31.5.10

Tripadvisor - Thank you

Having spent a great week at the Hotel Garbe in April 2009 we were eagerly awaiting our return in May 2010. This time we were delighted to bring our latest addition to the family, a 9 month old boy. I am delighted to say the Hotel once again made our holiday a memorable one for all the right reasons.

Myself and my wife along with our two children had a great holiday. We are only home a week and we are planning our next visit.

Where do I start,

1. The family suite was perfect. Very spacious with air conditioning, mini fridge, tea/coffee making facilities etc and the best beach views on the Algarve.

2. The rooms as always were spotless and the housekeeping staff always had a smile for you..oh and the entire hotel staff are so good with young children.

3. The pool was so nice and relaxed. Despite having very 'mobile' baby we all enjoyed the pool. The sun lounge area was quiet and relaxed and the beach bar was ideal for snacks and their cool freshly squeezed orange juice is something else!!

4. The buffet breakfast every morning was as good as I remembered it. It's good to see a hotel that does not cut corners on quality, the food was very good with a fine selection of hot and cold food available on the buffet.

5. The Indian cuisine at the Raj Restaurant was top notch.

6. The location of the hotel on the beach is so convenient, a minute's walk will bring you onto a beautiful beach.

7. Finally, in the evening my wife and I loved retiring to the bar for a drink to watch the sun set. The views from the bar provided the perfect backdrop to end another fine day on the Algarve.

Overall the hotel was ideal for us. It is so relaxed and you can see that on the faces of the guests, smiles all round. Friendly staff, very reasonable prices and a view of the Atlantic to die for....what else do you need.


We will definitely return in 2011.


Tripadvisor

27.5.10

Contributed - New Book of Short Stories set in the Algarve

New Book of Short Stories set in the Algarve in 2007 by Lisa Selvidge

A new book of interlinking short stories set in the Algarve in 2007. The stories chart the lives of locals, tourists and ex-pats alike while the media are focused on a little girl who has disappeared. Lisa Selvidge, a resident of the Algarve for 6 years and a graduate in Portuguese and Russian, has been inspired by the different inhabitants of the Algarve, both those who choose to make it their home and those who were born there, as well as the effects of one of the biggest media coverages the Algarve has ever known.

SYNOPSIS:
An English couple in search of an easier life in the sun, a German hippie with a singing dog, a UK property developer, a Portuguese waiter, a showgirl at the casino, a drug dealer, an old widow in the mountains and a fisherman’s son make up some of the memorable cast of characters that inhabit these interlinking stories. Minor characters become protagonists in others in this rich tapestry of life in the Algarve in the summer of 2007 when a little girl went missing.

‘Lisa Selvidge has brilliantly captured the essence of life in the Algarve, delving beneath the charming white-washed exterior to express a darker side to life in the sun for locals, ex-pats and tourist. Beyond the Sea is a bitter-sweet portrayal of on-goings that are not only fascinating, but unsettlingly realistic – like peeking through the neighbour’s window. I thoroughly enjoyed it.’ Carrie-Marie Bratley, The Portugal News

‘It's hard to get short stories just right. Lisa Selvidge unfurls her collection with a clear insight into the Algarve’s loosely woven workings with a worryingly perceptive grasp of the human condition - just right!’ Paul Rees, get real weekly
‘A delicious kaleidoscopic view of the sun-soaked polyglot Algarve.’ Natasha Donn, Algarve 123

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Selvidge has an MA in creative writing from the University of East Anglia and taught creative writing for 9 years at both the UEA and the Norwich School of Art & Design. She is the author of The Trials of Tricia Blake, The Last Dance over the Berlin Wall and a Writing Fiction Workbook. She has also edited a collection of writings about the Algarve called Summer Times.

The book is published by Montanha Books on May 28 2010 and will be available from online bookshops and www.lisaselvidge.com for £8.95. It is also available as a download for £3.00 from http://stores.lulu.com/lisa9 and throughout shops in the Algarve including The Griffin Bookshop, Almancil, The Owl Story Bookshop, Lagos, The Magna Carta, Alvor and Lura dos Livros, Tavira.

There will be a book launch at the Galeria Porca Preta, Monchique on June 10 at 6.30 pm, 2010 including refreshments and live music, and at The Griffin Bookshop, Almancil on June 24 at 6.00 pm.

26.5.10

Fantastic Things


Importers of British High Street Labels

will be selling a wide selection of clothing
in the Hotel Garbe

on Thursday, 27th May, 2010, Thursday 10th June and Thursday, 24th June, 2010
Burton, Ralph Lauren, M&S, Monsoon and many more.

