Apartamentos Vale de Carros by Umbral

We and various members of our family and friends have been holidaying in these apartments for over 20 years. So as you can tell from that we have always rated it highly and enjoyed staying here but unfortunately the recent takeover has been it's downfall. Despite bad reviews last year, we decided to give the new owners the benefit of the doubt and stayed here for 2 weeks. There was several things which gave us reason to complain and consider not returning but reassurances both from the owners and the managing agents that improvements had been made led to us rebooking to return this year. There were no improvements. We found conditions worse and had even more complaints. There are probably too many to list but:- 1. We don't like having to pay the deposit on arrival against breakages which we have never been asked to do before anywhere in the world. 2. The apartment was reasonably clean on check in and we were given a room in the area we had requested and were given, without cost, an earlier check in than the very late 16:00 standard check in time. 3. We did know there would be no use of the safety deposit box which seems ridiculous as they are in the rooms. This makes things difficult with travel documents, valuables etc that you end up having to carry around with you at all times. 4. The outside patio area of the ground floor apartment was full of ****s and needed sweeping which we did the next day having decided we couldn't sit there for two weeks looking at the state of it. 5. Our apartments were adjacent to the second smaller swimming pool, the surrounding area of which we never saw being cleaned at all or the bins emptied. One day a chap appeared with a net and spent precisely 4 minutes cleaning the pool. The shower area was absolutely disgusting and was never cleaned at all in the whole two weeks. The sun loungers, of which there were only 8 of to start with, one was broken, one the cover was torn. They were all filthy dirty. Two of these were taken away after we had been there a week leaving only 6 for all of the people staying there. We did mention this at reception and we were told they would move some from the main top pool down, this never happened. There was only 18 at the main pool and they were also dirty. 6. During our stay we should have had 3 towel changes, one every 4 days. One change of sheets after 7 days, none of these changes were done without us going to reception the following day to complain that these hadn't taken place. There is no room cleaning done during the duration of the holiday and you are expected to keep it clean yourself. 7. There are obviously workmen/business men staying on site. One night two transit type vans were taking up 6 of the parking spaces outside. There are also in at least two of the apartments people living full time. All of which takes away the holiday feel of the place. 8. One very pleasant friendly female on reception who was very helpful and spoke very good English. Another

We booked 3 studios for a week, we were given apartments instead so that's a huge bonus! The apartments are spacious and clean, they are a bit run down and could do with some tlc but for a place to sleep, they're fine. Ants were a problem in 1 apartment, tried lots of things to get rid of them, in desperation I tried aftershave and it actually worked, they appeared a few days later so they got another dose and that did the trick! The pools are quite small, only 8 sunbeds for each pool, we did see a rat in one of the pools so we didn't use them again. A deposit of 200 euros is required for each accommodation, no towel changes at all even though it stated there would be a change during the week. No shuttle bus and no entertainment, despite it stating so on the website. The staff are all very helpful and friendly, the pool bar is quite reasonable for drinks, cocktails and snacks. Locally there are a few restaurants, some are really friendly, some are really not! We used uber a lot to get out and about, the old town is beautiful and had the most amazing atmosphere, the marina is great for boat trips and kayaking etc also for a drink and a bite to eat.

We arrived at 20.25 on the 13th September reception was closed we walked around where it said bar but was closed , our first impression was it’s deserted it was all in darkness it was quite daunting for me and my husband we are 63 & 70 , about 25 minutes later a reception person turned up no apologies just that he needed 200 euros deposit , we asked could we get a drink or something to eat he said bar closes at 6 and pointed go to end of road turn left , it says entertainment but we saw nothing bar closed early every night says breakfast (it’s ok if you want pizza burgers or toasted sandwiches but I d call that breakfast ) in room safety deposit box wasn’t available so had to carry our passports with us all the time , And it states that towels are changed every 4th day we stayed a week and were not changed . We understood it was a basic place to stay and bars and restaurants were close about 10 minutes walk but what was said that was in the broucher did not exist at the complex .

