Forte Do Vale, Albufeira

Advantages: Central location between old town and the strip, quiet, room was a nice size,
Disadvantages: Run-down, shabby, strange layout, sunbeds looked old, indoor pool opening times are strange,

...The Algarve is known as an all round desitnation, but don't be fooled as I was because it isn't. Myself and my boyfriend stayed at the Perola Do Algarve between December 4 and 8 so I only got back on Monday. First things first: After booking through Lastminute.com I found some reviews on trip advisor which were quite negative and made me worry, however, being an open minded person I choose to stay postive. The hotel itself: The perola is situated at the bottom of a hill, and is opposite a car park and other shabby looking buildings, not a great first impression. Inside is dated and in need of a lick of paint. However, the room we was givien (207) was great and I couldn't fault it. It was spotless and very spacious, with a dining room, kitchennette and balcony. The only thing here was the TV was a small old one and there was... Read review

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Advantages: size. it has three pools, two tennis courts, bar, reasurant, shop...
Disadvantages: location its a 20 min walk away from the lively town

...Alfagar apartments Albufeira. We were on the coach from the Airport at Faro for about 1hr before being dropped off at the Alfagar Apartments. When we arrived at about tea time we went to the reception and were greeted by the receptionist who took our passports over night (we were later told by a English man living in Albufeira that due to passport cloning we should have refused to do this.) and he arranged for a member of staff to take us to our room in his people carrier. The room was only a minuet away but there were two ways to go, one was up stairs but with our cases that wasn't practical and the other was around the pool but it was the busiest time of the day when we arrived so the staff took us in there car the long way round which I thought was very nice of them. The rooms The room was a 1 bed self catering room... Read review

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Advantages: A great selection of shops, free parking
Disadvantages: Doesn't have any designer stores

...In the past few years there has been so many of these "shopping centres" popping up all over the uk, having all the major high street shops all located in one place and all under one roof. Normally these places are placed out of town area's and in industrial estates. The Fort shopping centre is located in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham in the West Midlands How to get there ---------------------- Get on the A38 Tyburn Road or A452 Chester Road which can be found on either junction 5 or 6 of the M6. Follow the signs to the "Fort Shopping Park" and Star City. You can't miss it. In the centre there is a massive tower that lights up in the evening. Facilities -------------- Unlike most town based shopping centres, the Fort shopping park has free car parking which draws people to it rather than pay to park in Birmingham... Read review

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