Vila Gale Tavira

Rooms very clean, Reception excellent, Breakfast excellent, good variety on the buffet. Had no problem at all with noise, although we were on the inside of the quadrant of the hotel overlooking the garden and pool areas. Convenient for town centre which is only a short walk away. Some simple affordable restaurants nearby on the river bank. The hotel was easy to find, and there is ample carparking in the underground car park of the hotel, which is adequately priced. Bar was a bit expensive We will definitely return

Tony Shew, Malaga, Spain
Family with teenagers 12+

Perfect location for a relaxing holiday. Wonderful beach just a short boat ride away. The hotel has its own, which will take you to the beach and return to the quayside for just a few euros. Plenty of good restaurants , eat inside or out. The hotel rooms are very clean, in fact the whole hotel is spotless. Pay that little extra for a room overlooking the pool, and on the third floor(top). Like many hotels, the noise from adjacent rooms can be heard, TV's, waterworks etc. Also the bar prices are a bit expensive. But there's plenty of choice outside in the town to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by. Would certainly go back to Tavira and this hotel.

ALUN REES, South Wales
Mature Couple (36+)

We had huge problems with the noise at the hotel. The first night our room (2110) was close to the lifts so we had the noise of wheelie luggage on tiled floors, which sounded like thunder from about 5am. We asked to change the next day and had a room on the ground floor away from the lift but opposite the petrol station where a group of youths on bikes sociliased loudly until 4am. If I had been at home I would have asked for a police patrol car to send them packing. This was our second visit. Last time, in November, I remember our room was a little noisy, overlooking the street, but nothing to what we had this time. I think if you get a cheap rate you are going to get one of these less saleable rooms so it is probably worth a supplement to have a room overlooking the pool. We won't be going back!

Debbie, London
Mature Couple (36+)

I have stayed at this hotel with my partner several times and also once myself with a friend. It feels very safe and secure with comfortable rooms and pleasant efficient staff, and I would feel confident enough to stay here alone. The breakfasts are phenominal, the rooms very spacious and the hotel excellently situated to allow one to enjoy the charming town of Tavira on foot. As a bonus, other guests have always proved to be quiet and courteous.

lyn weston, north east england
Other

Came upon Tavira by accident, beautifull quaint and real Portugfeese town. Hotel was an added bonus, ideally suited in town centre and very reasonably priced. Would love to have spent more than one night there.

brendan sliney, ireland
Mature Couple (36+)

My wife and I stayed at Vila Gale for 6 nights, 30/12/07 to 05/01/08. The hotel is highly recommended, very clean and efficient, a puzzle why the room did'nt get made-up until 3pm+. We had a junior suite and we were impressed with it's size, the outlook left a bit to be desired, market, salt flats and a delelict mill. The a/c & heating was efficient but very drying to the throat. I can only give good to the restaurant. The starters, sweets and cheese board was well catered for but the main course was generally mundane, too saucy and flavourless. The staff were very pleasant and their knowledge of English was excellent. The hotel, being situated in the town had no grounds to walk through and the cobbled streets (typically Portuguese) were very uncomfortable underfoot, recommend thick soled footwear. We had booked the New Year Gala Dinner for which I will give 7/10. The venu was set in a large conference hall and catered for 200+ people young and old. We were sat at a large circular table for 10 with 6 other Brits (2 vacant seats) who were excellent company. The meal was good, the wine flowed copiously and the music was provided by a very qualified trio. It would have been nice to have had an 1/2 hour cabaret. Champagne flowed at midnight and we called it a night/morning at 01.30hrs. All in all a good night but at 139 euro p.p a bit on the heavy side. Certainly room for improvement hence 7/10. Would we return? Unlikely due to its location but I would look at other hotels of the same group elsewhere in Portugal.

Harold Hardacre, Deal, Kent
Mature Couple (36+)

the hotel was very busy but very nice, clean and quiet and the breakast was great, lots of lovely places to go around the town, very friendly people, the beach was gorgeous and we got a speed boat back to the town for 15 euros definately worth a go!! we wil be going back

juliet mill, london
Mature Couple (36+)

we stayed for 5 nights at the beginning of june, our 3rd visit during the past 3 years. the rooms are comfortable and clean with effective aircon. breakfasts are good with hot and cold food, although it gets very busy at peak times. pool is excellent, nice and big. we would return for the overall value for money.

clark brown, scotland
Mature Couple (36+)

We sayed in the Vila Gale Hotel in April 2007 and would certainly recommend it and return again. It is a very spacious and clean hotel with very friendly staff who would do their utmost to help you. The choice available for breakfast is superb and we also had dinner twice which was excellent value at €18.00 per adult and €9.00 per child, with varied menus each evening. It is situated just at the edge of the town of Tavira which can be easily and safely walked to in a couple of minutes - certainly worth a visit!