Chelb Room
Hotel Garbe

from 10.00am - 7.00pm




Coming up - Contributed


21.5.10

New Room


On 1st July, 2010 the Hotel Garbe will become the Holiday Inn Algarve. As part of our commitment to 'Great Hotels Guests Love' we have refurbished a sample bedroom, a further 66 guest rooms will be complete by end of June

From the press

The official relaunch of the hotel as the Holiday Inn Algarve is set for July 1.

By DAISY SAMPSON daisy.sampson@theresidentgroup.com

Works to rebrand and redecorate the Hotel Garbe in Armação de Pêra have already begun as part of the process to convert the hotel into a Holiday Inn.

The 185-room hotel on the seafront in Armação de Pêra, which first opened its doors to clients in 1963, has already had works to refurbish the reception area of the hotel completed and 66 of the rooms in the hotel will be redecorated and brought in line with the Holiday Inn standard by the end of June, with the rest of the rooms being remodelled during the winter months.

The official relaunch of the hotel as the Holiday Inn Algarve is set for July 1. A spokesman from the Hotel Garbe told the Algarve Resident: “The hotel has not been sold and all the staff at the hotel will remain the same. This relaunch will mean that the hotel will no longer be known as the Garbe but it will retain all the quality services clients have come to know.

“It is great for the staff here who are learning new skills and this will be passed onto the clients of the hotel.”

The changes to the Hotel Garbe are part of a 20-year franchise agreement whereby the hotel will benefit from the advantages associated with being part of a large group while still maintaining the management, administration, responsibility and ownership of the hotel.

The spokesman added: “It has been sad to lose the name of the Garbe but we intend to rename perhaps the meeting room or a suite with the name Garbe to honour the tradition of the past.”

Other developments to take place at the hotel as part of the relaunch include the refurbishment of a meeting room for up to 50 delegates which is due to be completed by December 2010, new signage and logos, upgrade showers and bathroom amenities and new exterior landscaping.

Client bookings will not be affected by the changes.

For further information about the changes, please call the Hotel Garbe on 282 320 260.

Source: Algarve Resident

19.5.10

Algarve - News and Events

Don't miss this months Be Hip Show - now online - http://www.hipalgarve.net

From our Golf Desk

Hello Helen & Jane

Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Garbe.We send our heartiest thanks to the pair of you & to every member of staff for the wonderful welcome & service that is always on offer at the Garbe!! All arrangements from the car, our favourite room & the Golf schedule were superb. Even the weather was delivered to order.


Kind regards

14.5.10

Holiday Inn Algarve Coming soon!!!!

From 1st July 2010 the Hotel Garbe will become the Holiday Inn Algarve.

As part of our commitment to ‘Great Hotels Guests Love’ the reception area of the hotel has been refurbished and a further refurbishment of 66 guest rooms will be complete by end of June.

We hope to see you soon in the new Holiday Inn Algarve.

11.5.10

Contributed - ALFA

The association of literature and film friends in the Algarve

A associação dos amigos da leitura e do filme no Algarve

ALFA – the association of literature friends in the Algarve holds a literature salon in English.

Every first Monday of the month, at 7.30 p.m. sharp a gathering of authors and readers will inspire to unknown creativity.

ALFA is not a book club, where you have to read certain books in order to participate.

Here you listen to others reading, get food for thoughts and become inspired to read or write, paint or sing, simply be creative.

Next event:

When: 7.30 pm sharp, on monday,
7th of June 2010
Where: Convento de S. José, Lagoa

With: Lynne and Peter Booker
Peter Booker will be chairing the meeting and he will talk about the book,The Madness of Queen Maria: The R emarkable Life of Maria I of Portugal by Jeni- fer Roberts. Also appearing will be Paul Rees and Charles May, publishers of Algarves ́s e- newspaper,get real. Find out about the trials and tribulations of the media business. Lynne Booker will discuss her new cultural project with get real: writing about people who live in the Algarve, either full or part time and who contribute to enhancing the region´s cultural diversity.

Lynne would like attendees of the ALFA session to contribute their ideas.

'I think an "Algarve Living Legends" series could interest many readers and encourage people to come forward with suggestions. I would like something ´interactive´ and I think get real is upfront in promoting culture here in the Algarve. As you know I have always felt that the Ministry of Culture, the Câmaras and those promoting tourism should emphasise the multinational and multicultural nature of the Algarve. The amount of talent here is amazing yet many talented people are struggling.' Paul Rees


ALFA
Apartado 376
8504-913 Portimão
Portugal

www.alfacultura.com
mail: alfacult@gmail.com
Tel 00351 282 413 160
Mobile: 00351 917 602 607
lit.ALGARVE 16-19 September 2010 - the first international literature festival in the Algarve brings appr. 50 authors from 8 countries to the Algarve, who will appear in Albufeira, Armação de Pera, Lagoa, Portimão, Olhão, S. Bras de Alportel and Tavira.

