We were at the Tivoli for one week from 8th July.

The work on the new spa was minimum and there was little noise. However, as already mentioned the kids round the pool made alot more noise, not to mention very young babies crying to be fed.

The hotel itself and staff were excellent. We were on the 6th floor facing the marina (fantastic view) and these floors had obviously just been refurbished and were truly excellent. Unfortunately our friends were on the 1st floor and clearly the refurbishment hadn't reached them.

The breakfasts were incredible and the choice was certainly 5*.

We would definitely return to this hotel as the location was perfect. We would again request a high floor overlooking the harbour.

We returned last week from a stay at the Marinotel. This was incidentally our Honeymoon {although we did have our 23 month old daughter in tow!}

We arrived to a polite welcome from the Reception staff and swiftly checked in and shown to our room on 6th floor with a sea view. Our room had recently been updated and was spotless and modern with all the necessary facilities including big power shower. The management had also put red roses and champagne on ice in our room with their compliments for our Honeymoon which was a nice touch!

We spent a lot of time on the beach as we found it easier with our daughter there, the pool area {especially the childrens pool} gets very busy and its not as relaxing as the beach. However with reference to what another reviewer wrote recently about the "swarms of screaming kids" this is a family hotel and is widely advertised everywhere as a family hotel with kids clubs etc, so its fairly obvious at the time of booking that theres likely to be a lot of families with young children! Its not some quiet, romantic, relaxing hideaway for couples!

As most of the other reviews state the breakfasts were very good. Huge choice and helpful staff always ready to refill your coffee cups! The restaurants and places to eat on the Marina were for us, a tiny bit disappointing. Theres an overall feeling of "Brits Abroad" on the marina with most restaurants catering for the brits instead of giving us local, traditional portuguese dishes. Although that said the Piri Piri Chicken at the Mayflower was good!

All in all as hotels go, this one i would recommend. Its best for families with children of all ages looking for a child friendly holiday with good ammenities for children and guaranteed portuguese sunshine!

This is a first class hotel fully deserving its five star rating.
From the moment you walk into the extensive reception area you just know that this hotel is a cut above the rest.
Pleasant and efficient reception staff are there to great you and the attentive porters have loaded up your luggage and are ready to guide you to your room as soon as you have been given your key.
My partner and I were allocated a beach view room on the eighth floor and we were deighted with both the room and the view.Our room appeared to have been recently decorated and a brand new 40" LCD sat on the dressing table.The beds were extremely comfortable and the large bathroom complete with shower/bath and two wash hand basins,was spotless and remained so for the duration of our stay.
The maid service was TWICE daily and of the highest standard and the same must be said of the service throught the hotel.The Portuguese just seem that bit more friendly and obliging than their immediate neighbours!
Breakfast was excellent with a variety to suit all dietary requirements but queues do begin to form after nine and although it moves fairly quickly can be a bit irksome.
When we were checking in to the hotel we were given a discount voucher for the hotel's Sirius Grill that over looks the marina,so we availed ourselves of this on our second night.The food was excellent,if a bit overpriced but the service was painfully slow.
There are numerous eating places situated all around the marina and in the side streets set back from the marina.I highly recommend The Mayflower and The Old Navy aswell as the Steak Restaurant just next door to the latter. Booking for the Old Navy and The Mayflower is advisable.

There is an ample poolside and grass area for sunbathing and towels are supplied by the pool staff.Through a gate(opened by using your room key card) you can cross a narrow road and enjoy the magnificent beach,a section of which has a variety of rather luxurious beach loungers for hire and attended to by the staff from the beach bar.

Our stay was the last week in May and first week in June and if I was returning-and I fully intend to- I would go in June thus avoiding the still relatively low temp 18-20 degrees and of course the English schools' mid term!!

We have just returned from our holiday and the title says it all. The building work looks as if it is near completion - they were putting the tiles on the roof when we were there. There was minimal noise from the workmen - in fact they couldn't be heard because of the amount of children in and around the pool. And boy did they scream! This is definately not the place to go if you want a relaxing holiday. Even in the dining room there was always a child having a tantrum. It became quite amusing, and I'm pleased we took it with that attitude as it could quite easily have spoilt our holiday.
I also agree with some of the other reviews regarding the Tivoli. In my opinion it is definately not 5*. Our room had several stains on the carpet. One of the sockets was hanging off the wall. The curtains didn't fit properly. And the shower head fell out of its holding every time the shower was turned off.
However, the view from our room was fantastic.
Would we return? MMmmm..........No.
Roll on next year when we return to our beloved Madeira. Now that's 5*!!