4 Star Algarve Holidays

M Winfield

This.is not a 4 star hotel. Its dated in areas but in terms of location its perfect. The hotel is great for those wanting to wander down to the Old Town and as a group of 16 Golfers it suited what we needed. Evening entertainment was aimed at Kids but we weren't looking for that. A 1 bedroom apartment gives you the extra.space.you need including a kitchen. Pool area is again dated but with the bar and ice cream counter, is more than.passable for those looking for a long weekend bolthole. Ignore the 1 star reviews, it's much better than that.

Andrea Jones

Looks nice from the outside but well dated inside. Rooms spacious but so out dated and in serious need of makeover beds very uncomfortable . Staff on reception not interested in helping you. Pool area was shocking. Diving board had the green covering peeling away. Same as the bridge to cross over. very weird high blue steps tiles missing in pool sand and other rubbish also in pool. Actual Pool bar in the pool closed but other bar was open. Poor service on all inclusive staff were like they didnt want to be their as it said you could have cocktails by Pool but they only served us once with them. Most of coverage at top of where u could sunbath was ripped or there was none at all. And what a rip off to have to pay for grey beds and umbrellas the only good thing was the gym. The restaurant food was terrible not worth an all inclusive price. Thank god for the onsite spar shop

amps187

Honest review here. Hotel is shockingly bad. The rooms look like they haven’t been decorated since the 50’s, the food looks like slop in the buffet area, my room was dirtier when the cleaner left, somehow nail clippings were all over my floor after she washed it (I never clipped my nails) If you like an early wake up call here is perfect for you, the cleaners will start a deep clean of an empty room at 6:45am……sounds like they’re dragging the furniture around the room for 2hrs. This happened 3 times, once above us and once on either side of us. The pool area has very little sunbeds for the size of the hotel. There is however ones you can rent. Only cash payments at the pool area (great way to dodge the tax man) who brings cash to a swimming pool..?? The rooms look nothing like the photos online so prepare yourself for disappointment. Self catering room, knobs missing from oven, numbers missing from hob, dishes from the 50’s, cutlery looks like it was used to dig a tunnel out of prison, blankets look like you took them with you from said prison. It’s not too late to book somewhere else and save yourself the agony of dealing with this mess of a hotel. One, maybe 2 star hotel at best. I’ve stayed in a 2 star hotel in Marrakesh that was better than here…..if you know Morocco, you know what I mean The A/C is probably the only good thing about this hotel, room is nice and cold

Caroline Kennedy

Just back from a week's holiday at this hotel and never again ( too much hassle to move hotels). Rooms weren't cleaned properly, hairs on bed sheets, stains on pillow cases and towels, toothpaste marks and hairs in sink, stains on mirrors and walls, sockets didn't look safe enough to use. Rooms are very outdated. Was going down stairs to complain and met a cleaner who said she would sort it. She kept blaming everything on the laundry and cleaned our mirrors and sinks with one of our hand towels!!! Staff at reception are like robots programmed to say " sorry and I'll report the issue" who they report to would love to know!!! Pool area is an accident waiting to happen. Cracked and broken tiles, ladder in pool extremely loose, carpet area for diving into pool loose and crumpled up so very easy to trip. You have to pay for grey loungers at pool ffs!!!! Like seriously!!! And the staff make sure you do pay!!!! Bought 2 bottles of water at pool.bar and went back up to get another drink and ice for the water and was refused the ice!!! I even offered the barman €2 for 1 ice cube and he still refused!!! Went to the robots at reception and said they would report my complaint and that I could get ice in main bar and take to pool. Went to main bar and was told I would have to pay €1.50 for a glass of ice!!!!!! This hotel has great potential but is lacking a bit of tlc. The staff seem very used to complaints and get paid so why should they care. When checking out the man at reception took.my key and walked back into the back office before i could even tell him what i thought of my experience in this so called 5 star hotel. Shame on love holidays for recommending this hotel and shame on the owner of this hotel. Does the owner or manager not read these reviews or care?

Sarah

I had seen the reviews online after booking and hoped they were wrong. This was one of the worst places I have ever stayed. I can deal with outdated rooms but on arrival we were greeted by a rude receptionist, on the way to our room which was on the same level of the reception, we were greeted by a huge cockroach outside the door. The rooms, though outdated, were dirty (holes in the curtains, stains on the beds, parts missing out of tiles) and smelt of curry for some reason which never left. I complained about the cockroach and reception sent the cleaner to spray our room. This made no difference as on day two we returned to our room to have an infestation of cockroaches in the bathroom and room and on further inspection of our room we found them in the makeup table drawer and the drawer in the beside locker beside my pillow. I complained and we received a new room which, though it had no cockroaches, it had ants and a toilet that barely flushed. We had many family members staying in the hotel and every room had similar problems. The pool wise fine to begin with until we came to the realisation that the hotel did not clean it once in the full week that we were there. There was dirty water around the pool that was never swept or cleaned. Eventually we noticed that certain parts of the pool smelt of sewage or else it was coming from the drains at the edge of the pool. On day one as we sat by the pool bar we witnessed an altercation where the staff were confronted for handing out fake bank notes. Overall the only good thing I can say about this hotel is that they let me change rooms. Other than that I would avoid this place like the plague. If I could give it 0 stars I would. It is very rare that I have an experience as bad as I did here.

Sophie Ray

Beautiful place! The staff were all so helpful and friendly. The stay was wonderful. The food was top notch, the entertainment was charming, and the entertainment team were all really lovely. My one struggle was the beds as they were a little hard for my personal liking, but that's my preference and they weren't awful. I definitely want to go back. The architecture in the hotel was impressive, and there's a shop inside the hotel for essentials which was super handy! I also have never seen a hotel pool as large as the one here. Absolutely incredible. If you're reading reviews wondering about going to this hotel, let me encourage you to book it, you won't regret it.

Vaughan Salisbury

Splendid place. Very helpful, friendly staff. A good selection of food in the snack bars and the restaurants. Very good pool area with plenty of sunbeds. A short walk into town and a complimentary bus to the beach. Plenty of shops in the town. We had a very pleasant stay there. The weather was warm and sunny. Be aware, though there is no kettle and the hotel do not provide irons. It was no problem , we just took our own.

TG

Such mixed reviews for this hotel. The rooms are very spacious but there's no actual storage space for a family (a couple of drawers and about 4 hangers). We were all inclusive however you have to pay for quite a bit. Pool towels are €20 holding deposit, there's a safe in the room but you have to pay to get the code (not sure cost on this) there is also no irons as you have to pay to get clothes ironed in the laundry which is €5 per item. We stayed for 10 nights and the beds weren't changed the whole time we were there. The cleaners didn't really clean the rooms at all. The food wasn't great, we ended up eating out a few nights and the restaurants in the area were amazing, highly recommend walking into Alvor for a meal if you can, it's about a 15 min walk from the hotel. They also had a free shuttle to the beach which was a nice touch! The pool area was great, loads of space and sunbeds meaning you never felt ontop of anyone else! Overall it was a nice stay, loved the area but not sure I would return to this hotel.

Branden Sanchez

Read this if you want the real Brit’s-eye view of staying here! 🇬🇧 The hotel looks lovely. The grounds are genuinely beautiful, even during shoulder season. Staff were friendly everywhere, from reception to the bar - always smiling, always helpful. The evening entertainment? Bit of a miss. Think more “holiday park karaoke” than “West End". And the food... brace yourself. We’d read the mixed reviews and thought, “How bad can it be?” Turns out - pretty bad. Basic things like pasta or chips weren’t reliable options. Snacks by the pool? Forget it! Toasties, chips, anything simple, just not happening. And this isn’t me being a fussy Brit abroad. I love local food, but the “local dishes” here were often soaked in fish oil or made mostly of bones. The restaurant setup was odd too. You’re assigned a table, but if you get up for dessert, you might return to find your tablecloth gone, or someone else in your seat. Why not just let people sit where they like? Now for the best part: step outside the hotel and head into Alvor. Complete game changer. There are some genuinely incredible restaurants within a 20-minute walk, top-tier food, great service, and proper value for money. Honestly, just eat out or cook in your room. The local supermarkets are brilliant for fresh produce (better than back home). Credit where it’s due though, the rooms were spotless. The cleaners deserve a medal. Always cheerful, always thorough. Big rooms too. The beds, though, were rock hard, two singles pretending to be a double. You can either sleep apart or cling on like a monkey at Lagos Zoo. Still, can’t fault the cleanliness. Biggest gripe was the hidden extras. “All inclusive” doesn’t mean much here... pizzas, branded ice creams, even a paddle racket all cost extra (€10–€20!). Most hotels would include that stuff or at least take a refundable deposit. Overall: Not a disaster, but not a delight either. The cleaners and room quality saved the day. Being able to cook for ourselves made it bearable, without that, this review would read very differently. Would I stay again? Maybe… if they sorted the food and stopped the penny-pinching. Until then, head into town, eat like royalty, and soak up the sunshine.

Kat Adams

Fantastic hotel! The all inclusive food is some of the best we've had, and always plenty of options for a fussy toddler too! There is entertainment throughout the day for adults, such as bingo or a quiz, and in the evening the kids had a great time with whatever was put on each night. The rooms were spot on. Only comment would be that there is an open gap in the dividing wall between the living room and bedroom, so as much as there is a wall there, sound and light does carry through to both rooms. This was a bit of an issue when trying to put out toddler down earlier than us at night. Apart from that, I cant fault it, and we have already booked to return next year.

