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What are the Tucana Apartments Like????
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DickBob
What are the Tucana Apartments Like????
We've just been changed at the last moment by our tour operator from the Monte Dourado Buganvilia apartments to the Tucana site!!
What is is like? We've got two small boys that were looking forward to the nice quiet pool and surroundings.
Comments as soon as poss as we are due to fly very early Sunday morning!!!
Dick
What is is like? We've got two small boys that were looking forward to the nice quiet pool and surroundings.
Comments as soon as poss as we are due to fly very early Sunday morning!!!
Dick
Buganvilia is Tucana - I don't know what they mean by saying you are being moved.
If it is to the lower level, then they are fine - don't worry (see our place casa amarela under 3 bed apts on this site), otherwise it may just mean that you are not in Buganvilia but one of the other areas. The hill area of Monte Dourado is divided into sections named after flowers, have a look at the map of the development here
http://www.carvoeiro.com/developments/m ... do/map.htm
the lower level apartments are to the left hand side of the map (rua do barranco)
If it is to the lower level, then they are fine - don't worry (see our place casa amarela under 3 bed apts on this site), otherwise it may just mean that you are not in Buganvilia but one of the other areas. The hill area of Monte Dourado is divided into sections named after flowers, have a look at the map of the development here
http://www.carvoeiro.com/developments/m ... do/map.htm
the lower level apartments are to the left hand side of the map (rua do barranco)
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Guest
Yes, from what I've been able to get from the tour operator it sounds like rua do barranco. Over the road from the "flower" area.
From all the pix I've managed to find on the net it looks like it's behind a high retaining wall over looking a busy road. The other side looks like flats above shops.
With respect to kteee, we had "bought" 2 weeks around a small pool for our children to play and make friends. Rua do barranco looks more appropriate for childless couples or young people.
It doesn't look/sound like the place for us. Does anyone have an opinion?
From all the pix I've managed to find on the net it looks like it's behind a high retaining wall over looking a busy road. The other side looks like flats above shops.
With respect to kteee, we had "bought" 2 weeks around a small pool for our children to play and make friends. Rua do barranco looks more appropriate for childless couples or young people.
It doesn't look/sound like the place for us. Does anyone have an opinion?
The impression that you have from the pictures is partly correct - there is a retaining wall, but only because the road up to reception and the 'flower' areas is a steep hill - it's not across the road from the upper part of the development, just down the hill. The road you can see is not a busy road, just access to the upper part of Monte Dourado and reception and it is separated from the pool area by a gate and a long path so the kids can't go wandering off. There are shops under the apartments, but nothing noisy just the local council office, medical centre, clothes shop etc.
Most of the people who book our apartment have young children and they really enjoy it - in fact one family with children aged 3 and 7 stayed in our apartment over Easter and immediately re-booked for October half term. I have had a lot of feedback from them and other families saying how well their children made friends round the pool. One advantage of the lower level is that you do not have the steep hill to negotiate when walking to the beach, which may be a benefit depending on the age of your children.
I understand that it may not be what you booked, but at least give it a chance - you may be surprised and if it doesn't work out surely you will have some comeback with the tour company?
It doesn't make sense though, as all the apartments on the lower level are privately owned now and not owned by Tucana, whereas some of the apartments on the upper level are being sold but the majority are still owned by Tucana at the moment (at least until the end of the season).
If you want to have a chat about it - give me a ring on 01344 750428 and I'll try to put your mind at rest if I can.
Most of the people who book our apartment have young children and they really enjoy it - in fact one family with children aged 3 and 7 stayed in our apartment over Easter and immediately re-booked for October half term. I have had a lot of feedback from them and other families saying how well their children made friends round the pool. One advantage of the lower level is that you do not have the steep hill to negotiate when walking to the beach, which may be a benefit depending on the age of your children.
I understand that it may not be what you booked, but at least give it a chance - you may be surprised and if it doesn't work out surely you will have some comeback with the tour company?
It doesn't make sense though, as all the apartments on the lower level are privately owned now and not owned by Tucana, whereas some of the apartments on the upper level are being sold but the majority are still owned by Tucana at the moment (at least until the end of the season).
If you want to have a chat about it - give me a ring on 01344 750428 and I'll try to put your mind at rest if I can.
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trish
Can you tell me which Tour Operator you are booked with? because we have booked to go to Monte Dourado Upper Level - seemingly lower level apts no longer available as Kteee has already mentioned.
We have stayed in lower level before and it was convenient for being on a level with shops etc. but our children preferred the Upper level pools. I did actually find it was handy to nip over the road to supermarket for food etc. or if we were running low on wine
so it all depends what you prefer. Either way we have always been happy with Monte Dourado but like the view from Upper Level.
If you are not happy I would suggest getting in touch with MD direct who might be able to clarify things? Email. tel. no's are on this site.
Hope you have a lovely holiday.
