my friend and I decided a lastminute week's break away from the chilly UK weather ,got recommended Ocean Club by Thomas Cook. Yes it was quiet, but the town itself is very quaint, clean, lovely beach and some really good restaurants eg Forteleza opp the church. Ocean club was a bit of a let-down although I couldn't fault our very well kitted out apartment though was right at the back of the resort, but handy 2min to the restaurant. As other reviewers have said, the Millenium restaurant was serving mediocre school dinners. we were on half board.Bland overcooked/reheated food,no veg, rather like school dinners along with overpriced wine, in the background there were hectic harassed waiting staff even though the dining room wasn't particulary full. we did manage to escape & eat out & were treated to a great seafood dinner. would think about going again to Luz for R&R but not to Ocean Club.

We have just returned from a great 2 weeks at the Ocean Club, booked through Mark Warner. We were met at the airport by charming staff and the journey took an hour to transfer on a good road, our apartment, which was superb was very spacious. spotlessly clean and beautifully appointed by the 24hr reception and indoor pool.

The welcome meeting the following morning was informal and informative. They all seemed a nice bunch with a good team spirit.

We were very well placed. The whole place was very clean and the swimming pools, of which there were plenty, were very nice but being Portugal the water is freezing cold.

Our half board option was a waste of money as the food in the millenium resturant was awful to say the least, for the life of me I cannot understand why the chef could serve such poor food consistently, being in the mediterranean with plentiful fresh fish, veg & fruit you could easily have your 5 a day but not here, I think the chefs were trained at MacDonalds because no veg is served and anything else is such poor quality, frozen, tinned oh and always cold and this includes the breakfast, the poor resturant waiters have to take the flak from complaining clients daily -morning and evening, considering this is an activities based holiday you do need your food but it is awful and reading the reviews on here it has been for some time?

Eating out a couple of nights and lunchtime we never had a bad meal in the town and would strongly recomend 'JASMIM's cafe for cheap coffee, beer, soup and snacks through the day and for the internet.

We took the sailing lesson, did the walks with 'Bobby' and mountain biking with 'Yaz' enjoyed playing tennis and 'Dan' is great, the Mark Warner instructors were great and very helpful and friendly as were all the staff and in the bar say Hi to the beautiful 'Daisy'. The childcare seemed to be very good and best value for kids 6 to 16. The beach is fantastic, very clean with beautiful sand, whilst Luz has no real nightlife, it is perfect if you are looking for somewhere to wind down and just chill in beautiful surroundings.

Warning - Mark Warner clients and I include anyone going with Thomas Cook don't go to the Millenium restaurant in Prai De Lux for the food try to negotiate not half board!!

Just back from a 2 week break with a 20 month old and had a lovely holiday but to make this easy i will bullet point:

Accomodation: had to be moved from 3 storeys to ground floor as had a baby with pushchair and no lift (?) - both apartments were excellent , spacious , very clean and well furnished.
Resort: pretty, could get round it in a day, lovely beach, nice restaurants and cafes, couple of small "corner shops" and local shop Baptista which for the price is like shopping at Harrods- 5 euros for a smll jar of marmite!
Staff: excellent , resort manager was very agreeable, professional and accomodating, all childcare was excellent.
Mark Warner Ocean Village: set up on 3 sites, with accomodation doted around the resort , which i believe is privately rented from owners. far too difficult to get between sites , up and down cobblestone hills and alleys, to get from accomodation/breakfast/kids clubs/tennis/beach/dinner etc....
Food: wasted money booking half board when it is for 5 of your 7 nights stay, only 3 choices of a la carte per evening with no REAL choice ( pasta/risotto or battered calamari anyone?), kids food carbs and stodge- no fresh fruit in the whole 2 weeks, no non sugar cereals etc.. AND you have to walk between sites to get kids dining for 5.30 then you after 7pm...easier to eat in the village of Praia la Luz we found.
Overall feeling was a bit dissapointed , have used Mark Warner before but this did not feel right, too much hard work to fit into there resort timings, personally would go self catering next time..........

Booked and stayed with Mark Warner.

Staff really helpful and friendly.
Nice pools.
Relatively quiet as early season (despite the Maddy McCann papparazi !).
Childcare looked good.
Apartment was nicely appointed and well equipped.
And the weather was superb.

However,
TERRIBLE food at the Millenium restuarant. School dinners. If this is included in your price, budget to eat elsewhere.

Luz is a nice base.
Restauarant O'Antonio best in town.
Worth hiring a car and exploring the west coast of the island. Amoria and Oxediaxa beaches both fantastic.

Will def be back to Portugal, and maybe even with MW if we want the childcare, just be prepared to eat out or cook for yourself.