Artem Gerbauz

Honestly, giving 5 stars only because a lot of people give this hotel 1 star rating, which this hotel doesn’t deserve in my opinion. The real rating would be 3.5-4 stars. The room we had was with jacuzzi and sea view and this is the biggest advantage of it, because a room itself is small, but no complaints here, because we did a research before booking it and we knew what we’re getting. Room had signs of wear and definitely needs renovation, but was clean and good smelling, so stuff doing their job well. However, couple times they didn’t clean terrace, I don’t know how often they should do this. Breakfast is fine, nothing special and similar every day, but pretty common for hotel breakfast. One interesting thing: there was honey in the comb, which is uncommon for me and nice, but that was for several days and disappeared to the end of our stay, so maybe it’s something seasonal. We booked a half board, so we had a dinner every day. It was fine, the main dish including meat, fish and sides was different every single day on our 6 nights stay, maybe if you stay longer it will repeat. All main dishes were good, salads were a bit strange to my taste and probably made with random leftovers (fresh however), which is good for me because they don’t waste food in this case. Downside is desert options - only one day there was baked apples with cinnamon for desert, all other days there were only plates with whipped cream or something like that, so we didn’t really like that. And another good thing: all drinks (both alcoholic and soft) were included in the dinner, so that’s definitely a plus. Staff is very polite and helpful, can’t complain here. They didn’t bother us at all, allowed us to keep our bags in the storage for several hours in the day of our departure etc. Overall, I think I would definitely return, but only to the room with jacuzzi again since this and location are the main reasons to stay in the hotel. Hopefully it will eventually get a good interior renovation, then it will be 5/5, but now only 3.5-4/5.

Roman Snizzy

From the moment I stepped into Hotel Sol, I felt like I was being welcomed into a home away from home—and that feeling was all thanks to Barbara, the most warm, genuine, and welcoming receptionist I’ve ever encountered. Barbara greeted me with a bright smile and an energy that instantly put me at ease. She went above and beyond to make sure my check-in was smooth and that I had everything I needed for a comfortable stay. Her attention to detail, friendly demeanor, and sincere care made a lasting impression. The hotel itself is charming, clean, and perfectly located, but it’s the people like Barbara who truly elevate the experience. She’s a gem and a shining example of what hospitality should feel like. Can’t wait to return! Roman

Irfan Dola

I came on holiday here for 4 days with my son and we thoroughly enjoyed our time. The rooms were a bit basic but the service was outstanding. Brilliant cleaners and really hard-working staff. The people at the reception were young, vibrant and very helpful. The facilities in this hotel were excellent, especially the sauna and the steam room. We also found the breakfast to be varied and the fresh orange juice to be superb when it was available. I would definitely consider rebooking this place in the future.

Pete Mueller

One very slow and long wait for the elevator. Rooms are wonderful...although...we got 2csingke beds instead of a queen/king!! Grrr!

Seghan MacDonald

This is not a four star hotel. Much closer to a two star hotel. Friendly staff but the hotel is aging and has not been updated. The whole building is musty, the hallway carpets need to be updated and the rooms are dark and dated. The bathroom was in terrible condition with an essentially unusable shower. When the shower head is turned on it sprays across the whole bathroom. The photos are misleading on Google and on other booking websites. Hoping some honest reviews will highlight the reality of the hotel conditions.

Rebecca Miller

Just got back from this beautiful hotel. We had an amazing week here. The room was very big, clean and had everything we needed. We loved having a washing machine we could freshen our clothes every day and gone home without piles of washing to do. The location is spot on, minutes away from the lively old town square. Or a walk back to the calm atmosphere of the hotel. The area in general I found was more for the younger generation for the clubs. Can’t fault the hotel or staff. Definitely worth the 5 star review

Anna Panetta

One of the worst hotels I’ve ever stayed in… honestly, it would be generous to call this a 2-star hotel. • Cleanliness is terrible. Dust everywhere, stains on the furniture, rust on the air conditioning (which didn’t even work), and the kitchen was never cleaned. • Beds are awful. The mattresses were completely sunken in and extremely uncomfortable. The “third bed” in our 3-person room literally felt like a board with springs, we all left with back pain. • Bugs & hygiene. There were ants all over the apartment. Staff sprayed something once but then ignored the issue. • Unhelpful service. We had to call multiple times just to get extra sheets, and overall the staff was not proactive. • False advertising. The so-called “spa” is just a humid indoor pool , nothing relaxing about it. All the photos are overly edited, the rooms look NOTHING like the photos. • Overall neglected. The place feels old, dirty, and poorly maintained, with zero attention to guest comfort. I don’t understand how this hotel still has good ratings, it’s completely misleading. Save your money and avoid this place.

Natalie Rowan

Hotel is really lovely. Apartment was spotless and had all things in you needed. Comfy beds, good shower. Hotel restaurant wasn’t great. We went one night and the food wasn’t that nice and pricey enough. The pool cafe on the other hand was lovely. Tasty food. All staff were friendly. Pool was spotless and there was a race for sunbeds each morning. Pool lacked any music or entertainment for the kids. I know there was no kids club. But there was no activities going on. Would suit a couple perfectly, but kids might want a bit more going on.

Z. K.

Spent 6 nights in that beautiful hotel. The room was very clean and fully equipped. The food was also delicious and diverse. The staff is really nice and helpful. Than you very much for all the kindness! I highly recommend this place!

Orsolya Imrei

We had a very joyfull and relaxing 6 days in the hotel - thanks for the fantastic staff and the quality evening events at the dinners. We were treated very welcoming by all of the hotel crew members. The apartment of us was huge, clean and with great view. Also had great experience at the hotel’s spa, I do recommend to have a massage by Rachel.

Leila

We chose Aqua Pedra dos Bicos as the hotel for our wedding guests, and it turned out to be absolutely perfect. From start to finish, the staff went above and beyond to make our stay, and our wedding weekend, so special. We hosted our welcome event on the rooftop, and it was phenomenal. The setup, the views, and the overall atmosphere were incredible. The bar staff were so kind and accommodating, they even stayed open late for our group (we eventually had to tell them to close so everyone could get some sleep before the big day!). A huge thank you to Liliana and the guest services team for the thoughtful touches in each room. Our guests arrived to beautifully prepared Portuguese sweets and handwritten notes in each guest room, which made such a lovely first impression! Carlos was also wonderful, helping us coordinate reservations and making sure everything ran smoothly. And though I can’t remember his name, another young gentleman at the front desk was so friendly and helpful throughout our stay. Aside from one slightly grumpy encounter at the front desk, every single staff member we met was warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind. Our guests loved the pool area and had a fantastic time relaxing there between events. Thank you again to everyone at Aqua Pedra dos Bicos for helping make our wedding weekend unforgettable!

Wadym R.

We stayed for 8 nights. A wonderful hotel, possibly the best we have ever stayed in. A large cozy room with a amazing view. Impeccable cleanliness throughout all areas. Excellent, friendly staff, like old friends. The best part is the food; I have never seen breakfast and dinner prepared so deliciously and beautifully anywhere else. The morning Prosecco is an extra bonus. I was also very pleased with the little touch of always having cold water with mint and citrus in the lobby. We will definitely return without any doubts.

S K

My husband and I have high standards & this hotel was simply perfect with a boutique vibe and an amazing location! The front desk was polite and very helpful. The property & pool(brisk) area were extremely clean and well maintained. The room and king size bed were large, comfortable and well laid out. The breakfast buffet offered lots of options and was very clean. We were lucky to always get a free parking spot out front and it was a short but steep walk to the beach. We would definitely recommend this adults only hotel and would come back.

Grace Malone

Good location with decent restaurants and bars around the corner and the strip is easily walkable. There is a direct train that runs to the Old Town with the nearest stop just over a 10 minute walk away, otherwise you could get a bolt/ uber for €3-€6. Hotel itself was clean and quiet, ideal for couples. Beds were large and comfortable in modern rooms. Breakfast buffet was varied and food was good quality. Would recommend a visit to the rooftop bar in the evenings for some stunning views.

Stephanie Price

Really nice hotel. Comfortable beds and super friendly staff. I thought the breakfast was only ok and we didn't enjoy the cocktails. The hotel can be noisy and the walls are very thin. Everything else was superb including the location. The staff were fantastic.

Zoe Britton

My husband and I stayed 7 nights bed and breakfast. Loved the hotel perfect location with stunning beach views. Housekeeping always friendly helpful always done a great job Housekeeping most definitely 5* aswell Would definitely stay here again without the breakfast

Angie Grice

On arrival found our balcony looked onto what can only be described as a war zone , smashed building covered in graffiti wild cats and a dump site , the tiny balcony was bad enough without this view asked to move and was told 650 euro !! Then the aircon unit that has a re used Tupperware box that guests need to empty twice a day or it floods ! The staff were rude eye rolling , saying no better a question was asked ! The pool well it’s not a pool it is a plunge paddling pool with 8 sunbeds for the whole of the hotel to use all in the shade and taken by 8am every day ! So we didn’t use the balcony / pool or concierge service as all very poor ! This hotel is a 3 star been generous please do not waste thousands like we did ! The location is close to town but you need to walk up very steep cobbled streets to get back and there is no other option than to use the beach as the pool is a no go ! 20 euro a day for sunbeds at the beach when we paid for a 4 star adults only hotel very disappointed !!

frankie rodda

Very quiet hotel in a quiet location. Far enough from old town strip you can’t hear it but close enough to walk. View straight onto the beach, very short walk and your on the beach. Very polite welcoming staff. Would definitely recommend

Ena Wang

The Rocamar is in a phenomenal location. We were a short walk away from many sights as well as the beach! The rooms were clean and the beds were comfortable (do wish they had true doubles as opposed to singles), but the bathrooms were a little small. Our toilet was in an awkward position next to the sink which would have been difficult to use if you are not a straight sized individual. Otherwise, we had a lovely 4 night stay!

