Vila Gale Albacora

Vila Gale Albacora descritpion

Vila Galé Albacora is a 4-star resort, in the middle of Ria Formosa Natural Park. It is close to the Island of Tavira and a 15-minute drive from Faro Airport.
All rooms and suites are comfortably furnished. Each guest room has its own furnished patio area, which is close to the resort’s gardens.
Facilities include a heated indoor pool, a large outdoor pool, a spa and health club, and a children’s playground. Guests can use the hotel’s bus transportation into town and explore its attractions.
For meals, guests can chose from buffet and menu options. The resort’s Restaurant Salinas and Restaurant Inevitável serve Portuguese cuisine. Guests can also enjoy a selection of Alentejo wines and cocktails.
Vila Galé Albacora is close to many historic buildings and long beaches. Guests can discover the nearby village of Luz de Tavira that has been a place of pilgrimage for many centuries.

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Facilities of Vila Gale Albacora

Outdoors ：Outdoor Pool | Grounds | Terrace

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Breakfast in the Room

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：No parking available.

General ：Newspapers | Chapel/Shrine | Non-smoking Rooms | Facilities for Disabled Guests

Languages Spoken ：Portuguese | Spanish | English

Reviews for Vila Gale Albacora

Review 1：No bad experience , just a little to be desired of the place. Supposed to be room with a view No view. Way if the beaten track.

Review 2：The breakfast was great and the staff Very pleasant and helpful.

Review 3：Rat trap outside back door so couldn't sit out or leave door open. Crack in glass in back door. Bathroom door wouldn't close.

Review 4：Breakfast very good

Review 5：If you don't like walking then a hire car would be useful. Also take mosquito repellent.

Review 6：The staff were all absolutely lovely and all were helpful. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble. We loved the views. We were there at the end of season so it was very quiet and restful. Overall our stay was wonderful and we would definitely come back again.

Review 7：The courtesy bus stopped a bit early which restricted our time in the old town but there were taxis but would of been nice for the bus to be on a bit longer

Review 8：It's was a fabulous place very friendly staff and very clean and comfortable food very nice and beautiful surroundings

Review 9：Rooms are a bit tired but I understand there is a programme if works to be carried out shortly, mattresses need mattress toppers as they are hard

Review 10：Lovely setting around hotel with beautiful gardens , excellent breakfast and most helpful staff

Review 11：Very remote approx three or four Klm from Tavira,shuttle bus did not run every day,and had early return times in the evening,so taxi fares can be up to 10 € one way,if you wanted to stay in town to eat .which can be less expensive then the hotel external terrace at each room could not be used in the evening,because of small flies and a good number of people had annoying and sore bites.

Review 12：Good facilities and comfort and while their were good attractions there were some down sides.

Review 13：The mosquitoes - they were relentless. My wife is allergic to their bites and was in a bad mood throughout our stay. That kind of spoilt it a little bit for us. Also, the hotel's shuttle-bus service into Tavira could run until 18:30 ish. ???

Review 14：The tranquillity, the food and the staff.

Review 15：The buffet in the evening needs a touch from!Gordon Ramsey!! as twice we had nearly eaten some of the food which was warm on the outside an frozen in the middle.brought it to the attention to the staff. But they did not discount or apoligize for this health an safety issue.

Review 16：Breakfast was quite good.some of the staff very pleasant. Paula .Paulo. an of course Catarina very nice girl. An of course the outside pool.

Review 17：Not the hotel's fault but be warned to come prepared, our party was eaten alive by mosquitoes. We were prepared and still covered head to toe in bites. The bar was a little pricey. 3.50 for a bottle of water seems rather excessive. The indoor pool could be a little warmer.

Review 18：A beautiful hotel with good facilities. Clean, comfortable room. Good breakfast.

Review 19：Insect bites, unfortunately, while sitting on the patio. A bit far from town, Tavira (3/4 hour walk) with courtesy bus only available Wednesday thro Sunday.

Review 20：Good, well-run hotel with pleasant and helpful staff throughout our stay.

Review 21：The 'cobbled' walkways were very difficult to negotiate with luggage. A few noisy people disturbed what is a lovely peaceful place.

Review 22：The hotel was clean, comfortable and convenient. The breakfast was excellent with a wide choice of foods.

Review 23：very noisy rooms (not sound proof at all) location too far away from Tavira via ugly salina fields uncreative breakfast

Review 24：nice pool area great outline of hotel (old fort) good value for money Tavira beach

Review 25：The buffet evening meal needed potatoes instead of chips on the menu most nights. The desserts did not look appetising.

