I have just returned from a holiday in Carvoeiro, and after reading his review, and many others on this site, I was slightly wary of the holiday I was embarking on. I also had read reviews about Mirachoro Praia and this made for an uneasy mind before travelling.

The hotel was ok. The decor was crazy but I liked it. Im a graphic designer and I liked it. I also thought the layout and space was used well. I couldnt locate the indoor pool though. Anyway walk down the hill and you will be in the middle of Carvoeiro and from here on in the holiday was excellent. I told you all I was going with my girlfriend and it was brilliant we both enjoyed it.

The charming fishing village it was described as was evident but only slightly. Going to the beach in the morning seeing the fishermen rush round doing their jobs, and the feel of the square and beach did have a rustic village feel. There are many many shops around, selling the usual beach town things, and there are many restaurants. We went half board so didnt sample the food in many of them but in all honesty we should have because the food in hotel was dire. Luke warm is not a good look.

Carvoeiro is small, discreet, bustling and beautiful. There are no clubs to see teens falling out of and it is beautifully kept. Although the drains needed doing sometimes. Also the pavements down are a nightmare if you bring children in prams of those in wheelchairs.

So 'Grinch' be quiet and respect the area for what it is. I am a young male of 21 and my partner is that age too and we frequent clubs, and the like and this area did not have a benidorm feel. I live near tenby and tenby it was not. Be quiet and if you have nothing to say that is nice, do not say anything at all. At your age you should know better.

Jon, thank for your thumbs up on Carvoeiro. I am glad you and your girlfriend enjoyed your holiday. Next time try to sample some of the "local cuisine". Especially if you rent a car and come across the little Portuguese places offering their "prato do dia". Mind you there are some of those even within walking distance. Just keep checking in here often.
Heini

Nice one Jon. Glad you had a good time.

It's hard to believe anyone wouldn't like the place! Go slightly out of town to some of the excellent beaches & beach bars and the whole area is hard to beat.

I've been to many, many 'mediterranean' resorts and apart from, maybe, some of the Greek islands, I've never been anywhere as nice as the Carvoeiro area.

I mean, come on... Aquaparks, horse riding, watersports, deep sea fishing, sailing, diving, mountain biking, hiking et al and all in one of the best climates in Europe (&/or the world, for that matter). What more could you want?

Thanks Jon for getting back to us and your criticisms are specific and useful.

Glad you enjoyed your holiday

Well Said Jon.

Maisie.

Jon glad you enjoyed your holiday. Our youngest son is 22 and came with us in May, he didnt meet anyone around his age till our last night when he duly got dragged off with 2 girls and didnt get back till 4 next morning. He likes going on hols with his mates, you know the usual drinking & stuff, but loves CVO for chilling

Thanks Jon for giving our much loved CVO the thumbs up. Gary adn I have just come back from a 10 day stay and our 24 year old son and his girfriend are flying out today. Our Alex loves it out there, calls it his ' çhill out holiday' and he's a party animal normally.
Next time maybe go self catering, there are quite a few CVO posters on here that have apartments and villas for rent.
Oh well 9 weeks and counting for us until we return.

Gaynor
BTW I love Tenby, many a weekend I have frequented the place (or should I say bars) when I lived in South Wales
from an original Swansea ladyl

That is a great review from someone of your age (sorry not patronising) some people just don't appreciate the charms of Carvoeiro, you must try the food in the restaurants down the hill and up the hill from the hotel as there are some lovely places. I agree with you the food in the hotel is not very good, shame as it wouldn't take much to bring it up to a good level.

The 'fishing village' feel is going unfortunately as tourism becomes bigger in the town but we can all just hope that the likes of night clubs and noisy bars do not take over from the lovely family feel to the place.

Hope you liked it enough to go back again.

Jon, for goodness sake keep quiet will you? If you go around telling everyone what a fantastic place Carvoeiro is they'll all come!

I went to Turkey in 1987and found it to be a fantastic place. I came home and told everyone I met . . . . and now the place is full of people and they've gone and spoiled it.

Thanks Jon for the lovely comments on CVO and understanding why we all love it apart from that nasty person.
Hope you have many more vacations in CVO

Beautifully written Jon. A very fair and eloquent description of CVO.

However, I feel we are being a little too harsh on the Grinch. They told it the way they saw it, and it was their opinion. just because many regular posters here disagree with their opinion does not make them evil people.

Thanks Jon for your young insight.
As to the fishing village feel , come back out of season when it quietens down and returns to the slower pace of living , then it becomes more of our village than a tourist resort. ( and weather still great ! )

yes i know. but if you have an opinion then display in a manner that does not deliberately berate it. the review he gave, did not have a nice word, when to be honest it doesnt even need it. i think you should treat holidays and the areas with an open mind. just thought that he should treat the people that reside in the area with a bit more respect.

Jon's