Formosa Guest House
Formosa Guest House descritpion
Formosa Guest House sells fast on our site. Located in Tavira historic centre, next to the Roman Bridge, Formosa Guest House offers bright private rooms. It has free WiFi access and a 24-hour reception in the most central square of Tavira.
Each room combines modern and antique furniture, and some rooms offer balconies with Gilão river views. Some rooms have private bathroom facilities. Rooms are serviced daily.
Guests can enjoy the lounge area featuring a flat-screen TV, sofas and a dining area. There is a shared kitchen for guests’ use, and the central location of Formosa puts guests next to restaurants, cafes and bars.
Tavira Castle walls are a 3-minute walk from the guest house and offers beautiful views over the city. Inside the walls, guests can gaze at the delicate garden.
Tavira Gran Plaza shopping centre is within 15 minutes’ walking, while the ferry to Tavira Island is a 5-minute drive from the Formosa Guest House. Explore the natural surroundings and find Pego do Inferno waterfall, set amidst a luxurious vegetation.
Tavira Bus Station is 3 minutes’ walking from Formosa Guest House, and the Train Station is less than 10 minutes’ walking. Faro International Airport is 24.9 miles from Formosa Guest House.
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The staff speaks English——Formosa Guest House's staff speaks:Portuguese,Spanish,English
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Facilities of Formosa Guest House
Outdoors ：Terrace
Kitchen ：Shared Kitchen
Pets ：Pets are not allowed.
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：No parking available.
Services ：24-Hour Front Desk | Baggage Storage | ATM on site | Shared Lounge/TV Area | Daily Housekeeping
General ：Non-smoking Rooms | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private) | Air Conditioning | Designated Smoking Area
Languages Spoken ：Portuguese | Spanish | English
Reviews for Formosa Guest House
Review 1：Couldn't complain about a thing
Review 2：As central a location as you can get on the central square. Staff are very friendly and welcoming. The rooms and facilities are clean and everything works well. A kitchen and sitting room for guests
Review 3：Everything was perfect - from the room to the other facilities. We also found the breakfast completely satisfying and a nice extra. Highly recommended!
Review 4：Your bathroom is separate from room, old pipes with inconvenient restricted flushing rules eg toilet paper. Staff hardly speak any English. Guest House on second floor, but no lift in the building
Review 5：Great location, clean, nice view over square.
Review 6：Beautiful room, very clean, friendly and helpful staff, fantastic location, baby-friendly. Everything was just perfect, would definitely stay here again!
Review 7：Location, spotlessly clean and helpful staff. The Formosa guest house is where guests return time and time again because they know the standards are high and receive good service.
Review 8：Can hear noises from outside but usually quiet area, floor of the room had not been cleaned all week but otherwise very pleasant stay
Review 9：Very good location, nice staff, kitchen available for guests, comfortable room
Review 10：Fantastic accommodation. Nice staff, lovely decor, spacious room, great location and everything needed for a wonderful stay. Totally recommend and a definite stay for this beautiful town
Review 11：Cheaest rooms balcony is outside the common bathrooms.
Review 12：Good small upmarket hostel in the best location in tavira - centre square. Clean rooms and friendly obliging staff. Nice kitchen.
Review 13：It's not worth taking the breakfast option, which is just a voucher for a nearby cafe.
Review 14：It's a small guesthouse, conveniently located on a nice square very close to the bus station. Our room was very comfortable and nicely decorated. We would be happy to stay there again.
Review 15：Having the front bedroom above restaurant it could be a little noises if you wanted an early night
Review 16：It was very central, comfortable and spotlessly clean.
Review 17：nothing at all
Review 18：loved the central position of the guest house loved the decor fantastic kitchen facilitie. There was a fantastic touch of honesty fridge with wine and beer so that we could get a cold bottle of wine and have it on patio before we went out.!!There was even complimentary port to have. also fantastic facility spare room to leave luggage in handy for our early arrival and late departure. Breakfast downstairs in bar was also very good.