Stephen Jones

This hotel was in the best possible location great view over the beach... Staff were friendly. Hotel was kept very clean however 2 big things put us off. On arrival we had to leave a 200 euro deposit which we were not informed of until our arrival. Secondly we paid in advance for a breakfast each morning and it seems the only way this hotel can be booked is to take it with breakfast included. Unfortunately the only bad meal we had on our weeks stay was this breakfast. The bacon looked strange and was greasy the saugages were dry and a weird texture the fried eggs were swimming in oil, over cooked and like rubber. The ingredients in the continental selection were low quality. Very disappointing if this holiday can be booked without the breakfast it would make a better holiday....... Breakfast cost is advertised 18.99 a person but we couldn't eat it and ate out at other places, losing out as we paid for breakfast here in advance

Stephen O'Connell

This resort is in a beautiful setting... well located close to the beach, with well maintained grounds. The staff here were all very helpful. The couple of issues we had were easily resolved. (Hi Osvaldo!) Rooms here are clean and spacious, but lacking a kettle to make tea. The bottles of water in the room were not replaced when the room was cleaned either. The food choices were very good, with a varied menu and choice of restaurants on site. Dinner time could be a bit chaotic with the queues... or some people not queuing, as the case may be! The food was of a good standard though. The entertainment was top notch too... very lively! Overall, this is an excellent place to stay for people who want something different from a bog-standard hotel.

Mark Woolven

We have been to this place for the last two years, it is a fantastic place to be. Great people work there and nothing is too much trouble. The staff really looked after us, as it was our anniversary when we visited this year. Thank you so much. The swimming pools are amazing and are so clean. The staff that do things with the kids are second to none. Let’s talk about the food we found this to be so good and always fresh. You are a short walk from the beach, which is amazing by the way. If you are thinking about going to this Resort don’t hesitate book it and you will not regret it.

David Hugh Morris

Ver clean, spacious, great staff, food is good fish, chicken, pork and lamb dishes, plenty of salads and pasters, fruit, cake and desert, lots of activities and entertainment. Rooms are extremely comfortable and quiet at night as they are in their own blocks. Low lit lantern paths with gardens good signage leading you back to your room should you not wish to walk there are golf buggies to assist you run by the hotel. Hotel has buses for only 2 euros return to Alberfeuira and Vilamoura on alternate days. Picking you up and dropping you at the same locations save you any stress. A beautiful hotel highly recommend 🤩♥️

Daria Korzhenko

There are management issues. First of all, it took housekeeping 2 days to unfold the couch as was asked. Secondly, there is an issue with cleaning rooms, I was asking all evening, 3 visits to the reception, asking, checking, double checking to find it uncleaned…. The coffee in the vending machines is a separate issue, it is totally undrinkable. The food is tolerable, sometimes tasty. The sunset bar has a funky smell inside, no it stinks. I have to go there just because it is an only place to get espresso. Other than that try to avoid it at all times due to the smell. However, the nature is great, the views are fantastic, the sea is beautiful, the atmosphere is joyful and great.

Julia Lomakina

Not a 4 star hotel. Food below average (the only highlight is the Grill restaurant and only when they do grilled fish). Rooms very basic and you have to pay a deposit for a kettle and beach towels. The grounds of the hotel are really nice with lots of greenery, playground for kids, pools etc., that’s what mislead us to book it. Service was 50/50 some staff are nice and friendly, some couldn’t be bothered. Wouldn’t stay here again.

Brian Purdie

We booked a one bedroom apartment and were delighted with the location, it has a well equipped kitchen, large lounge/dining area, two balconies plus ample parking. We were about one minutes walk from the nearest pool which had a snack bar staffed by a lovely woman who helped me with my Portuguese pronunciation. There were ample loungers by the pool and immaculately clean toilets.

Millie Rebbeck

I have never had a bad experience and I’ve come here easily over 30 times- since being a baby up until now, the staff are always lovely, yes there may be some bugs or wildlife, but with this location it is such a small price to pay, when you’re surrounded by greenery. I am in love with this place and always will be, never ever a wasted trip! Come to Balaia and don’t expect a 5 star experience, and you will never be disappointed- I do miss the original restaurant but the bistro is a good replacement- I love you Balaia Golf Village!

Rui Miguel Rodrigues

This property should not be advertised as a 4 star establishment, I’d say 3 star is more accurate. The apartments are well-equipped with essential amenities including a washing machine. However, cleanliness is a significant concern and the property is infested with ants and cockroaches (some very large ones). Stay at your own risk.

jima roddrigo

We were happy with the apartment we got. It’s 608. Well maintained two bedrooms,two bathrooms living room with open kitchen and balcony. Apartment was clean. It’s a bit far from hotel reception. Only the problem was unfriendly women at the reception. On our arrival day we went to drop our luggage before checking time and the gentleman who was at the reception was very friendly and polite. Other times when we were there to collect the key and check out, women at the reception were not friendly.

Clara M

Stayed here for a week with my extended family. Loved the villas, very clean and everything provided. Even the TV had RTE and the shop had Barry’s teabags. Gas, definitely an Irish influence going on. The pools, just so nice, loads of loungers and very clean. We went half board so breakfast and dinners but 1/2 of the staff in the restaurant were just absolutely awful to us. I don’t know what was going on but breakfast was fine as long as we avoided them. Then dinner would take 3 hours. We are nice people, no demands, just wanted courses without an hour in between. And the horrible attitude, always commenting that we were ‘inclusive’. So would come back I guess, kids loved the villas and the pools.

april fletcher

I recently stayed at this MGM Hotel in Albufeira, Portugal, and unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. From the moment we arrived, the staff were incredibly rude and unwelcoming. Not once did they attempt a polite conversation—instead, we were met with death stares any time we asked a question from the moment we arrived. At one point on the day we had arrived, we simply asked where the all inclusive bar was, and the staff member shrugged and said, “I don’t know”… despite clearly working there. The attitude throughout our stay was unhelpful and dismissive. The food provided under the “all-inclusive” deal was another huge letdown. Everything we were served was stone cold—not once did we receive a hot meal, which made the dining experience very unpleasant. To make matters worse, we were told we needed to sign a document stating a €100 refundable deposit per apartment. But then we were suddenly told we had to pay €100 per person, which wasn’t explained in the paperwork. After asking around, we discovered other guests wasn’t asked for this—so it felt like we were being unfairly targeted. All in all, this hotel completely failed to meet basic standards of hospitality, communication, and transparency. I would strongly advise choosing a different place to stay in Albufeira.

Susie

Stayed here for my first visit to Portugal and the service was 10/10! Receptionist rob, Jean and Carla were extremely helpful, friendly and accommodating! I needed help with surprise birthday arrangements and they were more than accommodating! The food options are immaculate but if you want to eat from the speciality restaurants try and reserve it on the first day because they’re booked weeks ahead and we didn’t get to try one. The rooms are slightly older than pictured but overall a very great experience and I’ll recommend 10/10

Rachael Walsh

Emailed about a lost item numerous times and never received any information or contact from the hotel. Very disappointed with the systems in place to get in contact directly with the hotel. The all-inclusive was below average with the buffet being just satisfactory and the additional restaurants being sup-par as the portion were quite small and was limited drinks and menu. Wouldnt go to this hotel again. The reception staff were lovely but the staff in the restaurants seemed quite unhappy and pushed for personal reviews via QR code even after below average service. The room was neat and clean but the bathroom and shower was outdated and partially stained from age. The location of the hotel was ok (10 min walk from strip) but would definetly recommend going closer to old town in going to stay in albuferia. Both old town and new strip are party oriented and i wouldnt recommend it for a family holiday.

Inês Machado

I’ve been staying here with my family for over 20 years and couldn’t recommend it more. 5-10 mins away from the beach, close to many lovely & affordable cafés & bars and Oura Street. Lovely staff as well

paul griffiths

A nice hotel. Nice rooms but need updating. Food served in the next MGM hotel. But a good choice of food. Pool bar. Nice pool. About 10min in taxi to the town and old town. It costs €6 each way.

Roshini Schroeder Ma Nithyananda Sevika

Great location with 4 pools and villas with well stocked kitchens. The restaurants on site are a great plus although I wish there were vegan options. Casa Azul was a great restaurant for an evening where no one would deliver and the pizza was great. Would definitely stay again with our larger family.

Paul Stafford

Been going here for years and never had a bad holiday, best of all worlds. Not far from the old town but far enough away for peace and quiet at night. Great pools and restaurants on site

Shane Bowen

We had a very enjoyable stay at Clube Albufeira. The apartment was a very decent size for 5 people. 2 bedrooms and a sofa bed all made for us when we arrived. One of the bedrooms had an en suite which meant we all did not have to share one bathroom. Lots of choice at the resort between pools, restaurants and activities (mini golf, football field etc.) There is a mini market on site that does fresh bread every morning which was lovely. We did our own breakfast in the apartment as it’s very easy to cook for yourself. A bit outside Old Town but taxi only cost €5. We really enjoyed the restaurant Casa Azul on site. Food was delicious, service was great. Pablo (head manager) was so accommodating. He managed to squeeze us in the first night we arrived even though we did not have a booking and it was very busy. We went another 2 nights during our stay as it was so good. Overall, I know this place gets some negative reviews, but we found to have a very enjoyable and pleasant time.

Lucca Banchiago

Decent place to stay in items of location. Good rooms however the check in check out times are absurd. Arrived after a long flight around 12 noon only to be told can’t check in for another 5 hours at 5pm. Very disappointing. And the checkout is at 10am which seems way too early.

heather baker

We stayed here from August 15th for 10 nights. On arrival, we were told we could use the pools until check-in, which was a nice touch. Unfortunately, when we finally checked in, the apartment was nothing like what we expected. It was dirty and unhygienic — food residue and mold in the fridge, stains on the walls, and generally grimy. The wardrobes were covered in thick dust and clearly hadn’t been wiped down in a very long time. The beds were extremely uncomfortable, and instead of a proper double bed, there were two completely separate single beds. The air conditioning barely worked. Housekeeping did come in, but never did a proper clean. The biggest disappointment was the attitude of the staff at reception and in the restaurants. They were dismissive and unhelpful, often telling us to wait days for the manager to resolve things. At one point, we were told the manager wasn’t available until Monday, only to find out later she had been on site all along. Restaurant service was also very slow (40 minutes for two toasties on the first day), and the staff were rude on several occasions. That said, when we finally met with the manager, she was absolutely amazing. She listened to our concerns, apologized sincerely, and upgraded us to a much nicer apartment for the last four nights of our stay, with complimentary breakfast included. The new apartment was beautiful and showed what the standard should be. We still had to spend six nights in a dirty, uncomfortable apartment, which really put a damper on our holiday, but we are grateful to the manager for going out of her way to try and make things right. A few notes for others: • The complex is very large — if your apartment isn’t poolside, expect a fair bit of walking. We knew this beforehand, but some might find it inconvenient. • The pools and grounds are nice, but the overall service and upkeep in the apartments can be very hit-and-miss. In summary, this was a disappointing stay overall, saved only by the professionalism and kindness of the manager in the final days.

