Carveiro, Portugal

Another lovely holiday in the Algarve. Carvoeiro is formerly a small fishing village, grown up around a cove with a small sandy beach. These days, we didn't see much evidence of fishing, and the village is really a tourist destination, full of bars and restaurants.

The Tivoli is a lovely hotel in a beautiful setting on the cliff top at the top of the hill out of town. It's about a 10 minute walk down hill into town and no doubt more going back. We took taxis back, at a cost including tip of Euro 5. Our room was sea view (essential!) plus looked over the cliffs, swimming pool and garden areas. The website gives a good perspective. The room was of a standard you expect from Tivoli, with tea/coffee making facilities and the staff were excellent. If you join a global hotel membership scheme, it allows you certain 'priviledges' including a free newspaper each day! Internet access is free.

There is no beach as such at the hotel, but there are steep steps down to the sea and those brave enough can swim in it from there. There is also a cliff top path into town.

The buffet breakfast was good and we ate a couple of times in the dining room (buffet) at night. They had a special offer on at the time. Euros 20 per person for the buffet including a glass of wine or another drink. Very good, but the offer was not advertised anywhere. You had to ask at Reception.

The restaurants in town were also very good and price-wise about the same as you'd pay at home. We enjoyed Martins and the Oasis very much (two visits each). Also a very good Indian.

The only real downside, as far as we were concerned, was that the hotel was a little too far from anywhere else for lunch, i.e. supermarket and/or snack bars. This was only a problem for us, as one of us has walking difficulties. Others would easily be able to walk to nearest cafes and mini-markets, you don't need to go all the way down the hill. Lunch at the pool at the hotel was very limited and quite expensive.

Apart from this last comment for those to whom it might apply, I have no hesitation in recommending this hotel and location.

Thanks again Sue and Dawn. We hope to resume our travels in the not too distant future.
Sally & Dave Rogers