Holiday Inn Algarve: February 2013

"Peaceful & Relaxing by the sea

Reviewed 16 February 2013

Our stay at The Holiday Inn, Armacao de Pera, Portugal, was so relaxing. The situation could not have been better.

The hotel was modern, comfortable and clean. The food was plentiful (buffet), but after the first half of the week there was too much fish and not enough foul for our taste, but there was plenty of lovely salads.

It was lovely being able to hear the sound of the sea from our sea-view room, which was very comfortable, but a bit tired.

We would certainly recommend this hotel. As we went out of season the resort was lovely and peaceful.

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Directions to the Holiday Inn Algarve from Faro Airport

The Holiday Inn Algarve is situated in Armação de Pêra. Distance is approximately 45Kms.

Please note the speed limits; in town – 50km/ h;

main roads - 90 km/h;

motortraffic – 100 km/h;

motorway – 120km/h

When leaving the Airport, proceed to main road (E.N .125) and follow signs towards PORTIMÃO and LISBOA/ESPANHA IP1 (A22) MOTORWAY Take Motorway (A 22) towards LISBOA & PORTIMÂO.

Keep on the Motorway towards PORTIMÂO until the ALCANTARILHA/ ARMAÇÃO DE PERA exit.

At the large roundabout, follow the sign to ARMAÇÃO DE PÊRA. Continue until ALCANTARILHA. t the ALCANTARILHA roundabout turn right for Armação de Pêra (it is sign posted). Follow straight ahead – you will pass 7 roundabouts. On the 7^th roundabout turn left and follow the road until the sea front road. The white building across the road in front of you at this moment is the Holiday Inn Algarve.

Internet in the Holiday Inn Algarve

Our guests can access the internet as follows:

v FREE wireless connection in the Bar “Boa Vista“ and Reception area for those guests with their own laptops. Please ask at the Bar for the access password

v Internet machine is also available in the Reception lobby at € 6,00 per hour - (Coins used of €1.00 & €2.00)

v Access the Wireless Internet in the Room – payable at Reception with an access code.

Enhance Your Stay....

Sparkling Wine

A bottle of quality chilled "Espumante" in the room on arrival - 28 Euros

Porto Tawny

A bottle of Tawny Porto Wine in the room on arrival - 35 Euros

A Special Occasion

Order a celebration cake with your own personalised message.
All cakes are home-made in our pastry kitchen - 20Euros

Say it with Flowers

Hand tied Bouquet - 30 Euros

Basket of Seasonal Fruit in your room on Arrival - 15 Euros

Manicure and Pedicure

Look and feel great with a manicure and pedicure in our Beauty Salon - 27.50 Euros

Aromatherapy Massage

Relax and enjoy a 60 minute massage in our Beauty Salon - 50 Euros

Late Check Out

Make the most of your final day and extend your checkout time to 5.00pm -25 Euros

For more details please e-mail: info@hialgarve.com

Have your hair done, when you are here.....

Trip Advisor - "Splendid Winter Holiday"

Reviewed 3 February 2013

An early flight from the UK meant an early arrival at the Holiday Inn, but our welcome was delightful and we were taken immediately to our room.... seaview, balcony, refurbished, on the third floor and our suitcases were delivered promptly too. So we were unpacked and settled in by 11am, enjoying the sound of the sea and the sunshine streaming in through the opened balcony door. A whole fortnight lay ahead, booked through Easyjet holidays as a package.

Our weather was mixed but we had a great time. The heated pool was a delight and we swam every day. Even on cooler days it was great. A quick few steps from the pool into the changing area, a hot shower, then back up to breakfast. Breakfast was an amazing meal.... cereals, yoghurts, fresh fruit, breads toast pastries cakes croissants, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, sausages, beans, cheese, hams, juices, hot drinks too....all self-service. That sets you up for the day!

We had half board, so dinner was included for us. Another spread greeted us.... salads and cold meats/fish, home made soup, hot buffet dishes meats/fish, veg, potato dishes, pasta, rice, then a table of delicious deserts, cheese breads/biscuits, all served with red/white wine and still/fizzy water included.

Whilst on the subject of food n drink, afternoon tea in the lounge was included too... tea biscuits and muffin type cakes... And in the room there was a refreshments tray with kettle & tea/coffee/milk.
Our room had a small balcony, with 2 chairs & a table, lovely views up the coast, sea & pool straight ahead and sun all day.Perfect for a quiet read with a cup of tea.

There was a full bathroom, overbath shower with fold back screen, washbasin, hairdryer, toilet & bidet... a bit cramped but worked well. There were no grab handles for getting in/out the bath, and only basic liquid soaps were on offer in dispensers. (We went out to buy soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion - items which many 4* hotels provide.) Towels were soft & fluffy but the bath towel is quite small.

