Vale d'El Rei Hotel & Villas

Algarve charm It is easy to see why the Velamar receives so many excellent reviews from satisfied customers. The peaceful village setting is largely reflected in the tranquil and relaxed atmosphere of the hotel. There are excellent local restaurants, cafes and bars...Read MoreIt is easy to see why the Velamar receives so many excellent reviews from satisfied customers. The peaceful village setting is largely reflected in the tranquil and relaxed atmosphere of the hotel. There are excellent local restaurants, cafes and bars in the local area and two lovely beaches are about 20 minutes walk away. The hotel staff are utterly charming and delightful, notably the reception team, Joao and Mauro on the bar, and the room cleaners. The rooms are stylish with a modern blue/ grey colour palette and very clean, and the included breakfast is very good, especially when you can sit on the outside terrace enjoying the sea views in the sun. We had just a couple of minor gripes. Rooms are just a little too spartan and could be enlivened with some local Portuguese art and ceramics. The room pictures were bizarre to say the least, resembling the kind of thing you get when you buy empty picture frames from a chain store! The sound proofing was great at shutting out exterior noise, but poor at excluding interior noise; in Room 1, at times we were disturbed by conversations by the lifts, through the walls (especially in the bathroom), and noise from the public rooms (glass bottles in the bar and people playing pool, sometimes very late at night). Our main gripe though was, as other clients have commented; anti social behaviour from single sex groups. Though it is claimed the hotel does not accept Stag or hen groups, they clearly do. One group of middle aged women proved to be particularly loud and uncouth during our stay, at times selfishly monopolising the pool, bar or breakfast room. The hotel is quiet and out of the hustle and bustle of Albufeira, totally unsuitable for large, loutish groups who want to party. Clearly no one is happy; the groups who have to be asked to be quiet, the hotel staff who clearly feel uncomfortable with the bad behaviour or the guests on holiday who just want to soak up the sun, tranquil atmosphere and Algarve charm.Read Less