"This was a last minute booking for us as Jet2 informed us of issues at the hotel we’d originally booked in Menorca so this seemed like a safe bet. Based on reviews, location and our specific ‘wants’ for our main holiday.
On arrival at Vila Galè Nautico, we were met with a very helpful receptionist who explained the checking in process and meal times etc very thoroughly. The reception area was clean and quiet and she informed us that the hotel was only at 50% capacity which was a bonus.
Our room on the 4th floor was clean, spacious and had a view over the pool and to the sea right above the restaurant area.
Staff at meal times are very friendly and get drinks to you straight away but that’s where the goodness of meal times stop.
The buffet is SO small( same every day), and anything fresh is cooked whilst you wait, the queue for it doesn’t allow you access to the Bain Marie’s that has the’ luke warm’ food in them. Burger night (Mondays) is just one long queue as nothing is cooked in advance (any night) so you can be waiting for over 10-15 minutes if the food cooked is snapped up by those taking a couple of burgers/hot dogs at a time, they have the smallest hot plate I’ve seen in a hotel! The wait times drastically increased when what appeared to be a coach load of teenagers and their teachers arrived on day 3 and took the place over. Queues were terrible and seating was sparse.
The food is bland, tasteless and very limited. I’d go as far as saying the food was 2* whilst the hotel overall is a 3* maximum! If you like rice or potatoes that’s pretty much all you’ll get.
There is a pool side snack bar which serves sandwiches, burgers, fries, salads and drinks from 10:30 which in our opinion is a much better option than queuing for the buffet in the main restaurant. Down to personal preference I guess?!
There’s a strict no reserving of sun beds which is good so even at 10am you’ll get a bed by the pool. So no worries there.
Entertainment is pretty dire in the evenings and even ‘themed nights’ are fairly mediocre.
The walls between the rooms are so thin you can literally hear everything from rooms either side and above you and some parents think it’s ok to allow their children to run down the corridors screaming at 7am! Definitely not what you want if you’ve come away for a relaxing break (as we did).
Location wise the hotel is across the road from the beach and a short walk to local shops and restaurants but again, they’re all pretty similar. The area is being heavily developed at the moment so watch out for the dumper trucks and lorry’s driving up the Main Street. Walk as far as the fortress in the village where it’s a little more picturesque, it’ll take you about 20/25 minutes. The hotel is situated on the edge of the town with large residential blocks which are off the Main Street along the front.
You can use your Uber app over here but be prepared to wait for a taxi unless you pay for an XL. We got a taxi into Albufeira old town which cost around £14 for 9 miles which was reasonable.
The old town itself is vibrant, full of bars, shops, stag and hen parties. We didn’t stay too late as we had a feeling there was potential for some rowdiness.
Back to the hotel, if you want 4* decor, 4* food, 4* service DO NOT COME HERE! It’s 3* AT A PUSH. Won’t be returning."