Review 26：The staff must have taken notice of an email I sent about disabled parking because without asking we were given a room for a disabled person with walk in shower which was a tremendous help to me. So I would like to say thank you very much for that. We loved everything about the hotel.

Review 27：First room was noisy because was near an eletrical instalation Rooms are old fashion and furniture is old Acess to the hotel is done by a road that only fits one car

Review 28：Helpfull staff

Review 29：1. The bed sheets were not changed for a full week, although we asked for it at the reception after four nights (first time this happens in a four-star hotel). 2. Bathroom door could not be closed at all. We received another room, the door could close, but only by pushing hard and thus making a loud noise (other rooms had the same problem, we could hear people banging their doors). 3. Breakfast set on wet tables outside, chair pillows wet (seems that the staff doesn't know they have to store or cover them at night). 4. Paid safe box (first time this happens in a four-star hotel). 5. Strong smell in both rooms we tried due to rubber covered curtain which got hot under the sun. 6. Dust and hair not cleaned properly, cigarettes butts found on the terrace at check-in stayed there until we left.

Review 30：Location, parking, design, pool, breakfast choices. Close to Tavira and beaches. Boat available to cross the river (for a fee).

Review 31：Constant stream of synthetic pop music - I would have much preferred either silence, or Portuguese music or guitar, for example. Generally the food was very good, and the choice excellent, but some of the prepared food was not as good as expected. The scrambled egg, for example, had clearly been watered down with water or milk and was tasteless. Some of the main meals were very good but others were indifferent. I think the chef needs a word!!

Review 32：Quality of service, location

Review 33：Staff should walk you to your room if it is located far from the lobby. If they have you wait for a long period of time the staff should let you know when your room is ready.

Review 34：In a unique area

Review 35：I was not particularly enamored by the town of Tavira, a little too much tourist traffic with a lot of large resorts. Also you need to take a boat to the beach. I would prefer a place where the beach is more accessible or at least visible from where I am staying.

Review 36：Tidy well kept resort. Great breakfast. Nice location in the park. Fantastic facilities...pool inside and out, hot tub, sauna, Turkish bath.

Review 37：The evening meal was disgusting. The steaks both my wifes and mine were awful. We were unable able to cut them let alone eat them. We complained and they gave us our drinks free. With the benefit of hindsight thats not enough. Should have been the meal free.

Review 38：The position of the hotel looking out over the salt marshes and its remoteness.

Review 39：the shuttle bus only works from Wednesdays and doesn't go at night taxi booking system a little chaotic - taxis booked and other guests took them you have to rent a safe code which seems bizarre nice to have kettle in room but we only found out it was possible as we overheard another guest asking for one i think they were a little short staffed

Review 40：lovely peaceful location yet only 5 minutes from Tavira and 7 euros in a taxi very pretty hotel buildings lovely pool area and plenty of beds great breakfast lovely guided cycle tour from the hotel

Review 41：We had no real help to carry heavy and lots of luggage from the car to our room, on the opposite end of the building (from the entry door). There was no transportation cart available. We later noticed that the Hotel has only one!

Review 42：Location

Review 43：No bad experience at all but,rooms are in the lower limit of area. The service door at the dinning room banging all the time "booomm--booom", is really annoying. Also the "a la carte" menu, lacks choyces for people staying longer periods in the hotel

Review 44：Everything in general, and the breakfast in particular.

Review 45：Tried to contact room service but phone not answered, checked with reception who gave a different number but still no reply -- had to go through reception in the end

Review 46：Beautiful setting, close to Tavira but very quiet

Review 47：Someone, unknown ran into our parked car in the car park, when it was lying in one of the marked slots. They had probably had too much sunshine. This did not reflect on the Albacora. Everything else perfect

Review 48：We were grandparents travelling with a 4 year old. The people were so helpful, and it appeared a secure and relaxed place.

Review 49：it was way out and you need to either hire a car or walk miles or taxi to get most places if you did not get town bus. very expensive, even charged to play snooker. meals expensive, think full board would have been better.

Review 50：relaxing place, not too busy and child friendly. manager was great and couldn't do enough to help. food was good, although not enough veggie meals for none meat eaters. pool lovely. did provide transport to town.

Review 51：Wi-fi very poor.

Review 52：Very good location, you can go by boat to two excellent beaches nearby (ilha de tavira and ilha estreita). Very good breakfast and general facilities.

Review 53：Dinner buffet - just forget about it. I pity the all-inclusive guests Despite fairly broad selection, the breakfast was at best average

Review 54：Fantastic location - built in old Tuna village - just a short boat ride from some of the most fantastic beaches we have ever visited Great pool and playground for the kids Tavira is a lovely city - great restaurants, and did not feel overrun by tourists

Review 55：My partner g/f did not like the kind of music played in the open garden and said it was loud and out of taste.

