We arrived at The Nautilus not really knowing what to expect of Portuguese holidays.
It seemed really quiet and peaceful, and we hoped this would last.
While we awaited keys we rested at the poolside bar and gasped for breath in the searing heat (much warmer than early morning Manchester Airport!), while the kids ogled lustfully at the clear pool!
The accomodation was clean and satisfactory-quite spacious! Kitchen was well equipped (apart from a pair of scissors) but the electric cooker a little slow.
The bathroom was fine, bath with overhead shower, a shower curtain (quite a novelty after the Greek Islands), a WC, bidet and large wash-basin.
The pool is treated every night from 9pm onwards, and is open until then.
There are supermarkets 5-10 minutes walk away. (Out of main entrance, turn left, walk to roundabout, turn right, at next crossroads turn left and past the "Topiaza" snack bar (and Pub) you will find Alisuper the "supermarcado"
A walk into town is about 20 minutes-about 25 to the marina. There's a shuttle bus available too, from reception almost every half hour.
for a family of four it is probably cheaper to get a taxi...we usually walked in and then taxid back-fro less than 5 Euros!
We visited Aqualand which is near "Albufeira" - their coach stops at the Nautilus daily there and back! Take your sunblock!!
The 4 of us did a "sunset cruise"a 2 hour boatride total cost with 2 adults and 2 kids was about 27 euros.
Don't miss the Roman Ruin near the Marina. I'm no history type but they amazed me and my 8 year old is still excited about having seen them. There are amazing examples of preserved mosaic floors and the varios parts of the villa are incredible! Entry there is cheap too-we paid 2 Euros-for all of us. They give you an English map and there are info boards all the way round. At the end a small museum with some of the artifacts and SKELETONS unearthed there!
Do NOT miss the marina and the shops and snack bars there...and gorgeous ice creams!
Back at the Nautilus more kids arrived over the 2 weeks we were there and days around the pool livened up. However, at night time the bar called last orders at about 11pm ish (serves food till 10pm) and by 1130pm all is peaceful and quiet!
Another thing about the bar: It serves the best Chicken Piri Piri in Vilamoura! And that's a fact!
Would I go back? Absolutely. I might pack a dishcloth this time and a pair of scissors but that's all.

As a family we had a wonderful time, it was relaxing, quant and the surroundings were beautiful
The apartments were clean and spacious and a great atmosphere.
I recommend all to these apartments

The nautilus was very accomodating, we are a family of 5, we took our 3 daughters and 1 extra my teenage daugters friend. we arrived 4th may 2003 all a little tired,but soon got into the holiday mood.we had a 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom apartment, which had ample space,after unpacking the 2 teenagers started complaining of a musty smell which i did notice but didn't mention anything it wasn't that bad,i'd unpacked everything by that time,they would't stop moaning, so called at reception,they explained that being closed over the winter season the air needs to circulate and will smell fresher in time,but the girls couldn't stand the smell,so we were given an option and offered a completely different room,they only had 2 1 bedroom aparments available, at first i wasn't sure of the 2 eldest being on there own plus i 'd have to repack and start again,it turned out fine and dandy,the 2 teenagers had a great to weeks and kept there apartment very clean and tidy,and the other 2 shared a bed settee that turned in two comfy single beds,we met some lovely families and a few times made use of the spacious private garden and had bar-b-ques,franando was very entertaining for the kids,he even organised a birthday cake for one of our girls,we hired a car which nautilus organised for us,the local supermarkets are just 10 mins walk,and the use of the beach bus was excellent!!. The marina had some good eating out rest for the kids even PIZZA HUT,and some nice rest for us grown ups, on the whole we will deffinatley return, i would give it 8 out 10 for a 3 star for the location and service.

We have had many family holidays at Nautilus and have all enjoyed every minute of them. It is such a friendly, safe enviornment and we were lucky enough to meet two great couples who we keep in touch with.