We have stayed in lower level before and it was convenient for being on a level with shops etc. but our children preferred the Upper level pools. I did actually find it was handy to nip over the road to supermarket for food etc. or if we were running low on wine
so it all depends what you prefer. Either way we have always been happy with Monte Dourado but like the view from Upper Level.If you are not happy I would suggest getting in touch with MD direct who might be able to clarify things? Email. tel. no's are on this site.
Hope you have a lovely holiday.
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trish
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DickBob
Thanks for your comments kteee. I hope my words didn't offend. It's just so worrying then you plan a holiday from the meager brochure info and find out at the last moment your tour op has changed everything with no details of the subsitute accommondation!
I suppose the real issue is with the scale of the 2 developements. One looks small scale and more sociable for children, the other more a singles/couple development. Nothing wrong with either, but you make a judgement from the information you're presented with.
From what you've said do I take that the "lower level" means the area across the road from the "upper, flowers level"? On the left hand side of the development map. Just trying to undertand the geography
Also I've seen in other posting here a comment about building work on the "lower level" also "on the hill overlooking the pool". Is this still ongoing? Visions of TV holiday horror stories start when people mention building work
We appreciate your time and comments. Depending on how we get on with the tour op tomorrow, we may give you a call. Either way I'll make sure we post some feedback for others here when we return. We've been grateful of all the information we gathered about the area from this website. Thank you Webmaster
I suppose the real issue is with the scale of the 2 developements. One looks small scale and more sociable for children, the other more a singles/couple development. Nothing wrong with either, but you make a judgement from the information you're presented with.
From what you've said do I take that the "lower level" means the area across the road from the "upper, flowers level"? On the left hand side of the development map. Just trying to undertand the geography
Also I've seen in other posting here a comment about building work on the "lower level" also "on the hill overlooking the pool". Is this still ongoing? Visions of TV holiday horror stories start when people mention building work
We appreciate your time and comments. Depending on how we get on with the tour op tomorrow, we may give you a call. Either way I'll make sure we post some feedback for others here when we return. We've been grateful of all the information we gathered about the area from this website. Thank you Webmaster
There has been building work on rua do barranco, but the construction is now complete and they are working on the interior (this was the case during our last trip a few months ago) - again, we have had no complaints, and when we stayed there ourselves earlier this year it didn't bother us a bit, other people have posted on this topic - see thread started by Dougie McB on the Monte Dourado thread. The family I referred to earlier who are returning in October were there when the building work was in full flow.
As for the building work on the hill overlooking the pool, in fact you might be nearer it if you were in Buganvilia, as the construction is close to reception - it did occur to me that that could be the reason for moving you, but I didn't want to bring it up first as it can be quite alarmist and not necessarily justified.
I don't think there is much difference in the atmosphere of the two parts of the development, as I said earlier our part is certainly not singles/couples orientated.
There is also another thread 'Carvoeiro getting more expensive' where the choice of package holidays versus booking direct was explored, and I have to say that this is one of the reasons that we have not booked a package for approx 15 years. At least when you book direct with an owner this type of thing will not happen, and you can find out much more about the accommodation and area from an owner than you will in a brochure.
As for the building work on the hill overlooking the pool, in fact you might be nearer it if you were in Buganvilia, as the construction is close to reception - it did occur to me that that could be the reason for moving you, but I didn't want to bring it up first as it can be quite alarmist and not necessarily justified.
I don't think there is much difference in the atmosphere of the two parts of the development, as I said earlier our part is certainly not singles/couples orientated.
There is also another thread 'Carvoeiro getting more expensive' where the choice of package holidays versus booking direct was explored, and I have to say that this is one of the reasons that we have not booked a package for approx 15 years. At least when you book direct with an owner this type of thing will not happen, and you can find out much more about the accommodation and area from an owner than you will in a brochure.
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DickBob
Sorry Trish, I must have missed your posting as I was wriiting my reply to kteee at the same time as you were wrting yours
We booked a 2 bedroom apartment through Open Holidays of Worthing, West Sussex on 25 June flying out early tomorrow (Sun). We were told on the 30th that "due to contractual changes..." and that we "...can be allocated an apartment in any of the 12 blocks within the Monte Dourado complex...". Now if we wanted to be picky, it seems that the lower level apartments are not actually one of 12 named "flower" blocks.
As I said in my earlier post, we booked based on a few pix in a brochure and we bought what we liked the look of. With due respect to kteee, we wouldn't have booked a lower level apartment. I understand the convenient aspect of the shops, but this is not what we are looking for. I think your comments about your kids preferring the upper level pools and the views sums it up for us.
Can't seem to find the contact details for the MD office here. Anyone help?
We booked a 2 bedroom apartment through Open Holidays of Worthing, West Sussex on 25 June flying out early tomorrow (Sun). We were told on the 30th that "due to contractual changes..." and that we "...can be allocated an apartment in any of the 12 blocks within the Monte Dourado complex...". Now if we wanted to be picky, it seems that the lower level apartments are not actually one of 12 named "flower" blocks.