Review 56：The hotel was very close to the beach, and is very child friendly, and they even have a separate pool for small kids. Breakfast was superb and also the dinner was very good open buffet for a reasonable price.

Review 57：Nothing negative

Review 58：Great Value, nice room and top rate breakfast was included. This is a very quiet and relaxing facility particularly around the pool area. Staff was very nice

Review 59：It's literally in the middle of an uninhabited estuary. There's a free shuttle bus during the day and a €3 boat to the nearby island but you'll need to drive or book a taxi to and from Tavira town if you want to dine away from the hotel in the evening, roughly €15 round trip.

Review 60：We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, the staff work exceptionally hard and the facilities (spa, pool etc) are all excellent. Because the hotel buildings sprawl over a large area on one level and there's no traffic around a good night's sleep is guaranteed.

Review 61：The food not up to standard buffet food and nearly all luke warm. Prices of drinks very expensive and poor value. would not recommend or stay again

Review 62：Very good location and facilities

Review 63：I booked this hotel on behalf of friends because they are not confident in online booking and as I have used Booking.com for many years recommended the site, we found Vila Gale Albacora. Unlike me, they are used to luxury hotels and said the VGA lived up to all their expectations and was truly a 5 star hotel and in their eyes offered fantastic value for money and would have no hesitation in staying there again or recommending it to others.

Review 64：facilities for disabled could be better, more comfortable seating in/near outside bar would be good

Review 65：All staff friendly and helpful, beautiful surroundings

Review 66：The staff I spoke to did not have the best local knowledge and didn't seem keen to help. Not too impressed with the evening buffet, it was the most expensive meal we had after staying in Tavira for a week and the most disappointing - Lots of choice but quality not great.

Review 67：The room was very comfortable, air conditioned and always spotless. Good selection of choice for breakfast. Very peaceful location close to some lovely beaches and great facilities. I would recommend renting a car as it is quite far into Tavira.

Review 68：We planned to stay two nights but only stayed one because we had a terrible nights sleep. The rooms in a chalet like experience are lovely but the roofs kept cracking and loudly banging all night. We think its because of the temperature change in the roof tiles.

Review 69：hotel and facilities were really great, lovely location.

Review 70：Late cleaning of our rooms. One day we had to call at 3:00 becUse it wasn't done. You don't get fresh towels every day.

Review 71：Great value. Liked our room very much. Very good wifi. Good value in the bar and restaurant. Lovely pool and very good spa.

Review 72：Helpful and friendly staff. Location is away from center of town yet convenient and scenic. Nice amenities and things to do for guests such as wine tasting, musical entertainment, children's activities, game center and sports activities.

Review 73：No complaints!

Review 74：Helpfulness and friendliness of the staff. Ohr main contacts were Ana, Madlene, Vanessa and Victor. Breakfast offered a wide variety of food.

Review 75：We were half board, the evening self service buffet was poor for a 4 stars hotel. Having stay in other Gale hotel before, we were very surprise and desapointed.

Review 76：The beautiful setting of the hotel and surounding.

Review 77：Staffing issue in 4 aquas bar quickly resolved once escalated - impressive resolution of delayed deivery of a meal. Poor drainage around indoor pool - improved lighting required to give better ambience.

Review 78：attentive staff - quick to respond to any concerns. Immacuately maintained and beautiful setting in Tavira

Review 79：They charge €2.50 per day to use the safe. That seems very odd for such a lovely property.

Review 80：Everyone working at the hotel was friendly. The front desk was very helpful. The grounds are beautiful. The manager waived the fee for the safe

Review 81：Did not find pillow very comfortable, room chilly, not easy to use heating control

Review 82：Staff very helpful and friendly, good atmosphere in hotel, good selection for breakfast and dinner.

Review 83：The wine list could have done with tasting notes (how picky can you get!)

Review 84：In early March we enjoyed the peace and the birdlife. Being woken every morning by a Sardinian Warbler on our balcony was just right.

Review 85：Hotel was almost empty, however when asking for a sunny and quiet room, we got the only room lying where the terrace was lying in the shade and just opposite heavy works in the little port. When looking around we noticed that here were much better locations for rooms. We could change, but they were not very helpful.

Review 86：The location and history (old fishermens's village). Some of the staff were very friendly, but not all od them unfortunately.

Review 87：The fitness room not at the right level for an hotel of this category -not even a glass of water available .Team in the fitness / spa area unprofessional Nois in the morning to to the door poor isolation

Review 88：The location close to Tavira Island !!The swiming pool area , the boat from the hotel to go on the Island beach ( 3 Euros so...) The reception Team very nice and helpfull The equipment in the spa

Review 89：The hot Buffet breakfast, was not, and as there was a member of staff available to cook, the eggs at least should have been cooked to order.

