Rio by Garvetur

First time in this place, despite knowing whole Vilamoura, and i loved it. Quiet area, safe, supermarket and a couple of restaurants nearby in case you don't want to go far, cheap laundry a couple of meters away, plenty of garden areas nearby where you can enjoy a nice walk. The property itself is simple, but it has everything you need, including an iron and a board to help you get your clothes look nicer for your night outs. I was recommended this property months ago, and it was my best option, definitely coming back next year.

Lovely clean apartments staff great nice size studio with flat screen tv plenty of chanels great air con pool area lovely staff nice quiet area with spar near by food in resturant excellent only downside could do with more towels and toilet paper only changed once per week

Where do I start. Before I arrived in Portugal I phoned Rio apartments and asked for a late check out of which we agreed €30 euros which I didn’t think was that bad as would of given us the apartment for an extra 7 hours. They did say we could leave our bags in reception when we check out but there is no where to leave them as reception is mainly closed. When we arrived we were told this isn’t possible once the receptionist actually turned up. We had to phone them and ask where their staff was. They are supposed to be there till 1230 and this was 1145 so they don’t keep to their times advertised. The restaurant is by different people and they kept running out of things like coke cider and even beer. And the resort wasn’t busy. I have stayed here before and came back as the service was ok but this time has totally put me off and not sure I will Come back.

I really enjoyed my entire stay at this beautiful place, staff was really very friendly and helpful during my stay, for me as a regular traveler, I am finding the real meaning of hospitality here and will definitely pay the hotel another visit in the very near future, just walking by few minutes and I am there at the Marina, thanks to all the management and hotel staff for their efforts to make my stay just joyful and nice , I highly recommended everyone to book it

Just arrived back from these apartments would most definitely not recommend anyone to go there. We were lucky a receptionist was there when we arrived had to pay €300 on credit card do not know what is worth that amount in the apartment and also we are a middle aged couple so wouldn’t be into trashing an apartment. The apartment was clean enough and also big enough for 2 people it was a studio. There is very little to do around the area a couple of small bar/cafes at the end of the hill. There is a restaurant and small bar on sight run by a couple nothing to do with the apartments it’s okay but pricey. The reception staff are nice enough except for one who just stands outside smoking all day or sitting in the restaurant if you ask her anything she says she has to ask her colleague and you hear no more. It says no hen/stag parties are allowed to stay however for the first couple of days we were there a crowd of English lads spent their day shouting across the pool to their friends on their balcony and when they rolled home at night banged on the apartment doors on the corridor. I complained about this but was told I should have rang the emergency number I was given on arrival and that they were going home that day . A lot of ants in the bathroom and kitchen looked for a spray but never got one bought one myself. Towels and toilet rolls only changed twice in 10 days also had to get these in the shop. This is not that cheap a holiday so would have expected better service even cleaned the apartment changed beds and towels even every other day .

When we arrived, me and my partner, there was no reception (midday). There was absolutely no one around. We went down the steps to the pool area, after travelling there for 13 hours and hot and tired, and sat at the bar (restaurant). We told the waiter that there was no reception and he advised we speak to the receptionists who were seated nearby, eating. I approached the receptionists, clearly we are new arrivals by our dress and luggage! The receptionist put her hand up in my face without looking at me and stated that she was on her lunch break. I advised that I wouldn’t dream of taking her lunch break but asked if there was a stand in, in their absence. She angrily retorted that she was on her break. We sat there for a further 2 hours, tired and sweltering, for 1.5 hours more. When we got to reception (same woman now fed), she processed our admission. We were told that we needed to pay £300 security (not told before) and that there was only a taxi service if we needed to get around. She said that the bus service would be confusing to us and too complicated. What do you know - the bus service runs like the London circular line, impossible to get lost on and is regular and fun. We went all across the Algarve on this “too complicated for us” bus route. The busses don’t charge either! The Algarve is amazing, the locals are amazing, but the reception at Rio was disgusting and we’ll never return!