I'm thinking of going to Carvoeiro for the first time this year and would be grateful if anyone could tell me what the resort is like that I am thinking about booking. I found these holiday villas at Monte Santo Resort It looks very nice on the web site but has anyone been there? Any feedback most welcome. Dave

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It is one of the newest and largest developments and up market for the area.
It is 10.15 mins walk into town ( a bit longer coming back , uphill ).
Close to the Monte Carvoreiro area with its good choice of restaurants.

Monte Santo is probably the most expensive development in Carvoeiro.

Thank you EMM!

Do you know what the service is like?

From reports very good I think that this will be the first summer that it is fully open.

If you look on www.carvoeiro .com newsletters section and look back a couple of months there is a report and photos.

We think it's a nice resort, but then again, we're probably biaised because we own a property there. We've been three times this year and are plannimg to go again in August. What I would say is that the resort's restaurant seems to quite expensive (we haven't eaten there) and that the drinks menu is also pricey. The place is clean, well maintained, has nice pools and nice properties. The staff are very helpful. There are a few restaurants nearbye and we enjoy the walk into and back from town, regardless of the time of day!
Hope this helps.

Ian & Heather.

Is that the yellow place that looks like San Quentain when you fly over it??

Yes it is , it even has watchtowers and a gatehouse.

To keep us rif raf from down the hill out.

Ah, so that would be the place that made me weep (not in joy) on my last visit a few months ago ! Unexpectedly hit in the face by the development as I was driving to Sesmarias ! Hmmmmmm. Where is the character ? Maybe sterile suits many folk but for me you could be anywhere....I felt saddened by it. Hope some of you feel the same.

Is that the resort that looks unpainted cos its that mud colour,and everything looks ontop of each other and all the same.
However, it was a while back, and perhaps they have pretified it since then

We flew over it with Roy4eyes last year....it really did look like a prison complex....a total eyesore....however did it get planning permission?? A little "planning gain" maybe??

It is the first of the 5* plus resorts planned for the area.
The company behind it aslo operates the very upmarket cascades resort in Villamoura.

Its not for the likes of us Gov.

What you mean is, another 5 homogenus star resort that could be anywhere in the world has landed like a tardis west of Monte Carvoeiro??

We chose Carvoeiro exactly because it didnt have the awful resorts built around it like Villamoura has. Hopefully it has brought the benefit of extra local jobs.

When this was in the early stages of construction we thought it would provide somewhere local to go for a drink or meal but it does not welcome the casual visitor.

Those who own/stay there have paid way above the average to do so so obviously they want to keep it for their target market.

Time will tell if CVO is the place they are looking for compared to somewhere like Villamoura with its extensive development, food, retail . leisure and entertainment opportunities.

Well, I am surprised at some of the comments posted here. If you don't like the look of the place, just say so. To liken it to a prison is unfair, just because it's laid out in a structured form. It does have a gatehouse but I personally don't see what the issue is here. I find it odd that the security measures are questioned when there have been numerous posts on this forum relating to crime - burglary - in and around Carvoeiro. Surely, this puts people's minds at ease and reduces the fear of crime. In addition to this, I also have to say that the majority of the properties we pass whilst out walking are generally bordered by very tall walls and or fences, supported by the widespread use of CCTV systems.The 'watchtower' is a viewing area for residents or guests and I haven't seen anyone from the staff scanning the area with rifles or automatic weapons at the ready, as is insinuated.
Total eyesore? Have you driven through Monte Dourado lately? Also, with regard to the comment that we have paid 'way over the odds', I refute this as we often check out estate agents windows and the asking prices for the type of property we would be interested in are at least twice what we we paid.
At the end of the day, one man's meat is another's poison. We all have our likes and dislikes but unfortunately, on this occassion, I feel that some of the comments are a tad barbed, and uncalled for.

Still unsure from the following comments if its the resort that is the muddy brown colour, then at least I know which complex one is discussing.
I do hope my comment did not disturbed you, Rossi's idol by saying ' Is that the resort that looks unpainted cos its that mud colour,and everything looks ontop of each other and all the same. However, it was a while back, and perhaps they have pretified it since then'. I was merely asking if we were discussing the same resort. In no way was it a barbed comment, and I apologise if you think it was meant thus.