As I said in my earlier post, we booked based on a few pix in a brochure and we bought what we liked the look of. With due respect to kteee, we wouldn't have booked a lower level apartment. I understand the convenient aspect of the shops, but this is not what we are looking for. I think your comments about your kids preferring the upper level pools and the views sums it up for us.
Can't seem to find the contact details for the MD office here. Anyone help?
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DickBob
Thanks for the clarification on the building work kteee. I did in fact contribute to the thread started by Dougie McB to get an idea where these works were happening.
As I said in my reply to trish, the reason we have been forced out of Buganvilia at such short notice has been given as "contractural changes". Who in their right minds changes a contract at the height of the season! Madness!! I imagine money must be involved in the decision.
How would you rate the building work? What are they doing? On the Monte Dourado site map where would you place the works in respect to, say, the word "[reception]" on the plan?
I agree with your comment about booking direct, but to be honest we've never been back to the same place for any of our holidays. Abroad or in the UK! There's just too much of the world to see and so little time/money In fact we've never been to Portugal before and never heard of Carvoeiro until we can across it on the brochure. It looks nice and we really want to go, but the accommodation must be right.
We'll keep you posted
As I said in my reply to trish, the reason we have been forced out of Buganvilia at such short notice has been given as "contractural changes". Who in their right minds changes a contract at the height of the season! Madness!! I imagine money must be involved in the decision.
How would you rate the building work? What are they doing? On the Monte Dourado site map where would you place the works in respect to, say, the word "[reception]" on the plan?
I agree with your comment about booking direct, but to be honest we've never been back to the same place for any of our holidays. Abroad or in the UK! There's just too much of the world to see and so little time/money
In fact we've never been to Portugal before and never heard of Carvoeiro until we can across it on the brochure. It looks nice and we really want to go, but the accommodation must be right.We'll keep you posted
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trish
I can't find no.for MD but try ringing DSI the Estate Agents who deal with MD. Their no. is 00351 282 356 196 or 197, 198
Sure they will give you the no for MD if you explain the situation.
I would also get back in touch with your tour operator and ask them the reasons for the change at short notice because as we have mentioned before lower level apts. havent been offered for holidays this year.
Hope you sort things out - I have to pay for our holiday today so I shall be checking with my tour operator to make sure we are still being allocated Upper Level and will try and get hold of MD Reception No.
But even if we do end up in Lower Level we will still enjoy the holiday because we spend most of the time at the beach, village etc. anyway. The pools arent actually heated and tho the kids find them ok, I find the sea is warmer
The apartments are all good but can understand your frustration.
Once again good luck and have a wonderful holiday
Sure they will give you the no for MD if you explain the situation.
I would also get back in touch with your tour operator and ask them the reasons for the change at short notice because as we have mentioned before lower level apts. havent been offered for holidays this year.
Hope you sort things out - I have to pay for our holiday today so I shall be checking with my tour operator to make sure we are still being allocated Upper Level and will try and get hold of MD Reception No.
But even if we do end up in Lower Level we will still enjoy the holiday because we spend most of the time at the beach, village etc. anyway. The pools arent actually heated and tho the kids find them ok, I find the sea is warmer
The apartments are all good but can understand your frustration.Once again good luck and have a wonderful holiday
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DickBob
I found the number. They have their own website (a bit thin). I spoke to a nice Dutch (?) lady, Nelly who told us that Open Holidays had cancelled their exclusive booking of Buganvilia back at Easter and informed the resort of our arrival only last Wednesday! Some may call that fraud! Taking our money without the means of giving us what we had paid for.
Can I ask who you booked through? Do you know which block you have been allocated too? The more ammo for us the better!
Can I ask who you booked through? Do you know which block you have been allocated too? The more ammo for us the better!
Makes sense, but do be careful about using it too fast, you never know you may well have the holiday of a lifetime, and I am just guessing that your claim may be a bit thin if you have simply been moved around another pool, in another set of apartments, 250 meters from the original booking.The more ammo for us the better!
I really, really hope that you have a brill holiday and am pretty certain that you will, but it will really be in your best interests to go with an open mind, I hate to think that you may already have decided that your holiday is ruined
Maddi
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Guest
We have stayed at upper and lower levels of Monte Dourado. These apartments,facilities,maid service, Reception are all excellent. Have never stayed in anything better and even when friends met up with us and viewed our apartment they said the same.
I can't vouch for what Carvoeiro is like in peak summer months because we usually go later or earlier in year but I wouldnt describe it as a place for singles who could be noisy?? Think some of the older members with families can make more noise - at least my kids do Definitely would call it a family resort or for Couples.
Once you have been to Carvoeiro you won't be disappointed - very child friendly and just genuinely nice people altogether who welcome us back time after time
despite the demands our children put on them
I can't vouch for what Carvoeiro is like in peak summer months because we usually go later or earlier in year but I wouldnt describe it as a place for singles who could be noisy?? Think some of the older members with families can make more noise - at least my kids do
Definitely would call it a family resort or for Couples.Once you have been to Carvoeiro you won't be disappointed - very child friendly and just genuinely nice people altogether who welcome us back time after time
despite the demands our children put on them