Advantages: Quick Transfer from Airport
Disadvantages: None if you like a quiet village setting.

...This is a review of the Vila Gale Hotel at Santa Cruz on the Island of Madeira. We have just returned from a three day break. We booked the Vial Gale as we have used their Hotel in Tavira for a few years and find them very good. Hotel Location, is best described as if the Plane Toppled off the end of the Short Runway at Funchal Airport then it could land in the Hotel Swimming Pool. Having said that do not let it put you off, it does not intrude and the closeness is slightly less than that, and it is quite exciting to watch the landings and takeoffs. The Hotel is in the small village of Santa Cruz a mere 6 Euro Taxi ride from the airport gets you there. Checkin was very efficient in a very large modern Reception Area. Cost for the Three Nights for Double room with Breakfast was £111. This was for a Sea View Room... Read review

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Advantages: Everything you want for the after Christmas rush
Disadvantages: None

...We have also stayed at this hotel, out of season. We were there in Jan 07 just as they were dismantling the Christmas tree in the entrance. We were sat outside at a little bar, talking to other visitors who where staying at the sister hotel to Villa Gale, that use to be a tuna canning factory............................this is on the sand splits, with a connecting shuttle bus between the two hotels. The tree came out through the main doors in two halves and was carried round the side and into the under ground car park, no doubt we will see it again in Jan 08 splendid with it's decorations. It took six men to carry each half and it was "egg and milk" to watch them. The hotel is just so friendly, welcoming, light airy, clean, the food is great and breakfast can take as long as you like. There are a lot of golfers in the hotel... Read review

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Advantages: Just excellent
Disadvantages: A little plane spotting

...We are now Vila Gale loyal customers. Personally we have stayed in their hotels as follows, Vila Gale Marina, Vila Gale Ampalius, both in Villamoura, on the Algarve. Vila Gale Tavira also on the Algarve and then last week Vila Gale Santa Cruz, Madeira. I can recommend all of the above, but the Santa Cruz is the newest and modernist of all. The reception is a vast expanse of glass, marble and big soft sofas and a view of the ocean, just for good measure. It somewhat reminds you of the old Art novo cinemas. Staff on reception where very polite and speak better English then I do Portuguese, excellent. The main areas of the hotel are all on -1 level, with magnificent views of the sea which is only 150 yards away. The restaurants have the same view, so does the fitness room, pools and Jacuzzi. There are two outside... Read review

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Advantages: Good acting, thought-provoking theme
Disadvantages: Plot holes, inconsistencies.

...David Gale has been on Death Row for six years. Convicted of the sadistic rape and murder of his friend and colleague, it is just three days before his execution and all appeals and stays are exhausted. In return for a payment of half a million dollars, he grants his first interviews – one two hour session for each of the three days – to "kiddie porn" investigative journalist Bitsey Bloom. Gale had been a successful college professor and – in a supreme irony - a committed campaigner against the death penalty in Texas. Some time ago, a drunken one-night-stand with a student who filed a rape charge against him had ruined Gale's career. Although the student dropped the charges eventually, mud had stuck as it always sticks. Gale's wife left him, taking their young son - and light of Gale's life - with her. He lost his job and sunk... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A good basic idea, and excellent cast and crew
Disadvantages: Horrifyingly cliched and predictable

...Pardon the silly play on rhymes, but really, what else can I say? Sorry to bring the good vibes in Galedom to a crashing halt, but Ciao works because people like me are prepared to be unpopular. A warning. This review does not exactly contain spoilers. HOWEVER!!!! At the end I'm listing certain questions (read: gaping holes) the film raised in a separate bit. YOU WILL BE GIVEN WARNING TO LOOK AWAY. LOTS of warning. But I'm telling you now as well so you don't scroll down to the bottom too hastily. Right, onto the film. STORY: Philosophy Professor David Gale is having a bit of a time of it, to say the least. A vixenish minx of a student seduces him and then cries rape, ruining his career even though she then withdraws the charges. His other big obsession, as a member of the death penalty abolitionist group, Deathwatch... Read review

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Advantages: good story
Disadvantages: political cliche story

..."The Life of David Gale" by Alan Parker *** "The Life of David Gale," Starring Kate Winslet, Kevin Spacey, Laura Linney, is not exactly clear what type of actors it requires. It takes some sort of talent to make a film as completely, overbearing and downright clear images. Rate as thriller, classic thriller lovers doesn’t have to like it. In this case, "David Gale" is little more than propaganda, as a dramatic feature — which might be fine if this were a documentary, where such things are expected or barely tolerated. Kevin Spacey is far too consummate movie actor and a personality with a strong social sense for justice. He exposes both sides in "The Life of David Gale". This is a death penalty drama directed and co-produced by vibrant well know by such movies filmmaker, Alan Parker. *** Kevin Spacey is David... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent Location, Clean, Good Food
Disadvantages: No fridges in rooms

...This is my third time staying in Albufeira (March 2007). I have previously stayed at the Paraisio and Brisa Sol which are also four star hotels next door to the Vale Gale Cerra Alagoa. Out of all three hotels this is my first choice, followed by the paraisio. The staff in the hotel speak good english and service was very efficient. I was also give an upgrade to my room. I was put on 2nd floor and got moved to the 3rd floor in a newer room. (the hotel are in the process of modernising all the rooms, so I would recommend you try to get one with at least the number 42 at the end i.e. 142,242,342,44) The hotel operate on a key card system as opposed to having to carry keys around. I also lost my key card and the staff did not charge me, nor seem unduly worried. The room itself was large with two twin beds pushed together... Read review

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Advantages: Quiet, family friendly, fun, good value, reliable, safe
Disadvantages: If you mind, a five minute walk from the village

...... Read review

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Advantages: Really pretty, nice place to spend an hour
Disadvantages: Expensive, excludes locals

...At first I couldn’t find the category for this, but I just wasn’t looking properly – I was looking for “Olympic Village”, when really I should have searched for Vila Olimpica – it sounds so much prettier that way don’t you think? Anyway, I feel so daft now for not looking for it under its proper name. I’ll also stop rambling now :) During my trip to Barcelona, I visited the Olympic village twice – once on a quick coach tour of the city, and then a second time on the last (full) day where we had to sit and “soak up” the sights and sounds of the area, so hopefully I have gained a good insight to what the place is like, and I hope you gain a good idea from what I tell you. Vila Olimpica makes up a fairly small area of Barcelona (but then the term “village” probably gives that away), it has relatively few streets, and you know... Read review

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