Berkley Black / 14 June 2016 / Categories: Travel and Holidays, Hotels

Tivoli Victoria - Vilamoura

Spent 4 days at this hotel for a conference.

It has a very US feel, like a business hotel although quite a few guests seemed to be on vacation and not quite sure why because unless you are really into golf it is inland with no beach and a 15 minutes cab ride to Vilamoura Marina where you can find dining al fresco and a little tourist shopping.

The good points for the hotel, friendly, helpful genuine staff. Great quality towels & loungers poolside, down pillows, comfy beds and high quality sheets.

My room was small but well equipped, the layout is studio style, modern & open plan which was fine for one person but could be tricky sharing a room as no bathroom door. The bath was large, water hot and all the fixtures worked really well. No hairdryer but they did bring one on request and no free tea and coffee. They provide an espresso machine for a morning drink but they do charge €2 per cup.

I had paid a supplement for breakfast which was only OK. You have everything you need but the fruit was not always ripe/fresh, the orange juice was not freshly squeezed and although coffee is served at the table it was tough getting a refill. I didn't eat dinner in the hotel except room service, the menu was limited and the food again just OK for the price and the lunch service around the pool is again limited choice, the grilled tuna & bean salad I had a couple of times and enjoyed. (Think mayo and dressings in packets, rubbery tinned olives and plastic cutlery)

The rate of €150 per night I thought reasonable for what is offered although I'd say this hotel overall is more like a 3 or 4 star than 5.

They do have a spa which looked very nice but the prices, massages starting at around €150 were much higher than other 5 star hotels I have been to, which did put me off as this level of luxury was not really in keeping with the rest of the hotel.

Would I return? Unlikely unless again on business as I don't play golf. The one thing that hampered my stay at this hotel was a non existent internet connection which the hotel actually try to charge for. I did end up getting complimentary wifi for the duration of my stay but wifi wasn't available in my particular room I discovered only after checking in and I could only get a decent connection between 6am and 9am in the morning in central parts of the hotel, presumably when everyone else was asleep.