Jessica Molefe

The staff were shockingly rude and completely unhelpful from the start. Despite our booking being fully paid for, they refused to allow my friends—who arrived before me—access to the property, even though I had informed them in advance. Instead, they demanded my friend pay the full amount again on her own card, claiming they would “refund mine later.” This is utterly unacceptable and borders on unethical. No assistance was offered with our luggage, even though our house was the furthest on the property. The staff simply did not care. To make matters worse, we were robbed during our stay—something that apparently happens often, as we later learned we were not the only house affected. When we called reception for help, their only response was, “Call the police.” No staff member came to the house, no apology was offered, and there was zero concern for our safety or experience as guests. Also their is an ant infestation that they really need to do something about. My bed on the first night was full of ants and of course when i called the front desk they did nothing. Luckily i found some bug spray. This was, without exaggeration, the worst service I have ever encountered. If you value your safety, your money, or basic respect as a paying guest, I strongly recommend you avoid this place.

Diane Roberts

We stayed in a one bedroom apartment, had a wonderful time. Apartment had everything we needed. We caught the free shuttle bus to the town daily. Staff lovely. Really enjoyed our stay

David TA

Great beautiful villa to stay in. We stayed in the apartments and it was fully equipped with everything you need, ample space for more than two people really. Room service/cleaning was great. The only recommendation I'd give is perhaps offering more ways to access other parts of town through renting a cab service or scooter/bike for customers. Overall location is not too far from shops etc but you definitely need a car, cab or scooter to get around.

Lilian D

From outside it looks stunning!!! However, we had a late check in and when received the room it had a leak in the ceiling. Not too visibile in the picture but it was dripping from 3 points. We came back to complain next day morning... the receptionist said there was nothing she could do about it. The apartment is old, many insects with noise AC and super cold. Smell like dump and walls full of damage. Not impressed. The are is lovely and the town is beautiful... many nice restaurants...

Carrie Crosbie

We stayed here in a standard apartment in February and family we travelled with stayed in a villa. I feel the apartments and villas currently offer different experiences and the apartments need a refresh to have the same standard. Pros: Remote if you want peace and quiet and don't mind being a drive away from any 'touristy' places. 40 mins drive from faro. Very clean standards in the accommodation and surrounding resort. The staff were all nice, friendly and helpful as much as they could. Spacious apartments and villas for large familys. The villa has more modern furnishings comfy beds, towels provided for the pool and internet TV. Easy to to check in and out and daily cleaning and linen changes. I had a really tasty octopus salad in the restaurant all food was well made and enjoyed. We only ate there once however would recommend. Cons: The apartments are dated and in need of refurb, ok for 2 nights but not a full week if you want to relax. Loose floor tiles, old solid beds, lumpy pillows, I was on pain killers all week for a bad neck and hips, adding blankets didn't help. It would have been better if the bed options provided a double and not twins, it doesn't make for relaxing holiday with a partner with a metal frame in the middle of the bed. The sofa/fouton had no cushions so uncomfortable to sit on. The kitchen while well equipped but old, only one plug for 4 devices made making breakfast laborious while the villa had adaptors provided so all items could be used. Washing machines are very rusted and don't really wash clothes well. The TV never worked while we were there I was advised they knew of an issue with TV reception however was not rectified, I would suggest changing all TVs to internet fed as there were not really any English speaking channels. When there's not much to do around or entertainment TV would have been nice to have in the evening. There was no soundproofing so every sound can be heard in the apartments! Furniture needs felt pads putting on the bottom, being woken by people at 1am moving furniture is frustrating. All pools would be used more if they were heated they were ice cold so we didn't swim. Only the kids braved it. We do have to say again thank you to the reception team who assisted our family member who needed urgent medical treatment they were quick to action and help us! My advice would be to stay in a Villa if you want a relaxing holiday and only use the apartments for short visits.

Cătălin Crăciunescu

The hotel itself is not so good looking but it is very clean and the staff are very nice and provide you anything you need. The rooms are also spacious but the pillows are quite hard. The location is perfect as it is very close to most of the famous beaches and the marina, it is also near to the old town.

Amelia Geogy

The rooms were very spacious and had everything we needed! location was very convenient, ubers cost around 3-6€ to get wherever we wanted too. Cleaners were very thorough and the staff were friendly and helpful. Lovely pool but there were a few renting charges (pool towels, swim caps) so make sure to bring cash😊 Overall very pleasant stay and would come again. Thank you!

anthony Beach

Rooms very clean bit dated but plenty of space, staff at hotel great, inbetween the old town and new town (approx 10 minute walk each way) albufeira terrace round the corner with food terrace top floor and supermarket, indoor pool also which is lovely with jacuzzi, only downside is no music round the pool so quiet! would stay here again though!

Sam's Reviews

Wouldn't say it was a 4* hotel but nice enough for a few days break. The rooms are a decent size. Large pool area with many sun loungers which was great. You get sun on the pool all day so that super ideal for tanning. This place tends to attract large groups and families. We paid for breakfast which was ok but not amazing especially if you go down towards it finishing at 10am which is fairly early for us when we'd been out the nights before. We used the downstairs Spa showers after we checked out as our flight was later on but it was SO hot down there, the indoor pool looked decent especially if it were to ever rain (swimming cap required) It's walking distance to the old town. Many cafes/places to eat nearby eg. McDonald's and KFC. A 5 min walk to a big supermarket which is very ideal. Ps. be wary of the dodge jumpy lift! & bring a sun lounger towel as you have to pay for one.

Cathal Crowley

Nice hotel, pool area and bar are great. Rooms are very big, clean and well kitted out but a little dated. It's about 15 mins walk to old town.

Lynne Lawson

We as a family of 4 have just returned from this lovely hotel apartments are so spacious. The staff are so welcoming and friendly reception staff couldn’t do enough for us especially the 2 ladies sorry I didn’t get there names. I personally didn’t try the breakfast my husband and sons did and they all said it was very nice and well worth the money. He said the breakfast staff were very good aswell. Good location not too far from the strip short walking distance plenty of public transport services the tourist train is brilliant. We tried the hotel bar one night very reasonable compared to other bars in the are we all had cocktails. The only very slight complaint was the pool it was very cold but I suppose you get that everywhere you go on holiday. Overall a wonderful holiday spent in Albufeira

Riley Conway

Room is Great, Balcony View is amazing and the Service is top notch. Cleaner came in our room every day to Clean which was amazing but The Key to get in the room wouldn't work sometimes but overall the Best Hotel to stay At if you're on Holiday. I definitely recommend this Hotel.

Darren Hilley

Had a lovely family holiday here. On arrival we were greerted by the friendly receptionist Ricardo (be sure to roll that R lol) and directed to our room. The room was a spacious one bedroom apartment with good air con. The bedroom beds are comfy but the sofa type beds are quite stiff to lay on. The kitchenette is practical for cooking snacks with 2 ring hob, microwave, toaster,sink,kettle and well stocked with utensil and crockery. The hotel and rooms as pointed out by others are dated but very cleaned and well tended to buy room service. The location is very close to new town and a 5 euro or so taxi ride to old town . There is a zero tolerance approach to any unruly behaviour from groups or loud music, they reserve the right to charge a 300 euro deposit but never ask it from family's or couples it seems to be in place for any potential issues from younger holiday makers. Pool area is clean and well maintained, no lifeguard or entertainment and floaties are allowed so not ideal for toddlers. Snack bar is friendly and does well for exactly that a snack but cocktails are fairly basic. One issue for me would be that the Aircon compressor is in the balcony and radiats a lot of heat so make sure it's turned off before sitting out. I'd be very happy to stay here again and really enjoyed myself as did the family and we never felt on top of eachother. Thanks to the staff for an enjoyable stay!

Helen Willis

Would highly recommend Tropical Sol, spotless and everything you need in your room, living room and bedroom very spacious. Pool kept very clean, staff very helpful and the cafe on site has a great range at good prices.