The positives are the rooms are spotless..cleaning staff are great they..the place need bit TLC..but to be expected its 3 star holiday..the negatives are the bar closes at 9 the staff are rude/ the reception staff are very unhelpful and rude can't talk English you are given mobile phone to speak to so they can tarnseralt..the towels are not changed which they said they would be every 4th day pictures which are posted on *********** are nothing like them very dispointed...no chuttle to beach which we told there was so eva more money spent on uber or 40 minutes walk..definitely won't be returning

Despite the poor yet petty reviews I trusted my gut and booked this place in anyways and I was not disappointed. Have an absoloutely amazing stay. Located on the edge of Aldeia das Açoteias a wee village inland from Olhos Dé Agua it is quiet and serene. Yes there is a 200 euro deposit (note they only take cash or credit card for this nó debit card and my deposit was refunded to my credit card immediately on checkout) but in the long run this might insure a more discerning attitude amongst guests. There was zero disturbance on my stay, it was very peaceful. My apartment was spotless, with no ant infestation. The balcony was facing South East which had ample Sun from dawn until 6 pm. It's worth waking just before dawn when the sky is darkest and lying back on a lounger for some star gazing, Oriens belt is just overhead and with the rural location it is a cosmic spectacular. Sunrise is a spectacular experience also. There are bats and geko lizards so if you are creeped out by this take note. I heard an owl a couple of nights but didn't have the pleasure of seeing it. So many beautiful trees on the grounds, which delighted this tree hugger no end. Kitchen was baisc but ample for my needs. The reception staff were friendly and attentive. Especially Carla she is a beautiful soul and goes out of her way to assist guests. Reception open from 9am to 11pm, closes for lunch from 1-2. The guy who works in the wee bar was champion at multi tasking, working the counter and the kitchen simultaneously. I highly recommend the pizza, great value at 12 euro. I didn't use the pool as I prefer the ocean. 3 great beaches in the area, they are a good half hour walk each but I love walking. I would suggest using Bolt (popular alternative to Uber) if walking not your thing. 2 supermarkets within 5 minutes walk and plenty of places to eat in the area also. I highly recommend Taste of Punjab, its proper authentic. There is a Pastelaria coffee shop called Evra Doce open at 7.30 am which serves AMAZING coffee and pastries. Then Olhos Dé Agua is about 25 minutes away. Frank's Restaurant and Gallean Bar were my favourites there. Overall I was beyond impressed and especially glad I disregarded the petty reviews and trusted my gut. At less than 600 euro for 8 nights with Loveholidays it was worth every penny.

Honest Review.... We stayed here for a week. It's average. It's out of the way so it's a 5/10 minute walk to the restaurant, shops and bus stop in the village. If you want to go anywhere outside of this you need to get a taxi or uber. I downloaded the uber app and uber eats works there also if you are arriving late and find yourself stuck for food. Uber is slightly cheaper than the taxis and it arrives to you in under 4 mins. It costs between 8 and 10 euros. The pool area is nice and it's a nice spot if all you want to do is relax and sunbathe. Now for the not so good parts. When we arrived, at 10.30, we were directed where to go as opposed to be shown. It is laid out across land so there's all different apartments. It might have been nice if the effort was made since we were the only 2 people there. It states that the towels are changed midweek. They were not. They only clean the apartment and change bedding when you leave or after 8 days. The WiFi is a bit iffy. It says it has a flat screen tv, which it has, but all the channels are in Portuguese so I'd advise downloading a few films onto a device before you go. A deposit of 200 euros was needed by either cash or credit card. I only knew this from the reviews. It doesn't state it anywhere apart from that and you get it back at the end of your stay. It states it has a safe. It does but the can't get into it as it was there since the previous owners. I probably wouldn't stay here again.

I arrived @ 11.30 only to find reception was closed there was a number on the window I rang woman on other end of fone said she would be there soon 1/30 mins later a very unprofessional woman arrived not pleasant at all said it’s on website and this is the way it’s done but couldn’t show me we’re it was wrote then asked for €200 deposit gave us our keys and pointed a direction and left rooms are alive with aunts beds are most uncomfortable less than very basic I’m on day 5 of trip still no fresh towels or bed linen to far from beach also take my advice avoid at all costs