Hotel Vila Gale Evora

There was a terrible sewage smell in both the men's and women's spa changing rooms, which made the time before and after my massage unpleasant. The massage itself was weak on both technique and pressure, even after I asked the masseuse to use more. A weak shower head would have made a bigger impact. The spa circuit was packed, with lots of children running around and shouting. No rules seemed to be enforced, so expect splashing and people taking photos and videos inside the sauna. I used to come every couple of months, but the quality has fallen too much. This will definitely be my last visit.

I skipped the restaurant apart from the breakfast buffet, which was satisfactory. The pool did the job, but it was busy with families and children. I only wanted to tan, so that was okay, though it wasn't peaceful or much of a vibe for a solo traveller, couple, or younger group. The hotel itself is cute and compact, with plenty going on. It was convenient to have shops and restaurants nearby, and the downtown area was a 10-15 minute walk away. The gym was my main issue. It's downstairs in an open area, directly under a skylight, so it gets incredibly hot during the day and makes no sense for working out. It's also in full view from the upstairs lobby. The spa employee sits facing it, people keep coming through the spa to get pool towels, and everyone heading to the elevator can see you. I ended up skipping my usual workouts because of all that. The staff were hospitable, and the stay was enjoyable overall. If you want a no-frills hotel, it's perfectly adequate.

The rooms were an okay size, and the staff were very friendly. The hotel was probably the best option in the area, but there was no coffee or tea in the rooms. Pool towels couldn't be swapped during the day, which seemed odd. Breakfast and the swimming pool both got crowded, so go early for breakfast if you want to avoid the rush. There aren't enough sunbeds, and people tend to occupy them from early morning until dinner. The indoor pool requires swimming caps.

We had a spacious, modern room and a short walk into the town centre. The bar was great, the amenities were awesome, and the staff were welcoming and helpful. Can't think of a bad thing to say. Excellent hotel!