Tivoli Carvoeiro

"Another wonderful stay in Carvoeiro. The only minor flag I would raise is that the outdoor Pool is always very cold, despite the sunny weather."

"The room: tidy, but not entirely well thought out Our room was ready on time at 3 PM. At check-in, however, we were not offered any help with our luggage, nor were we even asked about it. I found that somewhat disappointing for a five-star hotel. At check-out, on the other hand, I was asked if I needed help with my suitcases. The staff at check-in and check-out represented the hotel well overall and left a professional impression. The room itself is fine, the balcony is large and has a side view of the ocean. That is what we had booked. However, after the firm booking, we were offered the guarantee of a specific side view for an additional charge. I find that quite outrageous. What kind of side view of the ocean would I have received if I hadn't paid the additional charge? On the balcony, there is no way to hang up wet swimwear or towels or to air out clothing. The privacy on the balcony is also not ideal: You look directly down onto the heads of the guests on the balconies below. And anyone booking a room with a sea view should know that the guests at the restaurant and the sky bar on the fifth and sixth floors have a fairly clear view of the balconies. Regarding the furnishings, there are a few details that bothered me. The headboard of the bed is designed like a frame, the top edge of which is exactly at neck height if you want to sit in bed with pillows behind your back and read or watch TV. Leaning back comfortably is hardly possible with it. The only armchair in the double room is unfortunately not a particularly comfortable alternative either. The lighting concept also doesn't make sense to me: There are many light sources, but none of them make it really cozy. Otherwise, the amenities are decent. There is a safe, a desk, a magnifying mirror, air conditioning, as well as shampoo and conditioner. A few German channels can also be found on the TV. In addition, an electric kettle and a Nespresso machine are provided, and the minibar is well-stocked. We found a nice note and pastries in the room as a welcome. Additionally, a new bottle of water is provided free of charge every day. There is sufficient parking directly in front of the building, which is quite practical given the location. Breakfast: nice view, room for improvement in terms of taste The breakfast scores points first and foremost with the view from the terrace. Some seats are located outdoors, which is of course especially nice. The buffet is fine and actually offers everything you would expect, including sparkling wine and gluten-free products. Various types of bread and rolls are also available to choose from. Unfortunately, in my opinion, they all somehow taste pretty much the same. Overall, I have experienced significantly more convincing breakfast buffets in other five-star establishments. It is not necessarily a lack of selection here, but rather a lack of quality and taste. The coffee served is also surprisingly thin – and that, even though one would actually expect something different from a modern fully automatic machine. Additionally, a Nespresso machine is available for self-service. Omelets and waffles are also freshly prepared at a dedicated station. They kindly fulfilled a special request for me. However, the service in the breakfast room was lamentable at times. With one exception, I did not feel truly welcomed by any waiter. There was hardly a smile, and orders in English were frequently not understood. Training would certainly be helpful here: How does one interact with guests professionally and warmly in a five-star hotel? Multiple times I had the impression that some employees took little pleasure in their work and appeared correspondingly grumpy. Restaurant, hotel bar, and sky bar: The view is the star The view is truly breathtaking. From the bar and the restaurant, you look out at the cliffs, the sea, the seagulls, and the pool. Plus plenty of sun all day long. In my opinion, it is worth coming here to eat just for that alone. The drink prices in the bar belonging to the restaurant are perfectly fine. However, the cocktails advertised by the establishment were nothing special in terms of taste. It gets expensive with the snacks: 23 € for a burger with a small portion of fries is quite a statement. The food was okay, but not a culinary highlight either. The sushi restaurant, on the other hand, offers decent sushi of good quality. In the sky bar, drink prices are significantly higher – in my opinion, too high for what is offered in terms of taste. Pool, spa, and fitness The pool area is pleasantly quiet in the off-season and offers enough lounge chairs and umbrellas. However, there are also many seagulls around in the afternoon. A children's playground is available, as well as a small pool bar with service and draft beer. Anyone who wants to be pampered in the spa should, however, be prepared for quite outrageous prices for the treatments. A fitness room is also available. The surroundings: mostly residential area, little vacation atmosphere In the immediate vicinity of the hotel, there is actually nothing one would wish for in a relaxing vacation spot: just residential area, no bars, no restaurants, and no promenade. You can reach the town on foot in about 20 minutes. Although there are numerous restaurants there, I personally did not like the town at all. I found it extremely uninviting, cheap-looking, and run-down. So you should be aware that you are staying here primarily because of the hotel, the pool, and the view – and not because of a nice town life right outside the door. Conclusion The view is the great asset of this establishment – from the restaurant to the terrace to the pool, it is truly impressive. The room amenities are also decent, and the staff made a professional impression during check-in and check-out. However, when it comes to breakfast, service in the breakfast room, and some details of room comfort, I am missing that certain something that I expect from a five-star hotel. For a stay with an ocean view, pool, and good food, the property is certainly suitable. However, there is not much else to experience in the immediate vicinity. In my opinion, three nights are perfectly sufficient."

"Just back from 6 nights at the Tivoli. Amazing room, really spacious for the 3 of us, with a really big balcony. Would 100% recommend this hotel, and we will be back!"