Ralph Marchant
Stayed at the Forte do Vale for the first time during February and March this year. We were welcomed by a friendly team at the reception desk and our room was really nice. Having stayed in many hotels in this area over a period of 25 years, this was definitely the best. Our room was looked after by Maria and Carlos and his team were helpful with any questions or queries that we had throughout. The bar is spacious and entertainment was provided every night, with a weekly programme available in advance. The outside area was clean and well maintained, with a nice pool and a refreshments bar too. We have already booked for 2026 and look forward to returning. Our thanks to all of the staff team who made our stay so enjoyable!
Teagan Jones
We stayed here for my boyfriend’s birthday and had the best stay! Really friendly staff. Had nice breakfast here and the facilities like the gym, sauna and steam room was really good. The location of this hotel is great too right between the old town and the strip. Our room was lovely and had amazing views of the pool and the sea.
MJ F
February 2025. Having read the rants from the illiterate about it not being 5 star, it comes down to definitions. It's really a 5 star apartment complex, that offers a 3 star all-inclusive option. Really great bulding.... If you look at rooms, service and location I give them all 5 stars. But food?
The food is variable good/bad so OKish. Don't expect portuguese though. The company is Indian apparently, so some staff come from the sub continent. Therefore the curries are good, but somethings - the pasta was truly abysmal 50% of the time, for example. One night it got my award as the worst pasta in my 70 years of life. Must have been in boiling water for 45 minutes. Fish was usually very good. Small range of courses in the buffet (to be expected due to capacity and so few all-inclusives staying). The Italian restaurant was closed, off season, but we were offered a shuttle to their Chinese. It apparently was a marquee and cold there; and the menu very limited, a guest or two told us, so we skipped it.
Entertainment was like the food, variable - if happened it was good.
Bar was totally acceptable. No issues with us. Staff were great.
NO DECENT COFFEE, minus 5 stars. Yuk.... Good coffee to the right of the ground floor entrance in the supermarket.
Bottom line? The hotel has a marketing problem. It's really is a great apartment block. But their 5 stars headline and a 3 stars bolt on all-inclusive options will lead to guests being negative in reviews. Would I go again? Only for the apartment option, pity they don't offer just alcohol inclusive with it. Oh and I've had better all-inclusive value for money elsewhere.
Aristotle
First off my wife and myself got food poisoning/stomach bug at this hotel. I wouldn't stay here again.
Towels cost 5€, not a deposit, actual cost.
The indoor pool can't be used without a swimming cap which again.... They sell.
Certainly not a 5* hotel. This hotel wants you to buy extras like towels, swimming caps etc that either aren't required in other places or paid for by deposit only.
(UPDATE RESPONSE 14/04: Well that's funny because another guest posted a review before me in French who also got food poisoning at the same time.)
Tom Moore
Great Hotel, Rooms are a little dated, but nothing that would make me not stay again. Clean and tidy all across hotel with nice friendly staff.
My Booking