Review 19：Poor WiFi
Review 20：Perfect location in main square but not noisy. Very big double bedroom with vestibule/dressing room, stylish sitting room, great kitchen with all facilities, sun terrace - home from home. Friendly, helpful staff. Hotel service with all the advantages of an apartment.
Review 21：we have the privat bathroom , but from the corridor
Review 22：in the city center, we had the rock concert in front of windows, but only till 23.30 ;), the breakfest in the restaurant nearly our hotel, close to the restaurants
Review 23：A lot of flights of stairs to climb if you have a heavy bag some noise as You are right in centre of Tavira
Review 24：Really nice big rooms super clean helpful friendly staff
Review 25：Great location but be able amuse it's right on the square it can be a bit loud (only till 0:00 at night though( if travelling with children.
Review 26：Very well located for central Tavira, really good facilities and friendly staff.
Review 27：The rooms facing the square can be noisy and its difficult to sleep before 12:30am! But rooms facing the back are quiet and have full balconies, fortunately our children stay up very late on holidays, so if anything, we were just as noisy. Only downside, no elevator, just 4 flights of stairs, which is only inconvenient with luggage.
Review 28：The hotel was absolutely spotless, well organized and eco friendly, family staff were friendly & accomodating, rooms bright, modern & beds comfortable. Perfect location, great apartment facilities.
Review 29：Breakfast is served in a next-door restaurant and is not enough, though free cereal is on offer in the guesthouse's kitchen
Review 30：Homey feel thanks to kind staff Perfect location Clean, spacious room Fully equipped kitchen, common room and balcony Complementary port wine, cakes, etc.
Review 31：It misses air conditioning to be really comfortable when temp is above 30°. Combined with a "springy" mattress, not a great night overall.
Review 32：Perfect central location.
Review 33：Our patio didn't have the view that seemed like it was advertised, but it ended up being fine. Took a little time to figure out the lock and key system for room.
Review 34：- Friendly and attentive staff - Affordable beverages and food in the hostel itself - Awesome shower - Perfect location for the festivals going on
Review 35：The shared bathroom. No AC just a fan. This place is definitely for the adventurous and young traveler as there is no elevator and it is located on the third floor.
Review 36：Location is in the heart of town. Beds and rooms were very clean. Shared kitchen and bathroom also very clean.
Review 37：Nice central hotel, friendly staff, nice size room ,serve yourself breakfast via a kitchen which had tea and coffee making facilities. If you want breakfast it's best to bring your own food to make in the communal kitchen, or eat out as we did. No restaurant but plenty nearby. No tv in room but separate lounge with tv.
Review 38：The location over the main square gives great views, but music and bar noise runs through into the early hours. Can be tiresome.
Review 39：Everything about the Formosa is great in terms of position, personnel, cleanliness, comfort and value for money.Nice little treats to welcome guests.
Review 40：No rooms with bathroom. I booked a room with privet bathroom but bathroom was in another part of hostel. No information about it on the website
Review 41：Amazing location with river view, close to everything
Review 42：Didn't like the lack of ensuite. The bathroom private to each room is down the hallway, so you have to dress or wear the supplied robe each time. A minor problem really
Review 43：Location is brilliant if you are arriving by bus. Bus station is litterally around the cirner.
Review 44：The major problem we had with this stay is the air conditioning. We had the AC on for majority of the evening until the person of the desk went "off duty" around midnight. Then our AC would not longer work (we are unsure if it was turned off from the office) We therefore were sweltering in our room. We were right above the cafes downstairs on a Saturday evening and were reluctant to open the large windows, but we were so hot that we eventually opened them. To our mistake we were all kept up until about 3 in the morning due to the noise down in the cafes/square, and the light from the town. We eventually shut the doors so we could sleep, but we felt so hot and uncomfortable the whole evening. None of us slept and we were quite grumpy the next day. The AC did turn back on around 8am when again someone was working at the front desk. We talked to the owner and she was looking into the problem and hopefully it will be resolved for the next visitor. Do not let this put you off though as it was a really neat place to stay, but it is something to keep in mind.
