Vila Gale Ampalius

The location of this hotel is probably its best feature. It is right on the beach and only a short walk to the habour which is full of restaurants and bars. Probably not four start hotel but it was very clean (room cleaned every day) and the staff were very helpful and friendly. Breakfast is good (lots of choice). Evening entertainment isnt really for young singles as it catered more for families with kids but hotel is right opposite Nikki Beach which i would recommend if you like cocktails and listening to a good dj! Not sure how families felt about the music being on till very late as it must be quite noisy! Overall good accomodation at a reasonable price.

Elise Whitfield, Warwick
Group of Young Friends/Couples

We have stayed here 6 times now and it never lets us down - spacious clean hotel, great breakfast and great location. Book a sea view room not only for the view but a much bigger room! We always stay on BB basis as the local restaurants are far too good to miss - we reccomend "The Old Navy" in the Marina, and "A Broa" which is a 5 minute walk behind it.

Justin Harper, Hemel Hempstead
Mature Couple (36+)

Stayed at the Vila Gale Ampalius for five days at the end of May 2008 while touring The Algarve. First impressions not good the reception/shops area has low dark ceilings,poor lighting and a scruffy appearance not at all inviting when checking in. The sea view rooms are spacious, well maintained with a large balcony overlooking the pool and beach, although I am not a fan of laminate flooring. The junior suites have a kitchenette. We experienced some noise at the weekend from the casino discotheque which did not close until 6am. If you are a light sleeper suggest you try for a room at the Marina side of the hotel. Hotel has a spa with indoor pool, children’s playground, tennis courts, putting green,pool and children’s pool. The restaurant served an excellent English/Continental buffet breakfast. There are numerous places to eat in the evening, we liked “The Mayflower” which had an extensive menu and reasonable prices for a central location on The Marina. Very popular with families best to arrive before 7pm or book in advance. The location of the hotel is outstanding five minutes walk to the Marina, Casino or Beach. May not be the best four star hotel in Vilamoura but has an unbeatable location and I would book it again.

Phil and Pat, Sutton, Surrey
Mature Couple (36+)

Just back yesterday from a week in this hotel in Vilamoura. After reading a few mixed reports on this hotel we were a bit anxious going but this was clearly resolved upon our arrival. Reception staff were friendly and made sure the bell boy brought our cases to our room. The minute the door of the room opened we let out a roar as it was amazing and the size of the room is nothing like I experienced before. Large bathroom, dining area, bedroom with sitting room area, wooden floors and huge balcony - it was fab. The location of the hotel is fantastic and within walking distance to the Marina were all the action happens although girls, do be warned, the pavements are a nightmare with high heels - so much so, we had to walk on the road!!!. The weather was absolutely terrible for the whole week so we spent most of our time during the day relaxing in our rooms or made use of the Spa facility which had indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and beauty rooms were we had the most amazing facials ever - well worth the money. After much depating as to were and how to celebrate my 40th birthday next year I have without any hesitation decided this is where I am going to head - back to Vilamoura and back to the Vila Gale Ampalius - such a great holiday and didn't think any hotel could beat the one I spent the last 11 years in Spain - well and highly recommended!!!

Linda Homan, Dublin, Ireland
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

Friendly helpful staff , booked superior sea view room Feb 2008, BB basis as we wanted to eat where the locals go . Breakfast was fantastic , spoilt for choice , great coffee too! , clean well organised hotel , a genuine 4 * , our room even had a kitchen , power failed, when we turned the over on so out came the candles , with a phone call within 2 mins a maintenance man arrived said no problem took the kitchen apart and got on his mobi ..."ig problem !,reinforcements arrived all sorted in 5 mins ..."no problem now ! , which sums up their good attitude to customer service, pool was fantastic , drench showers and turkish batch too , we had a massage which was amazing ly good , expensice 40 euro for an hour but worth every penny , suggest anyone who stays goes to a local resteraunt called "Barca" about 10 mins away by taxi , heaven ! best fish ever thanks to the tip from the local fisherman !would we go and stay again absolutely without a doubt!

GARY RUSSELL FROGGATT, stockport
Mature Couple (36+)

I had previously stayed at this hotel and chose to return. It did not disappoint. The rooms are really good size and clean, breakfast is great and the staff are really friendly and helpful. The loation is resally good, near the beach and marina. The only bad thing was the bed. Probably the most uncomfortable bed I have slept in. It was two singles not a double and the slats under the mattress had been replaced with hard board. I felt like we were sleeping on the floor. I don't remember it being like that last time so it may be a one off. I would stay there again.