The bed was delightfully comfy, and a superking size. We slept well. The TV had Sky sports, Sky News and BBC1 and other foreign language channels. There were plenty sockets (Euro adapter needed) for charging up appliances, plugging in a laptop etc. A worktop/desk with chair under, drawers at the side, an armchair, 2 bedside chests, a big wardrobe with drawers in and a safe (free to use) completed the room. In the room entrance area there was a big shelf unit, ideal for suitcase storage and shoes. We brought extra coathangers, likely to be needed for longer holidays, altho more would be provided on request by the hotel. We used the very efficient laundry service $9 for two shirts for a one day service. Wifi in room is available -think its $6 an hour like the PC available for use in the lobby, but much better is the free wifi zone in the lounge & lobby area....iPads etc very much on display! It's a much valued and popular service.

The bar/lounge area is lovely, with open views through glazed floor to ceiling windows of the beach, pool and coast area. It gets very warm on sunny days. Entertainment is provided here 2 or 3 times a week... a singer or instrumentalist, and some guests enjoy dancing to this music. The bar offers a daily 'happy hour' with reductions of 25% on the drinks prices... similar to UK. One thing to note is that there is a separate bar for guests on Saga package holidays who operate an 'all inclusive' service.
The hotel is spotlessly clean and so is the pool and patio area outside. The staff are wonderful... very helpful and patient with their many elderly guests (in the winter anyway.) The hairdresser is very good and the beautician Chloe gave me an excellent massage. I didn't use the hotel mini gym but it looked OK and other guests were using it regularly.

We didn't go to the hotel's Raj Indian restaurant because it was closed for holidays for most of our holiday. We did visit local bar/cafes at lunch times and found these very friendly and offered nice snacks and drinks at low prices. The promenade outside the hotel offered level walks, traffic free to the nearby shops or fishermans beach or 'old town' with quaint narrow streets & traditional housing. For trips out, a local bus service is cheap and only a short walk away. Taxis are readily available from the hotel. Organised excursions can be bought from agents nearby.

In summary, we had a great holiday, and thoroughly recommend this hotel for a winter break. We shall return....

Room Tip: High floor sea view, gives view of pool as well as beach. Also gets the sun all day.

Specials - from our Beauty Salon

TOTAL HARMONY

Massage and Beauty Salon

Open from 10 am to 6 pm

Monday to Friday

By Appointment

Tel: 00 351 964 874 370

Face, Body and Soul

Start with an Aromatherapy neck and shoulder massage followed by a personalised facial and finish with a de-stressing foot massage. Package Price €55

Floating on the Clouds

Start with an Aromatherapy full body massage followed by a personalised Aromatherapy facial and Indian Head Massage. Finish with a Hopi Ear Candle Treatment which will help to clear your mind and re-balance you. Package Price €115

Holistic Combination Therapy
This combination works to bring you Total Harmony and Revitalisation and includes: Reiki; a non-invasive, yet powerful, treatment designed to stimulate and encourage the body’s own natural healing system. Hot Stones and Crystals: these are placed to help release any tension, fatigue or stress. Reflexology and Massage techniques are also used throughout the treatment.

This powerful experience should leave you feeling completely relaxed and totally renewed. Package Price €45

Indian Head Massage
This is mainly a pressure point massage that relieves tight, tense muscles and can help combat stress, neck and shoulder tension, eye strain and also hair loss. Package Price €25.50

February Newsletter

Our latest newsletter is now available
please click here

Calendar of Events, 2013 - Holiday Inn Algarve, Armação de Pêra

What`s On in the Hotel

Thursday, 4th April - Mini Fashion Show
Thursday, 11th April - Silves Rotary Lunch
Thursday, 11th April - Ladies Lunch
Wednesday, 17th April - Royal British Legion Monthly Lunch
Wednesday, 17th April - Mini Fashion Show
Thursday, 29th April - Silves Rotary Dinner
25th - 27th October - Writing Workshop

Events Nearby

Sunday, 31st March - Easter Sunday Festa das Tochas Floridas (Flower Torches Festival).
May - October - Fiesa - the International Sand Sculptures Festival
1st June - Algarve International Fair - Lagoa
June - Traditional Dancing through the streets of Armação de Pêra
8th - 16th June - Caldeirada and Petiscos (Typical Fish Dishes) Festival - Armação de Pêra
2nd - 8th August - Medieval Fair - Silves
August - Procession in Honour of Our Lady of the Fisherman
16th - 25th August - Fatacil – Lagoa
September - Procession in Honour of Nossa Senhora dos Aflitos

Ladies Lunch Clubs Annual Lunch

We are pleased to announce that on Thursday 11th April, 2013 there will be a joint Lunch at the Holiday Inn Algarve, Armação de Pêra for the Ladies Lunch Clubs of the Algarve.

