Tivoli Alvor Algarve - All Inclusive Resort

“Fantastic family holiday”

This was our first time in Portugal as a family, after previous family holidays in Cyprus (Paphos) and Spain (just outside Benidorm). This time my children were 9 and 14, and we had a brilliant time. Reading some of the recent reviews, it's clear that a holiday experience is personal and subjecti… more

This was our first time in Portugal as a family, after previous family holidays in Cyprus (Paphos) and Spain (just outside Benidorm). This time my children were 9 and 14, and we had a brilliant time. Reading some of the recent reviews, it's clear that a holiday experience is personal and subjective. We've just returned home today (31st July) and we had a thoroughly amazing time. It's our favourite of our 3 abroad holidays together. The hotel grounds are stunning, and has a real resort feel to it. We were in Villa 7 at the top of the hill. Walking down for breakfast and back up after our evenings was a nice ritual. We had a family room with a master bedroom with large bed, a seperate room with two single beds for my boys, and bathroom with shower. Our room was clean, serviced every day and with very welcome air con! I've seen comments about sunbeds and it's clearly busy around the 3 pools. We must have got lucky in our searching on the three days we spent by the pool. We mostly had breakfast at 10, and by the time we had gone down to the pool, we managed to find a decent sunbed. Even if just one to start, we could often then get another for me an my partner in a slightly different spot and still close to the pool. There are still good spots on the terrace too. I personally enjoyed the food with plenty of seafood and fresh fruit a particular favourite. We also booked into all 3 restaurants with no issue using the app (top tip - look in the morning at breakfast 48 hours before and you'll have no issue getting a reservation). Roastic was our favourite, followed by Carosello. Mad Med Chicken probably wasn't as good as the other 2. At the buffet, my partner and children also ate a variety of things, and for us, the food was never cold. We enjoyed sampling different things, but I appreciate that isn't for everyone. We ventured down to the beach at Alvor using the road bridge twice, paying for 2 sunbeds at 14 euros. We had great fun walking down the beach a bit around the cave areas. I went for a morning run down the long boardwalk and to the small lighthouse (Farolim Alvor - see picture). We got an Uber to Praia de Rocha (Portimao) which is a bigger beachfront area that reminded me a bit of Benidorm but was great for a dip in the sea and play on the beach. We also had a lovely lunch there at Cafe del Mar. We got a free trip to Zoomarine through Tivoli (and paid about 45 euros return uber) and went to Slide and Splash once using our Jet2 pre-booked tickets. Overall, we balanced our time around the pool with these other things, which perhaps took the edge off our experience with sunbeds at the resort. My boys loved the football court in the evenings, mixing with British, Irish and Portuguese children in good natured football matches. We also booked padel via the rep for one day. The final shout out must go to the wonderful, friendly staff across the resort. In particular, Thiago at Roastic and another waiter who's name I've forgotten at Carasello. They really made our evenings with their brilliant hospitality and humour for our booked meals. My boys loved them! The bartenders at Shore Bar are also fantastic. All in all, we had a wonderful time and definitely have the holiday blues now we're home. We would return to this hotel and the brilliantly friendly country of Portugal.

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“Enjoyed our holiday. 4 star hotel not 5”

I have just returned from 11 nights at the Tivoli Alvor with my husband and 2 kids aged 15 and 12 and I would say it is a good 4 star. It lacks the 5 stars for a couple of reasons. The room was lovely we had a 2 bedroom family deluxe, this was interconnecting rooms so plenty of space. A few days w… more

I have just returned from 11 nights at the Tivoli Alvor with my husband and 2 kids aged 15 and 12 and I would say it is a good 4 star. It lacks the 5 stars for a couple of reasons. The room was lovely we had a 2 bedroom family deluxe, this was interconnecting rooms so plenty of space. A few days we had missing towels, some days missing face cloths, other days not a proper clean, tissue left beside sink. Robe was never replaced as I got make up on the neck area and it was the same robe for the 11 days! Water replenished daily in mini bar which was great. The app was a great way to order the forgotten towels and we got an iron to the room also through the app. Grounds of the hotel are lovely and very well kept, its a real resort feel to it. The pool area was a struggle if you wanted to sit by the pool with a parasol you needed to be up by 7, if you didn't mind where you sat beds were still plentiful at 9.30.am. Pools had lots going on all day, if you want to relax don't sit near the 3 family pools they can be very noisy. The animation team had great energy to keep everyone entertained during the day. My kids didn't partake in any activities or kids clubs so can't comment there. Evening entertainment was just ok. Again animation team did the best they could but was very samesy. We enjoyed the quiz night the best. In the second week of our holiday we noticed it much busier and you would struggle to get a seat in the bar (tent) after 8.30pm. I was very disappointed this was the only bar with entertainment, it would have been nice if Shore bar had more comfortable seats with a bit of live music. I would also expect some sort of waiter service in the bar in a 5 star hotel. Its the first hotel I've stayed in with no waiter service whatsoever. Also the toilets at night when in the bar were the pool toilets so not the best experience as they were veey dark with a terrible smell. Definitely would have expected nicer toilets closer to the bar. We ate in all 3 a la carte restaurants and had no issues booking on the app. We enjoyed the Italian the best. Wouldn't return to Mad Med. Staff in all 3 were very nice. The buffet is like any other buffet, food can be just luke warm some days other days hot. Themed nights didn't exist, even though they were advertised food seemed the same to me every day. It was great to have other options for lunch with the barbecue and Salty. Staff in the buffet restaurant weren't friendly but I'm sure they are under more pressure however a smile doesn't take much. It was annoying trying to find cups at breakfast for coffee you would imagine they would be part of the table setting. Location was good, we used the Tram many times to go into Alvor only 10 mins away. Alvor is a really lovely town, had a great atmosphere at night wandering up and down the small streets. Beach is absolutely fab and well worth the 10 min walk although a hilly walk. We did a fantastic boat trip to the caves and kayaking in and around the Caves was great fun. My daughter also celebrated her birthday mid holiday and it's the 1st year a hotel has not acknowledged it, we are usually away every year and any hotel we have been in sends a card or something small to the room to mark it without me mentioning it. That was a bit disappointing for her. As I said its a good 4 star, the points I mentioned let it down for 5 star. Would I return ? I'm not sure ,maybe not in July or August as it was so busy with a lot of kids.

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“Good time, but no escaping the heat!”

This is pretty much your standard all inclusive family resort, we had a good time overall and its conveniently located to the beach and other attractions. Lively atmosphere, pumping music and relaxed pool rules- the kids can have a great time running and jumping into the variety of pools. There is … more

This is pretty much your standard all inclusive family resort, we had a good time overall and its conveniently located to the beach and other attractions. Lively atmosphere, pumping music and relaxed pool rules- the kids can have a great time running and jumping into the variety of pools. There is an adults only pool which looked more peaceful. Numerous friendly and helpful staff on hand. There is a varied selection of restaurants, 3 of which require booking which we like as it breaks up the canteen buffet style. Food and drink readily and easily available at all times. The wellness centre was lovely and quiet, relaxing atmosphere with sauna, steam room, pool and massage rooms. We went in August-obviously very hot. What stood out as a negative compared to other hotels (we regularly stay in the algarve) is that there is no escaping the heat. The air conditioning in the rooms is poor. It eventually gets cooler after many hours of running, but you dont feel that instant cooling relief you crave when its that hot. Its set at 19 degrees and the fan speed is so gentle, at first we thought it was broken. The on site restaurants are much the same story. It stood out enough to prompt a review in an otherwise good hotel

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