Vanessa, Manchester
Mature Couple (36+)

Excellent hotel in every sense - would recommend to anyone. The only fault is with the indoor pool - you have to wear a swim cap at a charge of 2.50 on top of the charge for using the pool and gym of €7.50 so we didn't bother.

DENISE, LEEDS
Family with teenagers 12+

We consider this hotel as one of the better ones we have stayed at either on business or holiday. Staff are well mannered and helpfull although one or two more might be helpful when a large intake arrive. Whoever said there were only two lifts must be unable to count or never looked round as there are 6, 4 at reception and two others along the shop corridor, the cleaners and those serving meals to guests used their own lift, something British hotels might look at. The meals are excellent and the dining area spacious and well restocked at all times, waiters were good. Entertainment was reasonable and a jeweller in the bar area made some sales. I have three points to make, the rooms were cleaned every day but the cleaning staff need to pay some attention to under the bed as sometimes a guest might want to retrieve a coin or something, the staff on the telephone would need to speak English much better seeing there were many guests from the UK and the USA. The Hotel is well situated, well presented and has many facilities which are not taken advantage of which is a pity. If I was to go to Portugal again and to this area I would have no hestitation in booking in this hotel.

David Allen, N Ireland
Mature Couple (36+)

We stayed at this hotel in June 2007 ad we were very impressed. The hotel was ideally situated as it was within 5 minutes walking distance to the Marina and overlooked the stunning beach. Facilities at the hotel were excellent, I went to the Beauticians twice and the staff there were very friendly and helpful, I also was pleased to find that fresh towels were provided daily for the pool at no charge. The hotel also has a spa, tennis courts and a gym, there are local charges for these but they are well maintained and worth paying for. The rooms were very good with my only complaint being that we didn't have a balcony. We were B&B, there was a good choice at breakfast although the hot food never changed. We ate in many nice restaurants, our favourite was recommended by the hotel and was called Columbo - the Fillet Steak Portugeuse style was to die for! The views from the restaurants in the Marina were lovely although these restaurants were more expensive and some were very busy so its a good idea to make a reservation. The Marina area has a very cosmopolitan feel and we enjoyed having a drink and people watching at the bar set on decking at the corner of the marina. All in all we had a fantastic holiday and we would definitely go back to this hotel and resort.

Lynsey Mullan, Limavady, Northern Ireland
Young Couple (18-35)

Just returned from a 3 night stay. The resort is lovely with everything being within walking distance. Checked out reviews before booking this hotel and was not disappointed. Booked a double superior s/v room, which was spacious and immaculately clean, the beds were comfortable and very clean. The bathrooms are compact but this is typical of hotels of this age. Lounge and Bar areas are spacious and often quite busy in the early evenings. Stayed on a B&B basis and there was plenty of choice hot and cold selections. The Pool is not massive and as in previous reports it is very cold. I managed to dangle my legs in but was not brave enough to take a plunge. The beautiful beach is direct in front of the hotel and does not get too busy at this time of year. This hotel is very popular with groups of golfers both male and female. I stayed here with my partner and another couple of our friends. The men played golf which was booked at a local office the hotel arranged the shuttle bus directly from the hotel to the course. Everything seems very well organised for golfers. The marina area is lovely with some very nice restaurants and boutiques, and gets busy in the evenings. I had checked places to eat on the internet before going and would recommend two restaurants both set back from the marina itself. •The Fishermans Shack – Fab fish restaurant with good atmosphere, located in small shopping mall type place but don’t let this put you off. •Don Alfonso – again set back from the marina ( would recommend booking as this is very popular) The restaurants around the marina are more expensive as you are paying for the location, but the meal I had there was definitely not as good as the above two places. The Casino is next to the hotel and is worth a visit, we did the show but were a bit disappointed with that (it was not very busy so had no atmosphere). We did manage to win €100 on the roulette !! Our room overlooked the pool and therefore we had no problems with noise from either the casino or the marina. (having said that I was actually at the casino for two nights and did not think it was a noisy place anyway) !! All in All this is definitely a place I would go back to and would choose to stay at the Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel.