Review 90：Location, Peacefulness, ease of access to beach.

Review 91：The pool area was very nice. A short boat ride took us to amazing beaches. The food was consistently excellent! There were too few servers at the buffet dinner at times.

Review 92：Long way out of town, and the courtesy bus finished at 5.45pm, so you need a car or a taxi to get back after a night out. Thr road is much too dark to all at night.

Review 93：Booked to stay two nights but returned later because we liked it so much. Pretty gardens, clean pool, great breakfasts and plenty of scope for walking and bird watching. We will be going back.

Review 94：Need more staff in the bar of an evening and more attention should be given to serving breakfast I.e don't leave the fried egg and omelette counter unattended.

Review 95：Beautiful hotel and location. A bit disappointed to note that you now have to buy tickets to go on the boat over to the beach as it used to be free!

Review 96：However the place is more like a holiday camp with chalets spread round the site, the restaurant was a huge noisy buffet and we were the only guests to order A la Carte, and they served inedible steak,,,,,. The staff were too busy trying to cope with the feeding frenzy to notice we had walked out. It was not the place for us so we left a day early.

Review 97：The male receptionist was very helpful on arrival. The hotel had noted we were on Honeymoon and very kindly gave us Bubbly and fruit.

Review 98：Dated room, and bathroom. Difficult location to find, not well signposted from route 125. Very flat land around and, excluding river, scrubland abounds. Little explanations of area around hotel and history/background of site.

Review 99：Good central outdoor pool and grassed area. Interesting river estuary location. Meals OK but not special. Complimentary coach to Tavira. Grounds have appeal but could be oven greater exposure through information.

Review 100：The half board was a waste of time as the choce of food was limited and the food was luke warm. Because of the location older people would have no option but to go for half board.

Review 101：The staff and amenities.

Review 102：The Restaurant Lunches are overpriced and repetitive.

Review 103：The overall ambience of the complex is peaceful and in August was fairly civilised. Clientele mostly middle class Portugese with a few well behaved Brit families. Defo a family resort with young to teen children. The beach is very nice too.

Review 104：The accommodation although clean was cramped and not terribly comfortable. The whole experience was like being in a holiday camp!

Review 105：The food and service were excellent.

Review 106：Mass catering approach to dinner. The young waiting staff were poorly trained and the more mature staff appeared stressed. Shuttle bus and boats finish far too early in the day. Hotel environment not ideally situated for the more mature who wish to explore the local area

Review 107：Very clean. Wonderful hotel for families. Portugal is a lovely country and the locals v welcoming

Review 108：Mosquitos

Review 109：Trip to Illa travira

Review 110：Location and facilities

Review 111：Brilliant staff, great ambience, easy parking, good food and wine, dinky boat to Tavira island.

Review 112：Slow internet connection

Review 113：Locattion.

Review 114：Friendly helpful staff. Ferry to the beach.

Review 115：The Location was what we were looking for and the staff were great.

Review 116：Poor wifi in rooms.

Review 117：Location just out of town and close to beach, good breakfast

Review 118：Do not advise to stay those who needs Internet - it does not work over there.

Review 119：Mosquitoes everywhere

Review 120：Everything

Review 121：Not having much to do within walking distance

Review 122：Attractive resort,good meals

Review 123：Could have had a wider range of vegetarian dishes.

Review 124：Lovely hotel with exceptionally helpful, mannerly staff. A good place if you want a quiet holiday.

Review 125：i liked everything. The place, the staff, the boat to the beach, the food, the swimming pool, etc

Review 126：No bad

Review 127：A comida e a limpeza

Review 128：Quarto não está ao nível do hotel.

Review 129：The food was not good at all.

Review 130：Very tranquil and private boat to the beach

Review 131：The hotel needs renovations. Staff was not very helpful.

Review 132：The location. Easy to go to the best beaches os Portugal.

Review 133：The entertainment for adults and children.

Review 134：Wifi signal poor.

Review 135：Location and service. Breakfast and buffet dinner very good.

Review 136：Service at pool bar could be better

Review 137：It was great lovely hotel

The Fine Print

The access to the indoor pool for children under the age of 12 is allowed only on the time from 10:30 to 17:30 and accompanied by an adult.Access to hot tub, sauna and Turkish bath is limited to persons aged over 16 years.Please note that Vila Gale Albacora offers free WiFi to all guests that apply to Vila Gale Club Card.Please note that for all reservations including dinner supplements, drinks are not included.