Olhos d'Agua or Alvor?

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For the summer? Does anyone have preferences? Looking at these two. If anyone can recommend a specific hotel, I'm happy to listen, have shortlisted all of them so far! (and also Playa Blanca in Lanzarote)

It will be a package, with Thomson, for dd and me. She is 14. Not bothered about evening entertainment etc, we are happy to pootle between pools, beach and a bit of souvenir shopping.

We went to Menorca in 2017, and whilst I loved it and would go back every year, dd wants to try somewhere new, and I think she may have found Menorca a bit boring.

Alvor has a massive fantastic beach lots of people on it but doesn’t feel crowded and the cave archways are fantastic. Lots of nice restaurants in terms of number, choice, variety. Place feels safe and fairly flat. But few shops other than sounvenier type ones.

Olhos has a nice beach less restaurant choice, bar choice and shops so may be too quiet? But you could go to Portomaio for shops or Albuferia new town or old town from there we didn’t like either too manic. Or you could visit a water park from either place.
Carvoeiro is very pretty and maybe worth a look. If you don’t mind hills. The town beach is fairly small but other beaches nearby and you can go on a Turk-tuck tour or boat trip.
Sorry that doesn’t really help. It depends how hectic or quiet you like things and what you like to do on holiday?

Thank you! That's all useful. It sounds like I would probably prefer Olhos and dd Alvor!
Is there a massive difference in the size of the two towns? I just feel I kind of have my heart set on Olhos, don't know why!

Thanks again.

Olhos felt much smaller and quieter than both Alvor and Carvoeiro. But we have enjoyed all the resorts. I preferred Carvoeiro but my DH preferred Alvor. The kids have liked them all remembering them by holiday friends. My DC who are slightly younger than your DD had a blast at them all. But a lot depends on them meeting friends their own age.
We stayed at the Falésia Mar which worked well fabulous breakfasts decent sized room and various low key, small scale, mixed age activities going on which our two joined in with at 12 and 13 but whether they would at 14 I don’t know. DD 12 met a few girls 11 and 12 but DS 13 was out on a limb as most of the boys last year seemed under 10 or 16/17. At Carvoeiro and Alvor we stayed in private let’s which are all be booked up now as we have checked.

Just popping back to say I booked Alvor in the end Thanks again for the info, can't wait already!

That’s great the beach is fabulous and lots of lovely restaurants ranging from traditional Portuguese, more modern Portuguese, pizza/italian, fish and a couple of nice ice cream-waffle shops at the end of an evening. I wish I could be more decisive with holidays this year.
Which hotel or apartments are you staying at?

Pestana Dom Joao. I literally did eeny meeny miney mo in the end as I shortlisted that and the South Beach one and while the SB had slightly more fantastic reviews I thought overall the other would be more "us"

Alvor by miles. We had some lovely holidays there when DC were younger. The most gorgeous beach, lovely harbour and quaint town with cobbled streets and lovely restaurants. We stayed in Dunas do Alvor apartments which are in a great location. I've seen the Dom Joao, it's high rise and a little on the outskirts but near the beach.
Olhos has a nice beach but little else.

Oh excellent, thank you. It did seem that Olhos was a bit too small. (I'd love it I expect but dd is 14 so does want a bit of fun)

Yes, there were 3 hotels that I shortlisted, one was a shuttle bus away from the beach, one was a "suite hotel" and though the reviews were fab, seemed a bit geared to older couples, and this one which was near the beach and not too far a trek from the town, so this one it is.

I'm already excited. I've been to Lisbon a million years ago, but only for a few days and these resorts get such lovely feedback.

I haven’t stayed here but the location on the Alvor beach is lovely.
It is about 3 years since we stayed in Alvor but their were some lovely restaurants and I really enjoyed walking along that lovely beach which never felt crowded.

We'll be on the beach in Alvor this summer. One of my favourite places in the world. Such a stunning beach.

Canico is our fave bar. www.canicorestaurante.com/en/canico-restaurant-bar/

Fab! Shall I hold my phone up showing the MN logo and we can nod James Bond stylee at each other?!!

I think a cocktail in Canico is in order 🥂🥂