Review 45：Overall the location of the Formosa Guest House is fantastic. It is located right near the river in the heart of the downtown. We loved the ability to walk around and explore what Tavira had to offer. The guest house is clean, quaint, and the decorations give a very warm and happy vibe. We had three in our party and shared one room with two beds. The bathroom was not attached but we did have our own private bathroom down the hall. I honestly did not love the bathroom situation, but it was manageable for the great value for money. The staff are very friendly and also very helpful if you are in need of advice, tips, and information.
Review 46：Nothing to dislike
Review 47：You could not get closer to this beautiful centre, with loads to do and see.we looked down on bars and restaurants, it may sound a little daft but if you cross the bridge bars and eating places are a lot cheaper. We ate in a little side restaurant we were not sure at first as the place was empty, after about 40 min you would not have been able to get a table. Food was great and not expensive.
Review 48：Our bedroom was above the bar and was very noisy. The private bathroom is down the hall which is not very convienient.
Review 49：Liked that it was close to everything and the room was clean and nice. People were nice too.
Review 50：I like the original doors in the guesthouse but they do create noises when you open and close the door . Since the toilet is situated two doors down from our room, we tried our very best not to use the toilet overnight as it might wake other people up.
Review 51：The locality of the guesthouse is right is very central. Facilities are well thought of. We liked the place and the people are great and helpful .
Review 52：300m away from the long-distance bus station, well located in Tavira center. Our room is bright, clean, large, with nice river & city view from the balcony and window. The kitchen for the guests is well-equiped with everything necessary. I really love my stay here.
Review 53：We loved the calm and bright bedroom which had comfortable big beds for us and our young son..everything was so clean and stylish..and such great value for money for such an amazing location.the bathroom down the hall was equally clean and had everything one could need including a great shower.. What a brilliant position we loved looking over the square at Tavira waking up to a new day.and parking was easy and close( and free but just because the meter had broken:)) I cannot recommend it highly enough..
Review 54：The staff was welcoming and warm. Each staff member was patient and kind. Special treat in the kitchen made by Paula, the owner! we enjoyed having a communal kitchen, all recycling, everything organized beautifully and spotless.
Review 55：The guest house has very thin walls and as a result you hear everything.
Review 56：It was clean and very light in the room. The guest house has an excellent location.
Review 57：Our room was spotlessly clean with fresh decor overlooking the main square, great for watching the world go by. The evening hubbub died down quickly after about 11.30 pm but we were staying in April. We enjoyed the sound of voices chatting but if you don't like any noise ,or go for a rear room.Each day a different homemade cake was put out for us, a lovely touch.
Review 58：Bathroom was a bit too far from our room and I didn't like the fact that it was shared with both men and women with just a shower curtain between you and anyone else who was in there. Also no place to dry off or get dressed privately, except within the wet shower cubicle.
Review 59：The guy on reception was very helpful and welcoming. I also liked the welcome glass of port and slice of cake. Location couldn't have been better. We had everything we needed.
Review 60：I would not know what to improve here... The rooms are nice and bright. There is a huge kitchen and comfortable living room. Everything is very clean. From some rooms, you have a view over the river. The location directly at the main square makes you feel like the major of the city standing on his balcony.
Review 61：This hostel (typical of Portugal) is not set up for cold weather. It was all white with white furniture and polished marble flooring it was like staying in a fridge! I was given a small heater for my room but it was not really adequate. Ask about heating when booking if it is likely to be cooler. Of course from about April onwards this will not be a problem.
Review 62：Fantastic location, spotlessly clean, 'rain'shower, friendly staff. Almost had the feel of boutique hotel but at hostel prices.
Review 63：The only thing that wasn't 100% was that the bathroom, although private, wasn't en-suite.
Review 64：Everything about the accommodation was great. They even put cake and port in the room when they found out it was my birthday.
Review 65：Not a problem but be aware that it's on the second floor with no lift. No TV, but for the price, good value for money.
