quiet

[sunman]

I know it's not everybody's cup of tea but we had a lovely meal in Via Italia last night, homemade pasta is lovely, house wine delicious & good value, we like it there.

having parked at the top of restaurant hill we had a good walk back to the car and at 9.30pm what stood out was how quiet the town was, hardly anybody in the square, we didn't see a busy restaurant or bar, nobody walking up and down the hill, it's June next week, where is everyone?

[cereza]

Counting their pennies !!!!!
Just got back from Sainsburys - first time I've been with my wife for ages - and I couldn't believe the jump in prices. Coupled with having to get a mortgage to fill up the car it's no wonder people are cutting back

[widge]

Spot on cereza. Filled the car yesterday £82.00 !!!!!

Coming out to Carvoeiro Sunday - normally villa would be booked for half term / bank holiday but not this year. Euro exchange rate, flight costs and general feeling in UK that we shouldn't be spending now just adds to the gloom.

The party had to end sometime - Gordon had us maxing out on the UK credit card for 13 years and now it's time to pay down the debt before the interest charges cripple us forever. So better get used to the idea of 5 years of relative austerity

[ditzy]

Funny you say that Sunman, we've all been commenting how busy it's been in town, even restaurant owners say they've been happy with the number of people about. Doubt anyone will be out today mind

[joeysoap]

you would imagine that the number of people on streets would be a fair indication, however we were out earlier this month and on saty 7th we noticed that some restaurants were full and others very busy. lucky to get into a gale as it transpired. the roundup was full, bradys was half full, black stove seemed to be ok, so there was people around.

the absolute worst thing that could happen to cvo or indeed any other resort is the arrival of the 'all inclusive' hotels. holidaymakers just dont leave those places. we were in caleta in fuerteventura a few years ago and thought the resort was deserted - turned out the 4 or 5 all inclusive (very high standard I'll grant) hotels were full to the doors.

as regards renting. we have an apt in colina verde but not renting out (at present anyway). we are on one side of the pool and there are 4 renters on the opposite side. far as I can tell from looking up holiday rentals at least one of them is pretty much booked up till september and the rest are doing ok. during our visit all 4 were rented out. in our block one of our neighbours placed an add last year for the summer and had to withdraw it after 2 weeks as he was getting too many bookings and wanted the apt back for his own use for sept/oct.

[cereza]

I have a full rental book for this summer but there are many I know who have done poorly. I believe the discrepancies are caused by some people asking too much. In the current economy you have to make an extra effort and also make your prices attractive in order to get the business - and that applies to everything in my opinion

[HampshireRich]

How are the traditionally busy places doing - Smilers, Cocktail Garden, Ella & Ella, A Gale etc? - are they quiet as well?

[matoserrao99]

Hi,
it is only May.
I just visitied for a couple of days and couldn't get a table at a couple of restaurants and the town seemed busy enough.
All of the bars making a bit of effort, live music etc were packed.
Spoke to a few tourists who all love the place and none of them mentioned it was quiet - i suppose its all relative to your expectations

[EMM]

When we were out 2 weeks ago , the expected places were busy, Gale, Ele and Ela, Bradys when live music was being played.

Smilers however looked very quiet when others in that area were busier, We put this down to there being fewer Brits this year. The Germans, Swedes Norwegians etc seem to prefer those in or closer th the square. ( or maybe they just do not like the red plastic chairs )

[Bristle Si]

Won't be out until 3rd September, but i suspect many people are cutting back as a few posters have said - thing is though many owners of villas and apts in CVO are still charging top prices for rental - some need a reality check.

As for the issue with bars - EMM mentioned Smilers and quiet because of lack of Brits - well, we've been going to CVO for 10 years now and i think we've used Smilers about twice - to me it has about as much fun atmosphere as a turkeys' pre-Xmas party!

[pato]

Won't be out until 3rd September, but i suspect many people are cutting back as a few posters have said - thing is though many owners of villas and apts in CVO are still charging top prices for rental - some need a reality check.

As for the issue with bars - EMM mentioned Smilers and quiet because of lack of Brits - well, we've been going to CVO for 10 years now and i think we've used Smilers about twice - to me it has about as much fun atmosphere as a turkeys' pre-Xmas party!

Well! wadda you know! I'm planing to be there on the 7th of September for three weeks, we may meet.

[ditzy]

Well we must be in a different Carvoeiro. Yesterday evening we wandered down and all the restaurants were packed (the newly taken over restaurant near the market seems to be doing really well). On our way back up at about 10.30pm, there was a lovely summer feel, bars full, lots of families, mostly English by the sound of it.

[EMM]

That is better news , it is the half term holiday and there should be more Brits, lets hope that we see an improvement in the figures the last of which showed a 30% drop in the number of UK visitors.
We tend not to eat in the village once the season gets underway but certainly look forward to a bit more nightlife.
The duo who play at Bradys on tuesday nights are excellent ( if loud ) and its worth dropping in for a few drinks.

[sam]

Half term holiday starts next week here, as I believe it does in other areas, so expect more families next week.

[sunman]

I had a chat with a taxi driver we've used a bit over the years, he said business is down year on year, noticed a big reduction in Irish holidaymakers and a reduction in golf groups in particular this spring.