MARY HASSON, IRELAND
Family with Children 11 and Under

A very nice hotel in a very nice town.  Off-season rates are very reasonable and include a large breakfast!

Godfrey Hainsworth, Hartlepool England
Mature Couple (36+)

Second time we have stayed here.  Excellent hotel facilities including enormous choice of buffet breakfast (we noticed golfers discreetly packaging food for lunch?).  Made use of indoor pool and jacuzzi.  you need a hat for pool, available at reception for small charge.  Plenty of good local restaurants for choice of evening meals.  We ate at Aquasol (in old town) and would recommend booking - it was busy.  Reception staff helpful and rooms spotlessly clean.  Would stay here again.

Carole Allen, Truro, Cornwall
Mature Couple (36+)

This hotel has everthing you need for a comfortable stay.Rooms spacious, clean and comfortable with everything you need. Lots of comfy chairs in the lounge and reception area. Entertainment, if that is your thing but with no pressure to join in if it is not. Location perfect, near to bars & restaurants of the old town, but also on the edge of the salt pans where flocks of wading birds can be seen stilts,avocets, plovers and flamingoes. Storks can be seen in the fields and on the old chimneys next to the hotel.  A magnificent beach over the river can be reached by ferry. Something for everyone.

Julia Finney, Bakewell Derbyshire
Mature Couple (36+)

This was our 5th time at the hotel.  We had booked a junior suite but was not available so were given a standard room + three free meals for two at the restaurant.  This was the first time we've eaten dinner at the hotel (a la carte) - my advice is don't! For an average price of 46 euros (excluding wine) really not worth the money.  I would have been really hacked off if I'd had to pay! Instead head across the Roman Bridge where the restaurants are cheaper (and better) than those on the hotel side of the river.  We had an outstanding meal at the Aquasul restaurant (we were told about this restaurant by a resident English GP).  Otherwise hotel OK - the rooms are really well done up every day.

Elfed Davies, Newbury / England
Mature Couple (36+)

Hotel was in a great location close to the centre of the lovely town of Tavira. A real Portugese town with plenty to watch from one of the many cafes. Good shops too - from beautiful leather goods - handbags, belts etc to fluffy towels and food shops.

Which brings me to the downer of the holiday - the buffet in the hotel. Very mundane and pretty tasteless most of the time. The main issue is for €20 (the cost of the hotel buffet) you can get so much better value out in the village restaurants - so much more tasty.

The beach is only accessible by boat but the outdoor pool looks lovely. Indoor pool was a nice feature.

Jane Nolan, Dublin
Solo Traveller

Ideally situated for golf and Tavira restaurants.  Spacious public areas.  Room (junior suite) disappointing, gloomy rooms, poor lighting and very uncomfortable beds which creaked at every movement.

Michael Post, Dorking, Surrey
Mature Couple (36+)

Itis a wonderful hotel ,nothing is to much trouble for them food is very good

JOHN, west sussex
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

6 of us guys stayed here for 3 nights on a golfing break. The hotel suited our needs excellently.
The breakfasts were fine. The evening meals were a bit of a disappointment but there were plenty of restaurants down by the river.
We would stay there again

Brian Phillips, Littlehampton/England
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

An excellent hotel with spacious rooms, courteous staff and a very good breakfast. The hotel was spotlessly clean and all staff were friendly. Breakfast was more than you could eat including both continental and full english. Our only very small complaint was the charges for little things, ie swimming caps which were compulsory, pool towels and a 5 euro charge for the gym. The costs were not great and could have easily been included in the room rate. A highly recommended hotel in a quiet resort.

Liz Featherstone, UK
Mature Couple (36+)

We had stayed 6 of 7 nights at the hotel Porta Nova and had to book our last night in this hotel as we left booking our accomodation too late (Our Fault).... This is an amazing hotel in terms of facilities (despite the hidden charges - Towels etc..) but in comparison to the Porta Nova which is not as plush, I found the rooms small, the staff pleasant but too buiness like and without meaning to disrespect the older generations, was a little like taking a holiday at an upmarket nursing home... Very glad that we had not booked to stay here for the 7 nights.

Shay Murray, Dublin - Ireland
Mature Couple (36+)

The Hotel itself is spacious, clean and well maintained.  The rooms were fairly large (even with an additional camp bed) and had everything you would expect - except tea/coffee making facilities.  
The downsides for us were the fact that we were directly above the restaurant/kitchens and the noise from the kitchen itself went on until late and started early.  Weekends were busier as a lot of Spanish descent upon Tavira for a long weekend break.  Forget getting a sunbed!  However, midweek was fairly quiet and relaxed.  You have to pay to park at the hotel, which is a bit annoying - works out about 25 euros per week.  Overall hotel was fairly good and centrally located for the town centre and access to the A22 and N125 to Faro or Spain.

julie pilkington, lincolnshire
Family with Children 11 and Under