Review 66：Very clean and convenient for the town centre and bus station.Use of the fully-equipped kitchen welcome,including our own cupboard to store food and space in the fridge, as well as coffee and breakfast facilities if required. Very well-organized.
Review 67：Look,feel of brightness and clean great location. Would benefit from warming up the common spaces in winter and perhaps finding ways to reduce impact of sounds and clicks travelling throughput. Perhaps some rugs to deaden sound? AND on balance great value, safe and perfect location
Review 68：Slight inconvenience of separate shower/toilet though this was for our sole use.
Review 69：Location on main square with view of river and Roman bridge couldn't be better. Good kitchen facilities. Friendly helpful staff. Everything spotlessly clean. Good atmosphere
Review 70：Wifi was weak
Review 71：Loved this place. Was very very clean, staff very friendly (they even washed my little boys swimming shorts for him without us even asking), very helpful in every way. Tavira is unspoilt and very tradtional, and not a resort at all. Its a little way to the nearest beach, but a manageable walk or short taxi ride (plus ferry). Kitchen in the hostel is a great benefit and there is also a shared living room we used.
Review 72：All the staff including the owners went out of their way to ensure that my stay was confortable. English was spoken by the staff and my enquires re directions or restaurants were addressed with precision which added to the Tavira experience - Thank You Formosa
Review 73：Wifi was very ordinary and couldn't connect most of the time. Staff didn't really make an effort to fix it. Weren't allowed to grill meat in the kitchen.
Review 74：Very clean, good facilities, great location
Review 75：Beds creaked a bit with every toss and turn....
Review 76：The balcony room was spotlessly clean and over looked the central plaza to the river beyond. You could watch the river rise and fall with the tides and even saw some locals searching for small clams in the middle of the river at low water. Some fabulous restaurants nearby and great cafes where you can sit and watch the world go by! Hostel's kitchen excellent. Will be back.
Review 77：The door locks... Big rattling keys and locks that clunked all night as folks came and went to the locking private bathrooms. Clunk .. The bedroom door opens.. Clunk the bathroom unlocks.. Clunk the bathroom closes ... Clunk the bedroom locks... Then the people in the next room have woken up so they go to the bathroom... True!!! If you're awake it's tough to miss it!
Review 78：Everything about this place was top class
Review 79：Nothing!
Review 80：Great accommodation right in the heart of town. Super clean and comfortable, large room and huge fully equipped kitchen. Shared bathrooms were immaculate, and the staff super super friendly. Perfect place and amazing value!
Review 81：Bathrooms are separated from the room, which is what was booked but you need to know that they are not directly in the room. But they are private, with a personal key for each bathroom.
Review 82：Perfectly situated, fleshly renovated in an old building, friendly staff. Hostel that feel like an hotel, in the best spot in the city!
Review 83：Very hard to find without GPS. Google navigator got us fairly close, and had found it on google street view ahead of time. Parking was difficult, old meters to collect parking money erratically, but didn't look like it was enforced.
Review 84：Clean, spacious, bright room with shutters to darken. Nice modern kitchen to share, 24 hour desk. In the heart of the historic district.
Review 85：It wasn't easy to find the hostel as there's no noticable signs around and the locals knew nothing about the place. When we tried to contact the reception, nobody picked up the phone, which made us quiet nervous as it was getting late. Overall the staff is not that helpful compared to other places we stated in the region.
Review 86：The place is new and very clean. Hostel is located in the city center, though the nightlife around the place can get rather noisy, especially at weekends.
Review 87：nothing
Review 88：wow! It seems to be in a fary tail (they don't have romm's number but animals). the room is vary big and comfortable, the shawer is big and new. there's a kitchen for the gast and every rooms has is stafdf and private space, ther's a living room with tv. the staff is very polite and you feel at home.
Review 89：Central location means night time noise but this outweighed by other factors even when travelling with young children.
Review 90：Clean spacious rooms, spotless brilliantly equipped kitchen, lovely staff. Great location over central square. Great atmosphere. All facilities and they even baked us a cake!