An opportunity to meet "old" and make new friends, exchange Club information, enjoy a buffet lunch followed by the speaker of the day.

All ladies are very welcome to participate. For more information please contact organiser - Carole Good-Dixon, e-mail: carole66@sapo.pt Mobile: 966571639 Tel: 282312079

Jantar Romântico - S. Valentim – Sábado - Valentines Buffet Dinner Dance - Saturday

16.02.2013 - 19.00hrs - 21.30 HRS - Restaurante “Por do Sol

Amores Perfeitos ... Perfect Lovebirds ……

Sopa de Espinafres com queijo fresco
... Whispers of Fresh Cheese with Spinach Soup

Para começar ….. to start with …… .…

Sabores e Encantos Tropicais ... Enchanting Tropical Flavours ….. .

Saladas amorosas com frutos
Enchanted salads with fruit

Salada Luxuriosa de Espargos com delícias do mar
Luxurious asparagus salad delight with crab sticks

Fantasia Romântica do Mar ...True love fantasy from the Ocean ....

Tamboril enamorado com camarão e molho marisco
Monkfish enchanted with shrimps and sea food sauce

Filetes de peixe enamorado com molho de champagne
Romeo and Juliets secrets embraced with fish fillets and champagne sauce

Outras tentações de Romeu e Julieta ….. Romeo and Juliet head over hills in love .....

Bifinhos de novilho com molho picante sedutor
Fillets of veal cherished with hot spicy sauce

Peitinhos de frango grelhados com paixão
Breasts of chicken grilled with passion

Ninhos de paixão …… caring lovebirds…...

Tagliatelle gratinado com tentações do mar
Oven baked taglietelle with temptations of the sea

Macarrão com legumes apaixonados
Macarroni with beloved vegetables

No espelho de Romeu …… Romeo’s Reflection ….…

Paté campestre com molho frutos silvestres
Devoted “Campestre” pate with forest fruits sauce

Queijos surpresa com mel
“True love” Cheese Board surprises with honey

Sabores escaldantes para Terminar .... To finish with Flourish ……

Fruta “Amores de S.Valentim”
Loving seasonal fresh fruit

Bolos de Chocolate com carinhos de Noz
Chocolate cake with walnut kisses

Vinho da Casa Tinto ou Branco, Água - Red and White Wine , Water

€20.00 p.p. iva incl.-23%

TripAdvisor - “Golf at the Holiday Inn Algarve”

I have taken 7 golfing holidays in successive years based on the Holiday Inn, Algarve. Their golf coordinators, Jane and Helen, are unfailingly polite, friendly and efficient making the booking process a pleasurable experience. Once arrived at the hotel they go out of their way to ensure your every need is met, as do the hotel staff in general. I shall return next year and, hopefully, for many years thereafter.

Room Tip: Choose a sea view room - the beach is spectacular!

Carnival Buffet Dinner / Jantar bufete de Carnaval

Saladas à Escolha
Chef’s “cheerful” Salads

Espelho de Carnes Frias Mistas
Assorted cold meat “float”
...
Sopa de Espargos
Asparagus “parade” soup

Esparguete á Bolonhesa
“Clown” Spaghetti Bolognese

Filetes de peixe com molho frutos silvestres
Fish fillets with “fancy” fruits of the forest sauce

Medalhões de Lucio Perca com amêndoa e mel de Monchique
Medallions of fish with Almonds and honey from Monchique “masquerade”

Bifinhos de Peru com Molho Cogumelos
“Masks” of Turkey fillets with mushroom sauce

Fusilli com Tomate e Pesto
“Fun and Frolic” Fusilli with Pesto sauce

Espelho de Queijo
Cheese

Sobremesas à Escolha
“Gleeful” Selection of Desserts

Vinho tinto ou branco da casa incluído
House red or white wine included

FANCY DRESS PARTY & DANCING TO LIVE MUSIC IN THE BAR
21.00hrs - PRIZE FOR THE BEST OUTFIT

Dança c/ Musica ao Vivo no Bar & Prémio para o Melhor Traje

€:16.50 p.p. 23% Iva incl

Carnival in Armação de Pêra

Next weekend is Carnival Weekend.

On Sunday, 10th and Tuesday, 12th February, 2012 the Annual Carnival Parade will take place in Armação de Pêra. Leaving from the the car park next to the Hotel at 3.00pm..

Not to be missed.....