Lorraine Reilly

Great apartments, very clean and spacious. The staff are fantastic and couldn’t be more helpful. It is situated really close to everything, I would highly recommend

Edel Byrne

El Mexicano – Muthu Praia da Oura We had such a great experience at El Mexicano in Muthu Praia da Oura. From the moment we sat down, the atmosphere felt warm and vibrant – colourful décor, lively music, and a relaxed holiday vibe. The food was absolutely delicious. We started with nachos served with fresh guacamole and salsa , simple but full of flavour. The tacos were a highlight: soft tortillas generously filled with chicken and pork al pastor, topped with fresh vegetables and a drizzle of sauce that made every bite burst with flavour. Portions were generous and beautifully presented. The drinks were also refreshing and paired perfectly with the meal. What really made the evening special was the charming staff. Everyone was friendly and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed and adding to the cheerful atmosphere. Our server, Tidjane whose name was written on the little review card we received, really stood out with his welcoming smile and excellent service , a lovely personal touch. Overall, this was a fantastic dining experience. Great food, vibrant setting, and service that makes you feel genuinely cared for. If you’re staying in Praia da Oura, I’d highly recommend stopping by El Mexicano – you won’t be disappointed! 🌮🍹🇲🇽

Ash Mottram

I had issues regarding my booking before I arrived which I won't go into however I can tell you about my experience whilst staying here. Positives Staff were superb, extremely friendly and helpful, even had a kind gentleman show me to the room when I couldn't find it. Location is fantastic, right next to the beach with great views. Very lively vibe more suited to younger adults due to it's proxy to the new town strip. Great choice of restaurants and bars and had all local shops and coffee shops a short walk away. The gardens were beautiful to relax in, especially when lit up at night time, well looked after to provide a nice chilled vibe. Negatives. I implore this hotel to review it's cancellation policy. For non refundable bookings, it is wrong to charge people the full price of the room to cancel their booking. Even if you don't show up, they will charge you the full amount to cancel, on top of the price it cost you to book the room. This results in situations where the hotel will take twice the amount for a room booking that they can sell to someone else. To me this seems exploitative, I felt forced to attend this hotel to avoid these additional charges that effected my overall feeling of the hotel chain. Just something to bare in mind for people booking here.

Ramaine “A Di Manijah” Morrison

Was one of the best experience in my life. I booked this hotel for my wife’s birthday and it was more than I could have bargained for. She even got a complimentary bottle of wine and a note on her birthday. The entire complex was clean and relaxing. Very good experience!

Louis

The rooms are tidy, as is the whole site. It’s a real tricky grand operation which is done to success. The location is good and has easy access to the beach. It is a proper metropolis, like a cruise ship but a hotel which wasn’t really my vibe. We walked for 1 hour and the whole coast is essentially a tourist prison owned by MGM (the hotel). Alright for short term, not sure I could bear more than 4 days It’s a clever concept, an all inclusive package with restaurant options. They ultimately serve very similar food as found in the clockwork buffets, but it meant we don’t go into ‘Henry VIII mode’ and eat as if we are preparing for hibernation. Certainly made the evenings better; good structure and more reasonable portions. The chicken one is the best with great views. The drinks were awful and by far the biggest letdown. The beer was seriously bad. Cocktails were sickly and undrinkable, just came from a draft machine and pumped full of syrup and very weak. The spirits were all ‘house made’ and had an air of petrol about them. You pay extra for the alcoholic package and most of us just ended up not drinking at all rather than put ourselfs through that. We went mad on the diet cokes though(which were nice and crispy). Ahhh I almost forgot! ONE beach towel is €12. This is a rental cost and you do not get this back. €5 rental cost so a €17 fee for one towel. Robbery of the century. Overall a very average resort for what it is. It has plenty of positives and negatives. Best to choose a spot on what you value more. Bear in mind pretty much the entire area is owed by MGM (this hotel chain) so these points made here will affect all sites.

Loretta Kelly

This hotel is fantastic central to all the attractions. The food in Jacs restaurant was fabulous great variety everytime we visited. The pool areas are very good clean and tidy. The staff put on aqua aerobics every day but the pool very very cold so not many takers .

Shans DSTG

The cleaners stole my brand new earring. The manager of the hotel is the worst, was not helpful at all. Rude to her staff. She didn’t deserve staff like that. The man that checked me in was amazing and the woman who worked in the evening with braid amazing too. I had to call the police because the manager is trying to make it out I am lying and her cleaners wouldn’t do that. She has no respect to her staff. All the other staff was nice. I travelled alone and I was not drunk on any day. I travelled between 9th-13th I was staying until 15th but didn’t want to expend I was scared. The key card is cheap and broke in my door but the gentleman was amazing and helped me thank you

Chloe Pirie

This review is from August 2025. My 2 friends and I booked this hotel for a girls holiday. The location to the new town strip was a 5 minute walk and was very good, and a 4 euro uber to the old town was also brilliant. However the hotel, as we checked in we found the receptionist rather rude and just seemed as if she didn’t want to be there, as you usually would when checking into hotels you do ask a couple questions our questions asked was answered by one word answers or a grunt. We then found out we had to pay one hundred euros pp for a deposit. We arrived at the hotel around 11am-12pm and had to wait until 4pm to check into our rooms, we were allowed to keep our bags in a room until then which was fine. Every day cleaners would come into our rooms and clean the room, fresh bedding and towels, which we were throughly impressed by and was probably the best part about the hotel. The room itself was fine we had a double bed and a pull out sofa which done us fine, our balcony was spacious and the bathroom was good (however the shower wasn’t very powerful and tended to flood the bathroom). Our balcony looked out onto the other hotel which was nice at night time as it got quite lively. The security man was nice for the first few nights. On our first night he made sure to tell us to be careful of the new town strip and to stay together which we thought was very nice. Until we received a “noise complaint”, security banged on our door at 5am making more noise than anyone in the room (there was 7 people in the room) and telling us we were making too much noise however we were sitting in our room talking to one another with both doors shut over. We were given one chance at our £300 deposit, so i’d reccommend if staying here for a party holiday be very aware that the hotel security doesn’t take the piss. The pool area was good, however the bar was basic food and over priced drinks, for what you pay for you’d be better walking down the new town strip to a bar where you’d get better food and drinks for half the price. Over all, i wouldn’t reccommend for a family holiday just be aware alot of groups for party holidays stay here and if your looking for somewhere quiet this probably isn’t the place for you as the music is loud at night and majority get back from the strip around 3-6ish am. For a party holiday id defo reccomend but just be wary of security and the “noise” you make.

lara Stein

Everything is very very old, low quality, low maintenance. The building is next to a busy road and the windows are not sound proof so you hear chaos all night and all day. Ambulances and police cars non-stop. A lot of partying at late hours in the evening in the hotel rooms. The gym was super outdated and all the equipment very old and broken. The pool was nice, smaller than in the photos though. And the lobby is pretty.

Mee Hall

this hotel is such a miss bag some good some bad, to start the location is good but so is basically everyone hotel here, the rooms are fine nothing extravagant and our outdoor lights would not work aswell as some indoor lights, we also had an ant issue in the room that took 3 complaints for anything to happen about it which led to us living with basically a colony of ants for 3 days where i had to kill many myself, most of the staff were incredibly unfriendly and hostile with the exception of a few. the pool was good nothing amazing but expected the gym was old but i got my use out of it and the indoor pool i didn’t use but heard bad complains about. on top of this the deposit is incredibly cruel tho i got my deposit back i spent majority of the holiday worrying i would lose it, they say when you check in you can not even stain a towel or 40€ will be taken this led to a lot of unnecessary stress. overall i didn’t love my stay at this holiday definely did not feel like a 4 star and at every turn it felt as though the hotel was trying to get more money out of you rather then try and let you enjoy your stay would not recommend nor go again.

rachel carson

This place is a SCAM! AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!! We just returned from a stay here last week (August 2025) and all I can say is you can expect the experience of a hostel at the price of a 5 star hotel. Upon checkin, we were informed we owed a €300 deposit, something we were not notified of prior to our arrival, beyond this the check in staff seemed genuinely angered by our arrival and acted as though checking us in was a huge favour from them. The staff were amazed we didn’t know about the deposit and blamed us however after talking to other guests they too were blindsided. They hold this €300 over your head your entire trip, with a singular stained towel costing €40 of your deposit(we only had one towel for the week). On another occasion we were told we had lost our entire deposit because we had entered the indoor pool without a hairnet despite their being no one at the ‘spas’ reception and only one small sign at the entrance. The rooms took you back in time to the 1970s and not in a good way. Our fridge was broken, their was only 2 plugs in the entire room, the air con didn’t work and it took 2 days for a repair man to fix our lights (meaning we were in complete darkness), TWO DAYS IN A 4 STAR HOTEL? The rooms were not cleaned the whole week except for our bins being emptied, the floor wasn’t even brushed and beds were not made. Probably the most disappointing thing was the pool, if you’re expecting anything like the photos think again! It is tiny, overpacked, and the water resembles milk! We went one morning and didn’t return our whole trip…. The single redeeming factor to this place is the location, right between New town and Old town. Go somewhere else, I promise you it is not worth your time, your money or your patience.

Alison Wakeman

We really enjoyed our week at Brisa Sol. Without rewriting what has been said before too much, the location is perfect. A pleasant walk down to the Old Town and beach. Staff at the hotel are really friendly. We were room only although we paid extra for breakfast one morning as we were going on a boat trip. Breakfast was plentiful and reasonable amount of choice, although not cheap. The room we had was on the second floor and over looked the pool. The kitchen area is small and okay for basic self-catering (fridge (no ice box), kettle, microwave, toaster and usual crocery/cutlery etc) Beds were really comfortable and extra blankets etc in the wardrobes. Air Con was perfect. And the BEST shower ever!!! Shampoo/body wash is provided. Things to note... there are NO beach towels for around the pool, so take your own or buy some whilst you're there. DONT forget you have to pay Tourist Tax at reception AND you HAVE TO PAY for the safe in your room, should you wish to use it. Thought this was a bit mean and old-fashioned tbh. Overall though, we would recommend this hotel.

Joe Di Gangi

Great location, equidistant from both old and new towns. Very comfortable accommodation and terrific daily room service. Pool area is delightful, with sun-beds positioned on the lawn area surrounding the central swimming pool. We hired a car from Faro airport and always managed to park directly at the hotel. Some may consider the decor a little dated but otherwise clean and tidy.

Christine Martin

We loved this hotel. The rooms were lovely, clean, and spacious. We had a free upgrade to a studio, which was great as it had a little kitchen with pretty much anything you would need. The staff were helpful and friendly. I would love to go back here with my family again. It is situated between the old and new towns with a spa, outdoor and an indoor pool, and much more. My mum wants to go back too.

craig p

As with most hotels in the area the hotel was not the most modern but is exceptionally clean and the staff are all extremely friendly. Rooms cleaned every day. Pool area is fantastic for relaxing and child friendly. Just of local amenities nearby and a good location to reach the beach and the old town in a short walk. Would definitely recommend and return again.

