Hotel Una Brighton

Back at home now.  Finally.  As posted yesterday we were at Hotel Una in Brighton last night.  A windy day which meant that I did not take the kids to the beach, or the pier as I had intended.  Instead we spent sometime shopping and I had a much overdue hair cut.

The hotel stay was great though.  From when my wife phoned to make the booking to after we checked out, the staff there were brilliant.  The room was great, remember this is a boutique hotel, so do not expect a huge amount of space, but they way they use it is admirable.  The bar was great, they way they accommodated our two kids was brilliant, the recommendation as to where to eat, what to do in the day, advice on car parking, where to go and what to do in Brighton as well as looking after our cases once we had checked out.  We have stayed in Brighton before, the last time was over five years ago and we are used to great service in the town, and while we have not been disappointed in the past this place has been the best so far, and considering the competition it faces, I think that has to be considered as well.  When we return to Brighton, even though we have had great experiences in other the places we have stayed, I suspect this will be the first place that we will call.

Casalingo Brighton

Well, we are back in the UK and as the kids are not back at school until next week, we have taken them to Brighton.  My original idea was a day trip to France to get some wine, beer and get the kids to learn a bit of French, but my wife talked sense into me.  We are staying in a boutique hotel but I will post more on that tomorrow if I get the chance.  On booking in, we were recommended a local restaurant and I have to say that I felt that food was excellent.  I am not sure my wife liked it as much as I did, but our kids were knackered which spoilt our enjoyment of the food.  The wine, food and service was in my view, excellent.  The food takes a while, but when it is made properly it is going to.  The only down side is when you have tired kids, but if I had listened to my wife again (yes, she was right today on so many occasions) they would have visited sooner and this would not have been an issue.

If we come back to Brighton again to eat, I would like to eat here again.  If you want a neutral view, read this review.

Pizzeria & Ristorante Donato

Last day of the holiday today, back home tomorrow.  Was not as warm as it has been before today which was a shame.  We had planned on going back to the beach and eating at the restaurant there, but as it was a bit chilly, we decided against this for now.  It was warmer than the day we arrived, but a bit too cold to enjoy the pool or the beach.  I suspect that it will be warmer than home though!  So we spent most of the day at the hotel just relaxing.  We did go out to a little Pizza place that we had seen many times.  We had tried to go there on Monday but it was closed then.

I have to say it was a good place to go.  Good pizza, freshly made with staff who provide good service and who like kids.  The two kids loved seeing the pizza being made in the oven and were made to feel welcome.  On Trip Advisor it has some good and some bad reviews.  It was not too busy when we went so it is hard to comment on how the service would be if it was a bit more hectic but it is somewhere we would return to.

Anyway, bags packed, have to wake early in the morning now...

Quinta dos Vales

Today it has been a trip to a vineyard where we saw art, wine, figs and animals.  While this would appear to be a strange combination, it was one I think the children enjoyed as they got to see a whole range of different things.  The kids have had a much more relaxing day, my daughter making notes in the morning when we were out, and then before a siesta, they explored the hotel complex.  A quick sleep, play in the playground and then we went out to eat.  We had been to Rei das Praias earlier on this trip and the meal once again was amazing.  The service would appear to be slow to someone who did not appreciate the attention they put towards the food that they serve, and because of that, I would say that unless children are prepared, this probably is not the most child friendly place to visit.  But our kids had slept before hand and armed with some electronic toys, they were happy to wait while my wife and I talked and watched the enthusiasm of the waiters.  The people who work there are proud of the food they serve and rightly so considering the standard of it and the service they offer is good with great attention being paid to the kids.  Fresh fish and shell fish is hard to ruin, and they serve it so well, my daughter loving it loads.  We will be going back.

Praia dos Caneiros

We went back there today.  All I can say is that it is an amazing beach, one which the kids love.  They enjoyed the sea and they enjoyed the sun.  And also the food, though the ice cream/lollies probably helped.  Afterwards, while my wife made use of the spa the kids slept which meant that we were able to go out at night again to ONZE, though this time we almost did not get a table as we had not booked!  Great day for all once again.

ONZE Restaurant, Praia de Carvoeiro

Today was day trip day.  First we went to Silves to visit the castle.  The kids loved the trip, as did I.  I think my wife did as well most of it anyway.  My daughter who had been learning about castles before I think appreciated it, but both the kids loved being able to walk on the battlements.

Dinner was outside the hotel, taken in Carvoeiro in a place over looking the beach.  Thanks to the kids having a siesta they were able to eat out and enjoy it.

Vale D'oliveiras Quinta Resort And Spa

Today the kids got to spend the day at the pool.  It was an enjoyable day, one where the wife and I got to relax and the kids got to try to swim.  As you can see from the picture, there are two pools, one deeper, that being in the backgroud.  The kids did try the deeper one with me, but in general they were more than happy to splash around in the shallow one.  So far, so good here.  The service is friendly and the setting is wonderful.  My wife has yet to try the spa but if it is like the rest of our stay here so far, she will have a great time.

Rei das praias

Well, today was another good day.  Started of with breakfast at the hotel which I think we all enjoyed.  Last night my wife and I were told that the hot chocolate that is made at this hotel is really heated up chocolate milk, and I love the milk, be it warm or cold.  Helps that I love chocolate, and so do the kids.  

So after breakfast, a trip to the local supermarket to buy somethings which I had forgotten to pack, like razors, hayfever tablets etc as well as food and drink so that we do not have to go out to eat every day.  

And then it was a trip to the beach.  Yesterday was a great day, but it was a bit cold, so today, I expected the same.  I guess we looked like a bunch of idiots turning up to the hot sandy beach in jeans! The kids did get wet in the sea and also they got to bury me in sand, and then we ate at the restaurant at the beach which not only had a great view, but had great food, drinks and service as well.

They are so tired right now, just put them to bed.  But they have really enjoyed today.

Hilton Gatwick

Well, it has been an interesting start to the holiday so far.  Yesterday we travelled to Gatwick to fly away today. 

We have stayed at the Hilton in Gatwick before, this being in the time before kids, the attraction being the walk way into the terminal, but this time the experience was more memorable.  The kids were one reason, they loved being away from home and they both loved the room.  We ate in Giraffe in the terminal before going back to the room.  It was a great room, loads of space for the kids, the only issue I had being the bed which I was convinced was not level, and I feel it was due to this that I nearly fell out of bed on more than one occasion in the night.  But other than that, it was a great stay and I am sure that if ever we have the opportunity to stay there again that the same would not happen again with the bed issue and the reason for this was the communication that took place by e-mail before our stay and the way the staff were helpful.  Besides, things could have been worse.  If we had stayed at the Sofitel, we would not have been able to book in due to a security alert!

Anyway, we are knackered now.  The kids have had a full day, waking up early in the morning and then a flight and now a stay elsewhere!