BV Airone Resort

We’ve just finished a week here with Neilson and had a great time. The kids’ club was excellent, and the sports were all good. I was especially impressed by the amount and quality of the tennis. The bikes are set up for keen cyclists, with guided rides graded from Blue to Black. We also took a learn-to-sail course and really enjoyed it. Food on the included nights was decent and there was plenty of choice. The BBQ night wasn’t as good, but the bar restaurant was great. We tried one of the two local restaurants, an Italian fish place rather than snoopy pizza, and liked it enough to go twice for lunch and once for dinner. We’d definitely consider coming back.

For a quiet holiday focused on resort activities, this is a good spot. Neilson has done a good job with the place over the past two years. The hotel is good, though it could use a little refreshing. The pool area is excellent, with a nice mix of spaces for kids, recreation and lane swimming. The bar is a bit separate, which helps keep late-night noise away from the accommodation. Sailing and windsurfing are strong points, and it’s a great place to learn, with RYA certification included. Road biking is good, though you have to cross a couple of busy roads first. Beyond those, there’s good climbing and a superb descent from Terra Nova. The area isn’t developed for tourism, so the villages are for local people and you won’t hear much English. It was a surprise to find a cafe where coffee was 1 euro and everyone there was local. The area is relatively poor, so road maintenance isn’t great and descents need care. Neilson’s guided rides were good about looking after you on that front.

The hotel staff are local, friendly and helpful, and the rooms are clean. I’d spend a bit extra for a balcony and a view, since some rooms face the inner menagerie and get little light or outlook. This exclusive Neilson resort opened in 2018, so the sports equipment and tennis courts are all new. At the beach sail center, staff are plentiful, and you can take out any sailboat you like, including a pico, laser, bajia or Dart. There are also windsurfing, kayaks and SUP boards. The SUPs are all 10'8" by 34" RED inflatables, so there are no touring or high-end boards. The large water area is constantly staffed by lifeguards, and there are sun beds and parasols at both the pool and beach. Carbon trek racing bikes cost extra. Spa treatments, excursions, swimming lessons and private PT also cost extra, though most things are included. Food is fantastic, with excellent choice, but there are only four buffet-style evening meals during the week. On the other three nights, you can pay to eat at the resort or go to nearby restaurants and towns. A local tour operator offers paid coach trips, and the hotel runs a free 8 man shuttle to the local shopping center and town. There’s a roof terrace for yoga, HIIT, circuits and stretching. The gym is appalling, just a small air-conditioned basement room with a cheap weights bench and some circuit equipment like throw bags. There are no proper gym machines, rowers, runners, bars or weights section. You might not need it unless the weather is cloudy and rainy, but that happened to us most afternoons. Alcohol isn’t included either. You can add drinks to your room number and pay at the end.

Our family had the holiday of a lifetime at this Neilson resort. The food and facilities were outstanding, and it’s a great fit for anyone who enjoys tennis, sailing, cycling and eating!