias. The complex is all apartments but can be booked on either a self-catering or catered basis. Our apartment was absolutely beautiful and extremely comfortable. There were two bedrooms, both of which were large and well furnished and had plenty of storage space. The lounge also had two extra sofa beds, making it large enough to sleep six without being cramped at all. Both the bathroom and kitchen were modern, large and well equipped. Without a doubt this was the nicest foreign holiday apartment that we have ever stayed in.

One of the first impressions that you get when arriving at your accommodation is that of the reception. The Alvorferrias reception is first class, having friendly staff who are available 24 hours a day and extensive, comfortable seating areas. Anything you ask of them is never too much trouble and their local knowledge is very useful.

A decent swimming pool is another asset in this wonderful place. It is clean and nicely designed in a sort of figure of eight shape, with a bridg
e over the top to add to its’ attraction. Most people thought we were mad to venture in it at Christmas but it was so inviting that we had to try!

Beside the swimming pool is a cafe which has extensive seating inside for if the weather isn’t at its’ best or you can enjoy food and drinks by the pool should you so wish. Prices are good and the food is brilliant.

A bridge across the road takes you from one half of the complex to the other. On the opposite side to where we stayed there were the bar and shops and restaurant. The restaurant serves a good selection of food at very reasonable prices and the bar really is worth going in to. Again it is large and so never without a seat for you. There is a stage in the centre, on which performs many talented musicians. Music is quite diverse, with both local Portuguese music and English pop being played. There is a very friendly atmosphere here too.

The Alvorferrias is well situated, both for the little village of Alvor and other places worth a visit. It is about a five-minute walk to the nearest large supermarket and ten minutes, at the most, to the beach. Alvor itself is not too touristy but at the same time there is everything you need there if you want to not spend your time travelling around too much. Personally we like to see as much of a place as we can and so we ventured out and about but you really don’t need to.

Ten minutes away by car is the large town of Portimao. Shopping there is excellent, with many designer shops in the centre. Talking of going by car though, just make sure you shop around and haggle with them a little for car hire, as it is amazing how prices can vary.

It takes around an hour to reach Alvor from the airport at Faro and so that isn’t too bad either. There’s nothing worse than a flight followed by hours on a bus to your resort.

Albufeira is around 21 miles away, which makes it within a sensible
travelling distance. It is more commercialised but has still hung on to its’ charm and character. We had Christmas lunch there, as one problem we had found was that there was little open in the resorts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The Monchique Mountains, housing the village of Silves, are only 17 miles away. Views in that area are breathtaking.

Even at the correct price, this holiday would have offered excellent value and so I have no hesitation in recommending the Alvorferrias to anyone.

Summary: