New Hotel

[Audrey]

I have just noticed that the 5 star resort that was being built behind our apartment is being marketed on various sites as Agua hotels Vale de Lapa.
Does anyone know if this is resort is now going to be run as a hotel? .

[nickbatch]

Just did a google search of "Agua hotels Vale de Lapa" and found several entries. a couple being:-

http://www.activehotels.com/hotel/brochure/en/173379

http://www.holidayhotels.com/hotels/aqu ... -lapa.aspx

Hope this helps

[ken]

I think although technically they are resort owned apartments, some will be leased back to management company by owners. Happens on similar resort style complexs (e.g. Monte Santo), and probably best way to shift spare capacity is on hotel rather than apartment rental sites.

[Laneside]

Well that's a heck of a coincidence. I'm popping out to Carvoeiro again on 12th May to do little bit of work and bringing my two sons with me, I'm returning home on the 16th. I was wondering where to stay. I've been coming over a couple of times a year since 2002 and I normally stop at Vila Domilu, formerly Casa Domilu, a really peaceful retreat on the road to Benagil, but as a snoring dad my boys refuse to share the same room and with 2 rooms at Vila Domilu being a bit pricey I thought we'd have a change.
So I was looking at 2 bedroomed accommodation and Agua Vale Da Lapa are offering good prices for a 5* 'hotel' and thought we'd give it a try but I was going to come on the forum and ask if anyone had tried it yet.
I know the indoor pool and the multi-sport area are not yet finished, I was only hoping that it wasn't too much like a building site.
So any comments are welcome and if I don't get any then I'll give it a try and I'll tell you all about it when I get home.
If the photos are anything to go by then it looks pretty good quality and probably worth a try.

[SJ & RE]

Hiya, Laneside,
Sorry to digress, but we have looled at staying at Villa Domilu and wondered what you think of it, the indoor and outdoor pools, the hotel itself, what is the food like and the ambience of the place, all in all all details greatly appreciated oh and all the lovely massage/ spa treatments. PM me if you prefer. Much appreciated. Good luck on your next trip staying elsewhere for a change. The snoring I understand, my darn husband snores for England sometimes!!!!

[charlie]

I had a good look around this resort last week as I thought we could cut through to the tennis club to our apartment. There is still a lot of work going on both on the apartments and on the grounds. There was a lot of activity and was quite noisy, with all of this going on I'm sure it will be finished soon!

[superbocker]

Two years ago my parents came out with us and stayed at the Villa Domilu, our place is very close to the hotel. They rated the hotel very highly and they are very particular!
My father was having dialysis treatment at Portimao during their stay and the hotel staff were extremely attentive of his needs, regards diet etc. The whole place seems to have quite an exclusive feel and when we went there for a meal, the food was excellent. It's not cheap but worth it for a treat.

[Laneside]

With regard to Vila Domilu, it has gone through a few changes in the past 18 months or so. When we first stayed there about 8 years ago it was owned and run by Abillio, I believe it was once the family home and it grew into the 30+ room hotel that it is now. It was then leased to Jose who ran the place but spent little on maintaining it although it was still a lovely retreat. It is now in new ownership, had a makeover and some slight changes and a lot smarter for it, and a bit pricier too. There are two outdoor and one indoor pools and even in the height of summer with all rooms occupied you can find that during the day you have all of the grounds and facilities to yourself. It's all down to personal taste, if you want peace and tranquility, happy with your own company, with unobtrusive staff, and don't mind being a car or taxi ride away from the main area of restaurants then I think you'd enjoy it. I'll have to stay again this summer when I come over on my own and I can pass a more accurate comment. Funnily in 2002 we ate at the nearby Roma restaurant a few times and it was great (recently mentioned in restaurant section of forum), but last year when it reopened after a long closure the reports were pretty poor and now it's closed again, a place with plenty of potential. I'd love to have a go at running it.

[SJ & RE]

Many thanks Laneside. I look forward to hearing your review of the hotel and dining etc after your lone visit, need some company?!!!