Janis Lintern, Northumberland
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

My final decision on booking this hotel was based on the reviews. They were not wrong! The hotel was outstanding as was the view from the balcony. The staff were very pleasant and accommodating. This was our first holiday without our 18 and 20 year old kids; it was made perfect with the great hotel and fantastic marina. I want to go back NOW! We would recommend this hotel. 10/10

Mrs Julie Gilbert, Sheffield/England
Mature Couple (36+)

Marvellous hotel with friendly staff and every possible amenity.

marion Thompson, Tunbridge wells england
Mature Couple (36+)

We had a fantastic New Year at this hotel with children of all ages from 4 months to 12 years. We found the attention at the hotel second to none with the exception of one waiter. We were on a bed and breakfast basis which provided a wide choice of hot and cold as well as champagne. The rooms were clean and spacious and the maid service was excellent. Unfortunately there was no kettle in the room but there was room service, a fridge and mini bar, as well as hair dryer and english channel tv. The only complaint is that we were not informed that there was a daily charge for the use of the indoor pool/spa.

3 GENERATIONS, NEWTON LE WILLOWS
Family with Children 11 and Under

My wife has kept asking me for the past 25 years to take her abroad for Christmas. We chose to go to the Ampalius Hotel Villamoura and what a choice it was, from going to check in to checking out we where highly satisfyed the staff where very friendly and helpful. The room overlooked the sea and the marina the bed was very comfortable,the heater kept us warm at night, the bathroom was very modern it was kept clean every day by the wonderful maids who did a fantastic job,with 4 lifts,and ramps throughout this is a very disabled friendly hotel, fantastic restaurant a great choice of food opened at 6 am to 10:30am for "Champagne" breakfast so ample places to sit,bar very comfortable and relaxing with waiters very friendly and helpful and not forgetting the brilliant entertainment, we will try the health club on our next visit, so we would recomend this hotel to everyone.We shall be returning again "Wow"

Bob & Ann, Rotherham
Mature Couple (36+)

Beautiful Hotel. Mainly for Golfers. Best buffet breakfast in years. Great location next to marina and casino.

Patrick O'Donovan, Bristol England
Solo Traveller

Stayed for four days and worth every penny - even before we were upgraded with another couple to a senior suite at no extra cost.
Breakfast superb, staff friendly, bar prices very competitive. It was our 16th year in Vilamoura but first time we have stayed at Ampalius. It will not be the last. Only a short stroll to marina area, but far enough away to avoid the noise and bustle when required. Well worth a visit.

Robert Evans, Pontefract/England
Mature Couple (36+)

Excellent location on the sea front and only a few minutes walk from the marina. The room with sea view included a large balcony. Friendly, helpful staff, good and varied breakfast and comfortable bar area. This is a good hotel which we would have no hesitation to visit again.

Robert Kemp, Rugeley / England
Mature Couple (36+)

group of 10 male golfers aged 24 to 54 would highly recommend vilamoura and vila gale ampalius for a late summer break. we were given free upgrades on arrival including a two bedroom suite. the staff were friendly and helpful. location is excellent on the beach and close to harbour. we will definitely be booking this hotel again.

terry thompson, cardiff wales
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

Vilamoura really is a beautiful quiet spot,very friendly, some good restaurants for evening meals. Hotel fantastic location but public area furnishing a bit jaded - our first allocated room had carpet! plus a fridge motor that HEATED the room, the AC was ancient and inefficient. However the receptionist was very helpful and relocated us to another seaview room - far superior with wooden floors up to date AC altogether excellent.
Lifts were small, hot, insufficient for needs of size of hotel.
Breakfast food good, but some mornings difficult to find a table free, clean, and with crockery, cutlery etc: We found you had to reserve sun loungers by the pool with towels long before breakfast.   However we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Vilamoura, but would maybe pick another hotel next time.

John Hollingsworth, West Sussex
Mature Couple (36+)

We found the hotel to be very well maintained with plenty of facilities. The staff were very friendly and went out of their way to meet your needs. Breakfast was fantastic, something for everyone and it was fresh. The rooms were ok, not that big but enough for 3 (2 adults and a 5 year old) with fridge, hairdryer and excellent air con etc. There was no kettle in the room so make sure you take your own. The sea view was very nice and the balcony safe for children. The only criticism we had was that even though we had gone before the children had broken up from school their was no room around both pool sides from 7am to 5pm. People just left towels all day on the deck chairs so we ended up on the grass. The pools were nice but again for the size of hotel I would of expected them to be a bit bigger. The location of the hotel was fantastic, the beach just in front and the marina a 5 min walk away. There was a good games room for kids to play in, and the entertainment some nights was good depending who was on. The little old man playing the piano was not our cup of tea and so those looking for something a bit more lively should head out for the night. Although earlier in the evening mostly when we were out eating there was different shows on and they did appear to be very good. I would stay here again and I think it is suitable for anyone wanting a quality place to stay with excellent facilities.

Lee Andrews, Manchester
Family with Children 11 and Under