Hotel Vila Gale Nautico Armação de Pera

Just got back from holiday in Amacacao de Pera. Well, did I enjoy it? Yes, As I wasn't after nightlife (with pregnant other half), it was almost perfect. The beach, which we spent most of our holiday, is great. Its a bit busy further up, but if you stay at the cliff end, it's brilliant. The food at every place ranges from good , to excellent. The Clipper on the way to the old town is nice, and one in the old town , El Grelho? is really good, and is apparently the oldest traditional algarvian restaurant.

Back to the hotel itself... On the plus, it was cheap (we got it through Expedia for £40/night for a twin poolview room. It was very very clean, and airconditioned (this broke down, but was fixed the same day). The breakfast was typical eat-what-you-can buffet, with cereals, hot and cold meats and bread/croissants/crackers etc, and lots of fruit. Even some sparkly wine if you like a 'champagne' breakfast. We didn't try any other food here as we were B&B, but it appeared to be buffet style also.

On the negative side, a mini-bar or fridge is not standard, and when we asked for one they had run out. This is not good enogh for a so-called 4-star hotel, in a hot country. We were forced to use the air-con to cool our water and drinks. Also, a minor issue, but the internet connection was a single PC, cost 5 times as much as was available just up the road, and didn't work for half the week. They could seriously do with upgrading. Also, the restaurant is split into smoking and non-smoking. But you have to walk through the smoking half of the restaurant first, which strikes me as daft.

Overall though , a good holiday, and well worth it, but ask for a mini-bar when you book. Oh and if you wanna party, I'd not bother. It's very very quiet.

We have just returned from spending a really enjoyable two weeks in this hotel. We went bed and breakfast which was ideal as there was so many nice restaurant in Armacao de Pera. I would strongly recommend that if you enjoy seafood and a taste of Portugal that you eat at the fishing harbour area. The two restuarants that were really special was 'Tony's' - which had amazing views along the beach and also try the oldest restaurant in the resort which has been there for 36 years which is up one of the cobbled lanes beside the restaurant Miri mar (can't remember its name - but try the seafood rice!).

Only a couple of small complaints - there is quite a bit of construction accross the road from the hotel where they are building apartments and a roundabout. To be honest it wasn't particularly noisy - but isn't pretty! And the bus service is a bit of a nightmare, but you are on holiday!

The beach is amazing - we walked along the beach into Gale, which took a few hours (about 7km each way) but was lovely.

What made this resort / hotel really different from normal package holidays was the fact that the majority of the holiday makers are Portuguese which I think was a good sign - if the natives go there on holiday you are guaranteed that the food, accomodation and resort are of a really good standard.

This Hotel was excellent value for money and is a definate 4 star Hotel. The hotel is exceptionally clean and the staff friendly. Very nice resort. It is a definite 4 star unlike other hotels which try and plug 3 star hotels for 4star ones. Local beach is large stretching across the coast and is very clean. Nice picturesque place. Sensible friendly people.

We just got back from a weeks holiday in Portugal travelling around from place to place.

This was by far the best hotel we stayed at. Everything was clean and sparkling, the pool area is one of the best I've been at, the staff friendly and the whole atmosphere really chilled and relaxing.

The only negative point about the Hotel is the location, directly in front of it is an estuary type area....? Its no major at all as you only see it when leaving the hotel to go to the beach, (which is about a 5 minute walk away)

I love beach front hotels, but this hotel exceeded all other expectations so it didn't bother me. I'd definitely stay here again.

My husband and I have just arrived back from a week in the Gale Nautica (May 2005) and thought it was excellent value for money. The rooms are light and airy and everything in the hotel is spotlessly clean. People are constantly cleaning all areas of the hotel - the pool water is tested regularly, the gardens are well tended and there are plenty of sun loungers a very good value pool bar. We had bed and breakfast and the breakfast was a banquet of various foods to suit everyones taste and was buffet style so you could eat as much as you liked. It is across the road to a lovely beach and is at the end of town but near enough to restaurants etc. There is also a local pub the Water Dog run by Charlie who are very helpful with directions and nice places to eat etc. We will be going back to this hotel on a regular basis. The only fault with the area was that there is a lot of building work taking place but it really didnt get in the way of having a very relaxing holiday. Just go there.

We arrived at 10 am 4 hours before we could offically checkin,but this was no problem.we were allowed up to our room straight away,a welcome relief when you have a 4 year old with you.

The room was larger than expected and spotlessly clean. We only stayed B and B so cannot comment on evening food,however breakfast was superb with a fabulous choice of fresh fruit, rolls ,croissants in fact everything you could possibly think of,even a choice of 7 different teas and coffees.

The pool area was good,ample sunloungers,food in pool bar again very good. Toddler pool a good size although very close to deep end of large pool,whilst there are good playthings for older children there is nothing for the under 5s so come prepared if you have young ones.

The resort itself is lovely in the beach area however the whole of the area is marred by graffiti This was not just in our resort but the whole area,the authorities really need to get to grips with it,.

2 restaurants to reccomend are The Raj serving superb indian cuisine and TheClipper

We flew with Air Portugal again very child friendly{as is the whole of the algarve]We would have no hesitation in reccommending this hotel

The first experience is the reception - large, bright and in a nautical theme. Reception desk was well staffed with knowledgable staff.

Our room, again was large and bright and in a nautical theme. It was absolutely spotless and exceptionally well maintained. Balcony was well equipped with outdoor furniture and overlooked the pool area.

The dining facilities were excellent. We used the main restaurant for dinner (which was a buffet style offering a wide range of food - we have a vegetarian and child in our family and the buffet certainly catered for them). The same restaurant is used for breakfast (again, extensive choice - even Bucks Fizz at breakfast!!). Outside, near the pool is a snack area where snacks, ice-cream, drinks are served.

Pools - well, there is a large outdoor and children's outdoor pool. Additionally, there is an indoor heated pool and jacuzzi. Sunbeds are plentiful and well set out.

The hotel is located about a 5 minute walk to the most beautiful beach with a "Beach Bar" facility. The hotel is at the end of the resort and probably a good 10 - 15 minute walk to the centre which we thought was quite spread out and looked to be in the process of development. It is also about a 5 minute walk to the bus stop for Albuferia / Largos. About 10 minute walk away is a very large supermarket (but this is an uphill walk!!!).

What more can I say? We were impressed and it was an excellent hotel for our recent holiday.

The welcome was warm & friendly from staff, everything clean, the food great 10 out of 10