Jeff Cahalane

Staying here at the moment. Hotel is spotless and although the rooms are slightly dated they have everything. We're self catering with a pool/ sea view. Room 307 I would recommend the woodwork be given a lick of lighter gloss to brighten up the rooms. All staff very friendly except the older guy at the pool bar. Goes out of his way to be miserable and unhelpful

Sascha and Dominika Fichter

The hotel room was pleasant, the staff were friendly, and everything was nicely maintained. Breakfast and dinner were fine, but I found the prices in the restaurant quite steep. €5 for a bottle of tap water and €8 for four tiny toasts with hummus? Overall, our stay was good, but those prices just don’t feel right.

Samira Shams

The hotel service staff are awful. They are racists and treat you with disrespect. I felt very attacked by one of them and they never made us feel welcomed at home. It was a horrible experience. We will never return here again and I highly recommend you do not look into booking your stay here. This place made our trip sour and we felt discriminated because we were people of colour. Please go anywhere but here!!

Na To van

We have been nicely welcomed by the lady from the reception, friendly and welcoming.. It was only for one night but we really enjoyed the stay and the environment.. The breakfast buffet was very good and the staff was very friendly and lovely.. really enjoyed our short stay and would definitely come back..

Esther Ngai

The lady at the reception was not welcoming at all. It seemed our arrival just bothered her. The size of the room is fine but provided nothing at all, not even a plastic cup. The bathroom was dark. The TV has only 6 channels. No heating and the room was cold. The breakfast was poor. For two persons two bread and two small croissants and a little bit of ham and cheese. At least the lady who prepared the breakfast was nice.

jackie Clampitt

Lovely place but not close to anywhere! Need a car but all clean and gardens kept lovely. Very rude lady on check in no welcome at all! Your room is not ready sit there. not what you need after a 12 hour journey to get there. A nice welcome is a great start no one spoke to us at all after check in.

Carol Veldon

We stayed at the Pestana Viking for the first time on a bed and breakfast basis and were thoroughly impressed. The food, service, and kindness of the staff were all excellent. The hotel was very clean, with a lovely pool area offering plenty of sunbeds and beautiful, scenic spots to relax and sunbathe. There are also stunning beaches and great restaurants nearby, making it a perfect location for a relaxing getaway. We would highly recommend the Pestana Viking and would be delighted to return.

Christi McEvoy

Very nice stay. Staff were very helpful and welcoming. Breakfast was great! If the jacuzzi was a little hotter and the beds had softer, fitted bedsheets it would’ve been 5 star. Would definitely stay again.

Anurag Badesha

I visited this restaurant over two days, and both experiences were exceptional. The food was absolutely delicious — fresh ingredients, perfectly cooked dishes, and beautiful presentation. I tried different items on both visits, and everything was consistently top-notch. The staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about what they do. The ambiance was cozy yet stylish, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal. It’s rare to find a place that gets it all right — flavor, service, and atmosphere — but this restaurant truly delivered. Highly recommend it to anyone in the area! About this restaurant i could only say a single word that describes it as whole was It was “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”

Emma Sweenie

Had a wonderful stay at the Pestana Viking. The hotel exceeded our expectations, friendly helpful staff, good quality and choice of food. The hotel was very clean and well maintained. We really enjoyed using the outdoor pool and facilities, my partner has booked to come back at Christmas!

Joanna Dudek

Spent a couple of nights end of September. All in all good experience, beautiful location next to the beach, great views. friendly staff. good choice buffet for breakfast even bubbles included. Room was clean. Mattress was too hard to my liking. Pool was really cold. Wellness centre not that fancy, renovated a while ago, dry sauna was not warm enough, maybe 40C, steam room (Turkish sauna) was ok temperaturewise. gym with no windows, did not look like on the website.

Cathy Surgenor

Beautiful area. Well kept gardens. Stayed in a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment - a party of 4. Adequate facilities, roomy. Kitchen had good utensils. Toaster stopped working and replacement arrived very promptly. Bathroom - shower door needs updating- bit missing so it leaked. We managed. Outside space was perfect. 3 outdoor pools plus one indoor pool. Tennis courts. Mini golf. Table tennis. Free transfer bus to Carvoeiro- needs booked in advance via reception. Uber very handy. Reception can be very busy but staff are helpful and efficient.

Sharon Harrington

Well don't know what to say but wow. My freind and I have just got back from our second year at rocha brava. Thought ladt year was beautifull our apartment but this year had a two bedroom apartment and blew us away. Everyone so helpful and cleaning staff excellent. Be back next year cannot wait. Reception staff very helpful.

John Howley

Had another great holiday in Rocha Brava. A couple of niggles, but yet again a really nice relaxing time. We really enjoyed walking down to town in almost a twice daily basis, but loved returning in the afternoon for a swim in the plunge pool followed by a swim in the main pool and then drying off in the sun.. wonderful. We will be back...

video watch r

The Resort was fantastic and lots to do. Accommodation large but needs the pluming sorted as shower would flood. But it is stunning STUNNING location and grounds. Almost all the staff are friendly except the older lady on reception who was rude and never smiled once. Shop is usefull but over priced. The negatives are very small and I would stay again in a heartbeat.

Mihai Daniel

Rocha Brava Village Resort has a great location and a beautiful pool area. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the overall atmosphere is relaxing. Our villa’s furniture felt a little bit dated, but I believe units are privately owned and managed by the resort, so interiors probably vary. Housekeeping was fine, and common areas are well kept. A good choice if you value quiet surroundings and a great pool.

Laura Heckman

There are some other reviews on here that I could easily copy and paste. The descriptions are spot on. Bottom line… this is not even close to a 4* hotel. The room is spacious, but in desperate need of an upgrade. The sofa is stained and not usable. The plastic table and chairs are better for the patio. The safe is broken. There are nails and wood protruding around the wardrobe. There are 3 hangers, all of which look like they’ve been left by other guests. I could go on about the curtains halfway off, or the wall blistering from water damage, but I think you get the point. Since we’re only staying for one night (maybe these rooms are where they put the one-nighters?), we were able to manage. At least the bed was comfortable and appeared to be a new mattress. For those staying for two weeks, I hope your room is better

Annie W. Vasc

Not a 4* experience — unless we were just unlucky with our room. For a short stay it was manageable (and we didn’t raise a complaint), and the location is convenient, but the amenities felt very basic. The room: Beds and pillows were uncomfortable, the hairdryer didn’t work, and the wardrobe had a broken piece of wood sticking out that was a clear trip hazard. The sofa was completely worn and stained, making it unusable, and the table and chairs were cheap plastic, intended for outdoor use. The safe was broken, and the bathroom wasn’t properly clean. The only toiletries provided were soap and shower gel, with two water glasses. Facilities: Breakfast was acceptable but limited, and the pool area seemed poorly maintained. However, the exterior and surrounding grounds looked fine, which makes it all the more disappointing that the interiors felt neglected and in need of investment. Service: Check-in was friendly and check-out straightforward. Overall, it’s okay for a short stay if you set your expectations, but it didn’t meet 4* standards in our experience. Other reviews suggest some rooms may be better maintained, so perhaps we were just unlucky.

Larissa da Silva

We've been coming to this hotel for 4 years and have no complaints. Everyone there is lovely, friendly and helpful- feels like home away from home. The breakfasts are great and the rooms are comfortable and clean. The gardens and pools are so well kept. Brilliant hotel 10/10.

T Bowler

Definitely Not 4 star. Rooms are minimal with no facilities whatsoever - not even a glass to use for water - no crockery/cutlery provided. No on-site options for any beverages or food, outside of minimal breakfast. Pool cafe/bar permanently closed. Nearest supermarket is over a mile away and uphill, if walking is an issue. No umbrellas around the pool. Total lack of atmosphere and facilities are virtually non-existent. Hotel has plenty of scope but needs overview and consideration for potential new clients.

Ger Heffernan

I didnt stay in tbe complex, i had access to pool facilities. The pool was really nice with adult only pool separate from family and kids area, which was nice and quiet. No pool bar available. The pool toilets were not maintained very well, but in the main hotel reception they were much cleaner. Ample towels available which were a good size and soft.

Akira Hippolyte

Stayed here for 4 nights. Lovely stay and friendly staff. My only issue was lack of buffet options and not enough variety besides chips for kids to enjoy only breakfast was superb. Rooms could do with a refurb but overall very nice. Walls are thin though. Huge balcony- my child had a small paddling pool out on it. The sunbeds are a bit close to each other around the pool but depends on what you like in terms of space. We walked to a huge supermarket nearby at the end but honestly I wish we went sooner instead of the shop on site. Overall very good stay. I would come back

James Hall

My family and I spent a week (20th-27th Sep) at Vitor's Plaza and had a wonderful holiday. The resort was everything I could have hoped for. The accommodation was spacious and spotless and the facilities were fantastic - especially the pool, what a great pool. The staff were all so friendly and helpful and the restaurant and bar was a really nice environment to be in. We ate at the hotel bar on 3 nights and the food was fantastic. We also ventured off resort and had some wonderful meals out in Alvor. For us this was easily walkable, but we also utilised Uber of which there were plenty, and always arrived at the hotel within 5 mins and only cost 3-4 euros. There is a lovely bakery and Supermarket only a 15 minute walk from the hotel, on the way to Alvor if you need to do a big shop for your stay, but you also have the fantastic Mini Market on-site which stocks most essentials. There is a shuttle service to the beach, which was excellent and the driver gave us so much information about the area. Transport and tour guide in one, can't remember his name (he lives in Alvor), but he was so welcoming, and informative - thankyou. We were so sad to leave, it was a wonderful holiday, lovely country, lovely resort, fantastic staff - who went out of their way to make sure we had the best time. A massive thankyou to all at Vitor's Plaza for looking after us all so well. My perfect holiday.