Review 91：Helpful staff a kitchen free tea and toast The rooms were impeccably clean The place has few foreign tourists and therefore a true Portuguese atmosphere Beautiful ferry to an island with a beach
Review 92：The hostal is perfectly located for those who travel to/from Tavira by means of public transport. It offers beautifully decorated rooms both for indidividual travellers and couples...some with picture perfect views of the main square and river. The facilities (bathroom, huge kitchen, comfy living room and quite balcony) are both beautiful and superclean. Big thumbs up...the stay is made even more perfect by the friendliness of staff !
Review 93：The only downfalls to this hotel are that it is located on the second floor and there is no lift, there is no air conditioning and the front rooms with the beautiful view of the Plaza of the Republic can be a bit noisy at night, especially when there is a special event. However, the staff provided a big fan and the windows let in a cool breeze. If you take earplugs just in case, you'll sleep just fine.
Review 94：I liked everything about this hotel. The location was perfect, the rooms were the cleanest I have EVER seen in a hotel, the facilities -- kitchen, bathrooms, etc. -- were spotless and functional. The staff were helpful and very pleasant. I would recommend Formosa to anyone who is visiting Tarifa!
Review 95：nada
Review 96：superb location and great value for money. Owners were really helpful and friendly. Hostel was like new, very clean and quiet. Beds super comfy. Kitchen was great and little balcony and lounge were good if you wanted to stay in but not in your room. It was altogether perfect.
Review 97：The hostal was a bit hard to find due to limited signage and no mention of the fact it is inbetween and above two of the busiest cafes in town. When events are on, which I suspect is most weekends in summer, there will be noise until 1-2am, but we found closing the window sufficient to get some sleep - although because the room had a fan only it did get a bit stuffy and hot. (We reopened the window at about 4am.)
Review 98：Our room looked over the central plaza, which was beautiful. The room itself was minimalist - white walls, white sheets, rooms identified by hand painted wood boards with images of different fish. The private bathroom down the hallway was very clean as well. The staff changed over three times during our one night there, each person working there very helpful.
Review 99：Formosa was the best hostel I have been so far. The place is spotless and the location couldn't be better. I couldn't believe the price she has put for this quality. This is even better than a hotel. I truly enjoyed my stay at Formosa.
Review 100：Very friendly atmosphere, beautiful simple white rooms, very new, great kitchen and "living room", super nicely located on the Praca da Republica. We will definitely come back!
Review 101：Nothing. The wi-fi was a bit unreliable, but it may have worked better out of our room, if we had needed to try.
Review 102：The location was excellent, and I liked the unassuming small chalkboard sign at the front door. The service was wonderful, in particular the freshly baked cake at breakfast, hot out of the oven, and the freshly squeezed orange juice. Our double room was spacious, tastefully decorated, spotless and amazingly good value for money.
Review 103：Great view, all very modern appliances, lovely kitchen area!
Review 104：Room was bright, fresh and modern.
Review 105：Superb location and friendly staff. Clean
Review 106：Location,ambience and view from room.
Review 107：Nothing
Review 108：Perfect location and wonderful, well equipped kitchen for guests to use if they wish. Excellent value.
Review 109：The bathroom is out of the room.
Review 110：Nice and quiet.
Review 111：It was a very clean and orderly place. Big room and well set up guest house. The staff was friendly and very helpful.
Review 112：I like the central location, close to the town square, restaurants and the town square.
Review 113：Noise at light as people go and use toilets.
Review 114：Best location!
Review 115：Kitchen very good. Exquisitely located!
Review 116：Stairs up to room
Review 117：Location......couldn't have been better
Review 118：Great location facing City Hall square and close to bus station. Spacious room, friendly staff and complementary bottle of port.
Review 119：Everything
Review 120：Enjoyed our stay. Very friendly staff. Room was spotless.
Review 121：6 am every morning cafe man in street making noise putting up umbrellas. Absence of lift.
Review 122：Friendly staff, location, spotless
Review 123：Perfect place. Everything where it should be. Shared kitchen spotless.
The Fine Print
Please note that this guest house is located on the 2nd floor of a building with no lift.