5.5.10

May Raj Promotion

Complimentary Dessert when you next dine in the Raj Indian Restaurant.

Gulab jamun is a popular dessert in countries of the Indian Subcontinent such as India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. It is made of a dough consisting mainly of milk solids (often including double cream and flour) in a sugar syrup flavored with cardamom seeds and rosewater or saffron

Don't miss this opportunity to try Gulab jamun. Print our voucher and bring it with you. www.rajatgarbe.com/voucher.pdf
Book your table now tel:- 282 320260 This offer may not be used in conjunction with any other Raj Promotion

Raj at Garbe
Hotel Garbe,
Armação de Pêra,

Another perfect day




3.5.10

Contributed - VE DAY and VJ DAY - 65th ANNIVERSARY

This year, the Royal British Legion in the UK will be holding a series of events and services to commemorate the 65th Anniversary of VE and VJ Day.

On Wednesday the 19th May, as part of these celebrations the Royal British Legion in Portugal will hold a short service on the outside veranda at the Hotel Garbe commencing at 11.30am, followed by the RBL monthly lunch in the restaurant to which everyone is invited - please confirm your arrangements with the hotel reception.

Father Haynes, the RBL Algarve Chaplain, and Father Bob Bates will take this service and the Standard will be paraded. The service will last 20-30 minutes, and will remember not only how our Freedom was fought and won, but will also look forward to the hope of Peace in the lands where our troops are still fighting.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Royal British Legion
Algarve Branch

2.5.10

What's On in May

Weekly
Mondays - 9.30am - Pilates - Advance Class – Chelb Room
11.00am – Pilates – Beginners Class – Chelb Room
Wednesday Evenings - 6.00pm - Silver Jewellery - Reception Area
Thursday Evenings - 6.00pm - Pearl Jewellery - Reception Area
Fridays - 9.30am - Pilates - Advance Class – Chelb Room
11.00am – Pilates – Beginners Class – Chelb Room
Fridays – 2.00pm - Learn Bridge - Chelb Room
Fridays – 7.30pm - Bridge Millennium - Chelb Room
Saturdays – 1.45 pm - Bridge - Chelb Room
Sunday Evenings - 6.00pm - Silver Jewellery Exhibition - Reception Area
.
“Boa Vista” Bar
Happy Hour - 20% - Every Day from 6.00 to 9.00pm
Daily Entertainment – 9.00pm
Saturday,1st May - Sandra & Jorge – Música Ao Vivo
Monday, 3rd May - Nuno - Resident Organist
Tuesday, 4th May - Ilze - Singer
Wednesday, 5th May - João Caracol - Music for Dancing
Thursday 6th May - Nuno - Resident Organist
Friday, 7th May - Nuno - Resident Organist
Saturday, 8th May - Sandra & Jorge- Music for Dancing
Sunday, 9th May - Carlos Pontes – Música Ao Vivo
Monday, 10th May - Nuno - Resident Organist
Tuesday, 11th May - Arte Viva - Music for Dancing
Wednesday, 12th May - João Caracol - Music for Dancing
Thursday 13th May - Nuno - Resident Organist
Friday, 14th May - Xico - Guitar Player
Saturday, 15th May - Sandra & Jorge- Music for Dancing
Monday, 17th May - Nuno - Resident Organist
Tuesday, 18th May - Ilze - Singer
Wednesday, 19th May - João Caracol - Music for Dancing
Thursday 20th May - Nuno - Resident Organist
Friday 21st May - Nuno - Resident Organist
Saturday 22nd May - Sandra & Jorge- Music for Dancing
Sunday 23rd May - Carlos Pontes – Música Ao Vivo
Monday 24th May - Nuno - Resident Organist
Tuesday, 25th May - Arte Viva - Music for Dancing
Wednesday, 26th May - João Caracol - Music for Dancing
Thursday, 27th May - Nuno - Resident Organist
Friday, 28th May - Xico - Guitar Player
Saturday, 29th May - Sandra & Jorge – Música Ao Vivo
Monday, 31st May - Nuno - Resident Organist

The Facilities and Entertainment Featured May Change Without Notice

1.5.10

May Newsletter

Our latest newsletter is now available -

please click here