David Thorp

A short distance from Alvor but it's only €5 with Uber, apartments are very spacious and decent size balcony, pool is big enough, plenty of sun loungers, very clean public areas, and apartments are cleaned every second day, would definitely recommend

Matthew Kennard

We chose this location for the pool and what we had hoped would be a quiet relaxing end to our tour of Europe. The pool was very nice, a little cold but very nice, the room had an odd smell but was large and comfortable. The room has a kitchen, but it lacked dish towels or soap to wash the dishes, you have to buy them from the onsite store. There are no towels for the pool so we were forced to buy three for 10E each only to have to leave them there when we left, that was really disappointing. How hard is it to give three pool towels? The Breakfast was great day one...then after seeing the exact same spread everyday we were disappointed, no change ever... The food at the pool bar was terrible...we couldn't eat it if you don't line up at 9am for a pool chair you won't get one, they will be taken with towels and even though the front desk says the enforce the no hold policy, we watched, they don't. I saw three guests holding five chairs. There are smokers everywhere, we even saw a pregnant woman smoking next to her kids, smokers should be asked to leave the pool to smoke and not do it around the kids The noise at the bar and pool goes past 11pm and is awful, kids screaming and loud announcer that echoes throughout the whole grounds The location is good but you need a car, nothing good is in walking distance, they do provide a shuttle but it is very limited and small The front desk hosts were nice but indifferent except Fatima who was the best, she was the only one that we felt truly cared about us. It think that this is a 2.5-3 star place, not the 4 star that they claim to be

Sara Kalinowski

I'm writing on behalf of my friend and her family. They had been staying there for a while and everything seemed well. I thought they were safe and was shocked to hear that the property manager was physically abusive towards them. While I don't know the whole story, please look in to this. This issue has caused me great concern and made me question visiting.

Kevin Shearer

We just finished a wonderful 10-day stay at the resort and we're already planning our return! The entire experience, from beginning to end, was fantastic. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. Every staff member we encountered, from the front desk to the restaurants and bars, was incredibly welcoming. The resort's selection of pools was a major highlight, and our kids absolutely loved them. The food was also excellent; we had the bed and breakfast option and there was something delicious for everyone. We highly recommend this resort to anyone looking for a holiday in the sun, whether as a couple, family, or solo traveler. We look forward to booking our next trip soon.

Peter Marciňák

We spent a pleasant 7 days at the hotel. As for the accommodation, the apartment was spacious enough for our family of 4 (two adult daughters), but we would have liked more storage space for clothes. We especially appreciate the beautiful terrace with a partial view of the sea. We had half board at the hotel, and the food was of very good quality and especially the dinners were varied enough. The staff was mostly nice and helpful. A big plus is the large and free parking right in front of the hotel. Thank you for a pleasant holiday and we will be happy to come back here on our next visit to the Algarve.

Catherine Carty

Just came back from here. Absolutely fantastic time. Stunning resort. You have access to 10 pools, mini waterpark for children, supermarket on site. There a few restaurants also to choose from. You are 10 minutes drive from old town and 10 minute drive from new town. The only i would say while the entertainment at the pool during the day was good, I feel the music should be playing all day to add to the atmosphere. Rooms spotless, cleaned every day. Will definitely come back here again and would highly recommend here to family and friends

Robert Krom

Fantastic hotel for families! There are multiple pools at the hotel, as well as the two other related hotels which are just across the street. The food is nice and the staff is very friendly. You can walk right to the beach from the hotel 😍 A bug plus: you can park your rental car easily on one of the parking spaces of the hotel.

L Bos

We love it here! We have a 11 day trip booked here as a family: 2 adults and 2 kids (6&8). We choose a standard room. It's just fine. Big enough for all of us. There is one bedroom with a double bed and in the living room there is a simple sofa bed for 2. We have two kids that don't sleep in, so it is a bit noisy because of the sliding door. But the hotel is so nice it hardly bothered us. There are several pools (14 in total) that you can choose from. The first welcome at the reception was very pleasant. The staff at the reception is soooo kind, helpfull and genuinly interested. They truly want to give you a great experience with a lot of service. We asked for another room for a nicer view and they did their best and managed to get us a better room even though it seemed fully booked. If I could give extra stars for the reception staff AND interns I would ;-) I would have stayed longer if we could. It is a big hotel but because it is so big the guests are spread very widely throughout the resort so you still feel relaxed. I highly recommend the hotel to anyone! If you stay longer than a week I would recommend a car. The walk to the beach is amazing, but a lot of stairs though. I am a person who likes to try new things but I do consider coming back one day 😊 Mt obrigado por tudo!

cliff man

Booked at random but turned out to be of my favourite places iv ever visited for a holiday. Despite pool being very busy we had a toddler who loved the baby pool area and while he napped during the day we swam at the adults pool which was very quiet. Location great 5/7 mins taxi to the old town and apartments are huge and very comfortable. Restaurant for breakfast and dinner was great. Really relaxed vibes through the visit. They make you feel extra special here. 100% recommend and it Gives you the feel of a Hollywood movie in the resort.

Shelley Baker

We have a 2 bed apartment which is nicely decorated. The kitchen could be better equipped for those who are self-catering, I feel. The family pool is not overly big for the size of the property and does get very busy in peak holiday times and trying to find a sunbed is impossible as everyone is up and putting towels down and then going to breakfast! I think this should be monitored better. The location is good for getting around, we had a car. The hotel does provide a shuttle to old town and the beach. The hotel is very much geared to younger kids and they all looked to be having great fun. Our girls are 11&13 so a bit older.

HIPPYTED

Lovely and clean. Food is good but Luke warm not hot. So many kids and screaming babies. It's like living in a massive orphanage. if you have kids older than 10 it's not great. They will be bored. Staff are amazing. I couldn't do it.

Robert Longworth

The staff at Eden Villas are truly amazing, making it feel like a true holiday. The food has been fantastic quality and varied, changing menu each meal/day. The facilities have been great for the children and we love the free shuttle bus to areas like the old town and beach. Love the all inclusive for food and drinks. I was worried this would restrict the food/drink on offer but it really hasn’t. If I had to be picky the apartment itself is a little shabby with some questionable electrics/lighting, but there’s so much to do we don’t spend much time in there, however when we are in our rooms the air conditioning is a Godsend.

Jack Regan

We’ve just come back from a wonderful stay here as a family of 5 (three children aged 4, 9 and 10). A few comments below: Accommodation: Perfectly clean, lots of space for the 5 of us (staying in a 2 bed villa). Minor feedback - the shop sells corked wine and bottled beer but there was no corkscrew or bottle opener in the villa. Food/Drink - We were all inclusive and found the amount of variety absolutely excellent. As vegetarians there was always multiple healthy and indulgent options for us to choose from in both the restaurant and snack bar. Good selection of drinks and the kids loved being able to get themselves mocktails. Location - Nice and quiet but near enough if you wanted to get out and explore. Staff - absolutely fantastic, the entertainment team were so engaging with the kids and all members of staff were lovely. Our kids particularly loved Ivo the barman. For anybody considering this as a family friendly location we’d 100% recommend it. Our kids are already desperate to go back.

Fem Feral #NotDeadYet

Stayed here with a group. Upgraded my room to an apartment for ♿️ accessibility. There is only one ♿️ parking spot in the car park which has a metal pole exactly where you open your door 🫣 perhaps not planned well but be aware when parking. The hotel/ resort is a nice airy and open layout perfect for me with allergies. The room was big and in great condition, television big with many premium channels. Beds are very hard and caused me numbness, not an uncommon problem in hotels in the Algarve so I assume normal for the area. Breakfast was quite possibly the most comprehensive spread of types and styles of breakfast. Beyond ten out of ten for this. The onside restaurant made potentially life threatening errors with my meal relating to my severe allergies, I couldnt eat the meal I was served or the side dishes and the kitchen has no allergy protocol for severe allergies. Theu even served my main with one of my worst allergens proudly atop the dish after 15 minutes ensuring this cannot and would not happen. I drove to Lidl in the end for food.the apartment had very limited accessories for the kitchenette, no saucepans or pots to cook with dispite there being a hob. The views from the room, the bar and the restaurant are fabulous but the lack of care in the kitchen has left a bad taste, for want of a better term. If you're a normal non faulty human this place is great for the price point. If you need extra care to stay alive, probably not the place for you.

Miki 1908

Great location with nice rooms. Our room had a rooftop with chairs and lounge chairs for tanning. One issue was the moldy bathroom- no ventilation caused black mold. We were sick with upper respiratory infections by day four. Pool was nice and there is poolside service with food and beverages. The breakfast buffet is included and there’s a nice variety of food. The buffet included made to order omelettes the buffet also included fresh fruit, pastries, potatoes, mimosas, juices, meats, cheeses, pancakes, and more. There’s a fitness center. There’s also a kids play area. There is a golf cart that can take you around the facility by request. If you need an airport shuttle, please schedule it in advance because it’s not readily available upon demand the boardwalk is within walking distance. There is a liquor store within walking distance. There are many places to eat nearby.

Lydia Fox

This was supposed to be a relaxing holiday for my husband’s 30th birthday, but instead it was ruined by the hotel staff. My jewellery disappeared from our room after housekeeping had been in, and when we reported it to reception, the way we were treated was shocking. There was no urgency, no empathy, no accountability. Management made no real effort to investigate, they simply asked the staff if they’d seen it and left it at that and just told us to call the police. For a supposedly premium hotel, the lack of care and professionalism was unbelievable. I no longer felt safe staying in the hotel. We decided to check out early because the trust was completely gone. The experience left me anxious and upset when I should have felt looked after. To make things worse, I later discovered that there are other reviews mentioning similar incidents. Clearly this hotel has a serious problem with security and chooses to ignore it. This is not what you expect from a 4 star NH hotel. The way we were treated was unacceptable, and I would strongly advise others to stay elsewhere this place is not safe.

