Carvoeiro 2009 Holiday review

[Bristle Si]

Hi all!

Just returned today from an 11 night stay in Carvoeiro. I think it was our 9th visit in 8 years.

Had a great time as usual, so here's my review and i stress these are our personal opinions:

First the 'bad point' - the rip-off supermarkets in Carvoeiro. Yes, we only used the ones in town (no hire car to go out to Lagoa) and luckily, as a couple, we don't really need to buy much, other then milk, bread, water, soft drinks, some fruit. But for those families visiting it must seem very expensive (And this is not just down to the exchange rate). And we had it on good (local) authority that the co.s owning these supermarkets increase prices specifically for the summer months - blatant profiteering and a real source of annoyance on our part. To those co.s we say "You're giving an element of Carvoeiro a bad name and could seriously damage chances of first-timers (especially families) from returning!"

Secondly the 'sad point' - What has happened to Monte Carvoeiro - referring specifically to the 'circle' of restaurants/bars. The Cocktail Garden was busy as usual, but with tfour empty 'units' in that part it felt really neglected and we only went there on 2 occasions. Not to eat, i will add - the likes of O Salmao and Elliots are not good value for money IMO and in truth, overpriced!

Thirdly the good points - Great weather (bar this Monday afternoon - 2 hours of thundery showers), relaxed during the day and enough to entertain in the evening. We thought the music in the street opposite Oasis was really good on the Tuesdays.
The new square is not bad; certainly not as bad as some forum members have made out, although we understand it may be 'ripped up' in the winter!

The bars - thanks to Havana Cocktail Bar for the early evening/pre-dinner cocktails - well worth a visit.
Round-Up Saloon - great service, lively nights, the best live music it has had since we've been visiting, brilliant atmosphere and thanks to Big Will for a great BIG welcome! Also hats-off to Alan and Ade for the karaoke nights. Too many late nights though!

Food was brilliant - Yes, we have our favourites, but all provide great value for money and not rip-off prices. Full review of our visited restaurants will be added to the restaurant thread later.

Can't wait 'til next year - here's hoping the £ strengthens by then!!

[EMM]

We too just back , but more of a working holiday than just a rest.
We avoid the " in town supermarkets " and Intermarche as they are aimed at tourists and like any where ( even the UK ) prices always reflect this.
But there are still smaller shops which service the local trade which are worth seeking out.
We had a real find in the Indian at the top of farrol ( always busy when others quiet ) , portions bigger than castello and food spicier.
Phoenix nights good value plus the 2 for 1 happy hour making it more so.
Best bar for a quiet drink Talvez, best place for a laugh Jailhouse ( it can get any worse but I bet it does ).

[fmm]

I agree that you can shop more cheaply, but to be honest, I tend to try to support the local supermarket near us (next to O cantinho) as I believe they HAVE to make the most of the summer months when people are prepared to pay higher prices. For the convenience of being able to wander down the road, I don't mind paying a bit over the top and if that helps them stay open year round, then so much the better!

Glad you had good weather - can't wait until we are out again in October - fingers crossed that the good weather continues!

[Bristle Si]

It's not that people "are prepared to pay higher prices", they have no option if they want to stock up with provisions!

Plus, some of the supermarkets in town are not "local" but are part of bigger portuguese co.s. My advice would be to avoid them as much as you can and that, commercially, will put pressure on them to keep prices low. Easier for couples, i know, to save a bit more money for a lunch out; even though in real terms it's costlier you are getting a good value lunch, whilst depriving these supermarkets of income.

Forgot to mention Phoenix Nights in my bar review - only drank there on a couple of occasions (late afternoon). Hats off for serving Stowford Press cider on tap and it's a decent pint of the cider. However, one bar in town (which will remain nameless) is also serving Stowford Press, but it's not the real deal IMO - i think that bar owner needs to have a word with the distributor!

[fmm]

I had not realised that any of the supermarkets were anything other than family run concerns. I know that the one I use are open all hours of day and night and have had the same people working in them for years. I don't like the idea of anyone ripping me off, but the family run concerns need to be able to make a living. Larger concerns (no idea where they are!) should be more careful but again, if we want the luxury of supermarkets in the town without having to drive, then we know that we are going to have to pay for it.

[kteee]

The small supermarkets in the village are family run businesses, as far as I'm aware (I know several of the owners), and yes, if we want the convenience of small 'corner' shops, we have to pay for that - it's the same everywhere

[Bristle Si]

OK. Without wanting to prolong the debate on the town supermarkets and 'supporting the locals' here are some prices i experienced and IMO these are rip-off prices in any one's terms:

Can of Coke - 1 euro - so at today's exchange rate about 90p - v.expensive for UK visitors.
Large pineapple - 2.50 euros - again expensive.
Pack of Bacon (portuguese, not imported Danish or British) 4 euros - i'm going veggie!
Packs of meat were about 3 euros.
Cheese - averaged aboiut 3 - 4 euros.
Even the local fruit and veg was expensive.
If you're thinking of doing a barby the choice of meat in the town supermarkets is almost non-existent.

Just eat in the restaurants and have egg on toast for brekkie in your villa/apartment!

Don't like to slate CVO, but this is one element that does get my back up. Everything else about CVO is great!!

P.S. To any tourist wanting a bottle of booze for the holiday or to take home, visit the specialist drink/ciggie shops - i bought 2 litre bottles of Smirnoff Vodka for 11.49 euros each in the one underneath the Metabixio Cafe and a litre of Bacardi for 12.95 euros to take home. The supermarkets were charging another couple of euros on top of these prices.

Cheers

[kteee]

We paid over 2 euros for a large pineapple in Pão de Açucar today so not much difference

[Bensmum]

I cannot believe this topic, you are on holiday and if the local supermarkets are prepared to open from early morning until late evening they are providing a convenience - please support them they are part and parcel of the town (I wont say village it is not that anymore). You are on holiday using the Euro which to visitors from the UK will make things more expensive anyway. Go anywhere in Europe and things will be more expensive than normal, this is all to do with the exchange rate - you wont be moaning if the pound rises in value against the Euro - luck of the draw!

[dodger]

Best or should I say worst price I saw was 8 frozen....yep frozen sausages 6euros.....!!!!

Needless to say they didny find their way into the basket,agree cans of pop in ALL supermarket 1euro is extortionate....my local golf club pro is cheaper and that is saying summit!

[ken]

Yes its the same as any convenience store even in UK, and happy to pay for that luxury sometimes.

One thing I would say about many of the convenience stores in CVO is that they fail to understand the basic rules of economics. If trade is poor, it seems to be in the Portuguse mentality to try and combat this by raising prices even higher chasing more profit. This just leads to less customer footfall and downward spiral, rather than the more sensible option of filling the place by accepting lower margins.

Noticed a similar mentality applies in certain restaurants (20E for bog standard steak on restaurant hill), bars and golf clubs (if course not empty due to silly green fees the club house is since they think its OK to charge E4.50+ for pint of beer).

Seems simple to me, and all the places that are busy are offering value will survive, but many others just don't seem to get it.

[loretta]

They wanted 9.50 euro for a 6x1litre pack of evian water in the local cvo supermarket.. I get it in London for £3.75.

[kteee]

I doubt Evian water is much in demand here - there are so many PT bottled waters that most people will buy those

[fmm]

I pay 1 euro for 3 bottles of "normal" bottled water at the local supermarket

[EMM]

Packs of bacon, and various meats, 1Euro at Continente, Guia and Portimao.

Other products similar good value, fish, prawns, fresh meat and veg.

The small shops in CVO are not typical ,far from it of shopping in Portugal