Excellent family resort

Rocha Brava is a fabulous resort that is very much geared up to families of all ages from babies to young adults so suited us as a family with a wide range of ages. We have never stayed at such a friendly resort. The accommodation can be a bit dated but nowhere is perfect. It is very livable and plenty of room in the apartments. We were on the ground floor which allowed our children to play in front while everyone else was chilling/getting ready to go somewhere. We were also near the reception area which was a bonus for us as we had no car. If you do not mind walking and looking for a holiday where you just want to chill and do not feel the need to go far or see the area you are in in more detail then you can get by without a car. It is about a 30 min walk to Carvoeiro and it is not expensive for a taxi, far less than the cost of car hire! A taxi to the resort was about €6-7 each way. The courtesy bus does run from the resort at 10am/2pm/5pm and 10 mins after on the return. It would be nice if it had later shuttles. We got a taxi on our first day to the Intermarche and stocked up on all the major items so we had to only rely on the resort shop for day to day break. In saying that the onsite supermarket was very good and stocks everything and the day we left there seemed to be a changeover of ownership and had started stocking a 'value'range. There is a local beach called Centianes Beach out the front gates down the left and it is just before the hill up. Other than that you can go down the road from reception and continue down here where you pass a Spar supermarket and restaurants and coffee shops, one being Tropical Helders which is very nice. When you get to the end of the road, straight in front of you to the left a bit is a set of stairs down which lead to the beach. Also on this beach is a lovely restaurant which fab views called O Stop. There are plenty of restaurants near the resort and there is no need to go to Carveiro, and there are plenty in Carveiro. There is limited shopping in Carveiro so it is not the place to go if you are looking to bring shopping home. There is no public transport either that can take you anywhere worth going. It is definitely a relaxing holiday resort with enough if you want a bit of entertainment. There is music on the beach every night where there is a lovely buzz and nice to stroll around.

The only gripe I would have about the holiday and Rocha Brava is the main pool. It was perfect, but very deep at 1m40 at the shallow end! There was a paddling pool too and a round pool that was ridiculously deep. We had a young child that was learning to swim and so did not want arm bands and did not want to paddle in the paddling pool but wanted to be in the big pool with us, but despite being a tall 6 year old, it was too deep at the shallowest end for him to stand in! None of the pools at the resort have a shallower pool. I think it would make huge sense if they make the round pool into a shallow enough pool to accommodate that age group and those just learning as it is not necessary to have such a deep pool. also this pool is right beside the paddling pool so you have to have eyes in the back of your head that the little ones don't go running off and into the deep round pool. Also there are lifeguards here but they are not there to save your life or your childrens. They are there to make sure no one jumps/dives over the railings which they do when he goes for a break and is damned dangerous, and he is there to take the towels off the beds of people who reserve beds without using them till midday! Which was very fair. There are plenty of beds here and there was no need for it and always beds coming available if they are taken when you arrive. You cannot rely on the lifeguard with the safety of your children and being such a deep pool this was a huge issue and it is the responsibility of the families for the safety of their own children. The playground was in an excellent position in the shade right beside the main pool so adults could swim and sunbathe seeing their children and the kids being in the shade having fun playing.

Rocha Brava also is mainly owned by private owners or quarter share owners and therefore as these apartments are not always being used the resort is not over busy and although full, never really 'full'. It does make this place special though as so many people come here year after year and so people know each other because of this. It is such a friendly welcoming place. We would definitely come back again with or without a car.