Sandy Sharp

Absolutely brilliant beautiful place to stay🙌. Location was the best being flat to walk to the beach and bars whereas all of the hotels in the area are up higher, climbing steps. Lovely two storey hotel with great swimming pool. Rooms lovely with air con and kept very clean. Service great polite helpful staff. Food ..amazing. And the views from the restaurant are to die for... overlooking Marina and Estuary...so many beautiful boats passing by. My husband was in his element. We would definitely recommend and will certainly be back. Thank you for making our stay so great.

Bianca S

Fine hotel, reception and staff are serviceminded - even arranged for a lunch box as we had to leave early for the airport. Nice view from the marina rooms over the harbor. A short walk or ride to the main pool or beach. Uber is cheap to go to the city center. Downsides breakfast omelet and scrambled should be made from real eggs, but nice fresh fruit. Rooms are a bit loud and you can hear your neighbors clearly. But they were clean and the bed comfortable.

Cheyenne Lorch

It was all absolutely great! The staff was even one of our highlights! The receptionist, the breakfast staff member Rhui and the bartender Benjamin, they were within helpful, friendly and courteous. Thank you. We will definitely come back!! ♡ LG Mikel + Cheyenne

Mohamed naas

Great hotel in a nice location even without a car. The bus stop is 3 minutes away. The pool is so refreshing and the receptionist was extremely helpful 100000% : ) The bed was a bit hard to my taste, but it didn't annoy me. I'll definitely come again to this peaceful place :)

Cédric Schellemans

Pretty big rooms with a nice shower. There’s a construction site next to the pool so it wasn’t not that relaxing. Kinda far from the beach but there is a bus stop nearby. Overall pretty good for the price

Julia Dem

Fantastic experience from start to finish. Super lovely staff, yummy food & drinks, you can get breakfast/lunch til 2pm. Rooms and pool super clean and our room was very spacious for 2 people. Perfect hotel for adults that want to relax and enjoy some sun 🥰

Matt Filer

Room was a little dated but can't fault it for the price - the on site facilities were great, very well kept pool and nice little bar area for food and drinks. Would defo recommend as a great way of having a hub for exploring around the Algarve! The local pubs and restaurants are also just a short walk away.

Heather Schroeder

We stayed at the newer hotel and it was great. So many pools and so much for my three year old to do. He really enjoyed the water slides. We went to the sister hotel across the street for breakfast because they had more seating room. The apartment had everything we needed to make lunch and if we wanted dinner. Lots of places to choose from for dinner near by if you don’t get dinner included.

Martin Rance

We visited from Malaga, Spain. We are a family of 4, with two very young kids. They absolutely loved it, and we loved it for this very same reason. Animation team was incredible and we will come back. In general really fantastic facilities. Rooms should get updated with new fresh looking furniture, but it works well and its clean. Food in the pool bar needs an update and could be much better. Then they would also be more busy i think. But all in all very happy with everything.

Issac Levy

Overall, a great family hotel with good value for money. The room was very comfortable and spacious, although the bathroom needed a serious renovation. There is a nice variety of pools, and the facilities don't feel crowded even in high season. There were nice shows for the children almost every evening. The food in the Oliveira restaurant was of very poor quality and taste. The Palm restaurant was much better. The pool's water temperature is very cool, even when it was 30 degrees outside. Pillows were too puffy

SGTPHIL

Excellent choice for families, The overall area is very well kept and staff are very friendly and helpful. All the pools in the hotel area are very nice and clean. The hotel itself needs a bit of tlc but overall still a beautiful location. Kids entertainment is spot on and my daughter loved every minute. You will appreciate the hotels grounds a lot more when you travel just 4 minutes down the road and notice the general area is a bit run down with a lot of shops sell all the same items as the last. Local shops are very over priced but if you go for a 2 minute walk down the road from the hotel there is a Spar which sells everything you will need to save a bit of cash if you're on a budget. Definitely would recommend as a first time visit to Portugal.

Jazmine B

Really good hotel. The room was lovely with a massive balcony over looking the pool. They have several pools including an indoor pool and heated pool. Restaurants on site were lovely. Short walk to the beach. Friendly staff and a nice pool bar.

Maz Walker

September 2025 - enjoyed our stay, very very peaceful, staff warm and welcoming, the half board meal selection was very limited, there was a choice of two starters, three mains and three desserts. Most of the food was absolutely lovely but sometimes you just wanted something different and fish or a bowl of pasta just wasn't it? Be warned chips is crisps not fries! My husband's face when he received a tuna steak in a bowl covered in crisps when he thought he was having chips was a picture! The apartment and room service was very good, our views in our premium apartment were very nice. Now the biggy, (the elephant in the room) that god damn hill..... It's horrendous, especially if you're not fit, have any health conditions or in some cases, non of the above! It's horrendous, especially when it's hot which it was for us. The best thing to do is leave Vitors, turn left, turn left again walk towards the main road, and turn left again. The road is fast, loud and very busy but the views over the harbour and Ferraguddo are beautiful. You can walk all the way down into Ferraguddo market square and walk back the same way. We got really fit doing this walk twice a day. Will we go back to Vitors, I think we might ☺️ Ferraguddo fishing village is old & absolutely beautiful ❤️

Michael Pinto

Fantastic staff, rooms,maintenance and wonderful restaurant. Pool looked great but we didn't use it as we are not 'pool people' 🤣 It's convenient to have a car for shopping,traveling around groceries etc. If you are planning to stay in Ferragudo, Continente for groceries is a short Uber ride. The Ferragudo strip is a 10 min walk down hill to many restaurants. If you are not inclined to walk back uphill, Uber is around €5.

Kev Collier

We've just returned (Wednesday) from an eight day stay via a Jet2 B&B package in a one bedroomed apartment. The location, facilities, staff, service and food was excellent and the staff were all very helpful and friendly and went out of their way to make our stay even more enjoyable. We stayed on a Bed & Breakfast basis, and the breakfast was excellent each morning and on the two occasions we ate in the restaurant, the food again was excellent 👌 Highly recommended whether as a couple or family.

Atefeh - Ati O

We had a nice stay at Viator Village overall. The reception staff were very welcoming and helpful – we arrived late on the first night, and they kindly kept food and snacks aside for us, which we really appreciated. The place was relatively clean and comfortable, and the atmosphere was relaxed. The only downside was our experience with one of the bar staff members. We asked if we could sit at one of the empty tables by the windows during dinner (our stay included dinner), but the bartender told us those tables were for “bar only” guests. Unfortunately, no one sat at those tables for the entire evening, so it would have been nice if there was a little more flexibility instead of such a firm “no.” Aside from that, it was a positive experience, and we enjoyed our stay.

Amy Everson

What a lovely place to stay! Quiet, clean, great food and awesome cocktails- definitely recommend the strawberry daiquiris! We had a WFHH - working from home holiday and the WIFI in rooms and reception was stable and good to use. About 10-15 min walk from the main village and we really recommend the Indian in the corner, it was excellent. Also recommend taking the water taxi too, it was lovely at sunset.

Milly Ross

Just returned from a 5 night stay with friends staying in one of the apartments. Despite some of the negative reviews, I could not fault this hotel for the price paid. Yes, the rooms may be slightly outdated but they are clean, big enough, with good showers and beds and AC that actually works! We were charged a €30 deposit on arrival and this was returned not even 24 hours after check out. Staff helpful and friendly, and you can speak with them via WhatsApp. Pool was clean and had a chill vibe with a mixture of people. Food at the pool bar was excellent. 5 min walk to the beach, 5 min walk to the New Town Strip, 10 min taxi to Old Town. Would definitely return

Sarah Saunders

We're worried after reading some reviews but our apartment was very nice. Clean, modern and spacious. Pools can get a bit busy with groups but if you have children then earlier in the morning or later in the evening was a bit quieter. We would come back.

Rachel Best

Apartment was spacious with a sea view from the balconies. Beach down the wooden steps was perfect. Hotel staff really helpful on WhatsApp. No issues with noise. Lovely holiday.

Sue Periquito

My family and I had 3 night in one of the apartments. The issues started right away with the shower and sink flooding all over the floor. They sent someone the next day but we still had water leaking from a sink they fixed also. There were bugs everywhere and all the food we bought had to be thrown out. He sent someone to spray and that did nothing. They refused to give us any type of refund.

Daniel Collins

We stayed here back in June for a stag do, and unfortunately a few things unfolded that were unexpected. At the time, we were told we would receive a partial refund. I felt the situation was handled well enough that it didn’t need to be made public in a review, so I trusted that it would be resolved. However, after returning home and waiting several months, the refund has still not been received. I trusted Marco to do the right thing, as he seemed genuine, but it’s now clear that I was being put off. My advice: be very careful when handing over money. Do not book directly through their website, use a trusted third party, so you have a formal route of complaint and can ensure you get your money back if an issue arises. Wouldn’t recommend purely because you would want the company to do right by the people that are paying for the service however that doesn’t seem to be the case at this place.

ange bade

Just back from this little holiday. I don’t go to see beautiful rooms/old furniture/or rusted screws.. A holiday is what you make it. The staff in this Aparthotel are Absolutely Brilliant.. all smiles/greetings/ even help out when a bug get into the room.. We laughed /screamed but it was dealt with by reception staff.. The food in restaurant was lovely And plenty as were the drinks.. Again Staff were Brilliant Pools were nice.plenty sun beds. Only down side room was facing a loud main road.. I’m sure we will return.. Would be nice to do AI. But there don’t Fun was had by all Ange and Rugg family Thank You

Amber

This is my second time staying here and I cannot fault it. The staff are so welcoming and friendly - 5 stars! And the rooms are lovely and tidy and spacious. The location is amazing it’s a few minutes walk to the beach and there are lots of places to eat on the door step. I would highly recommend!

Chris Pullan

Really enjoyed our week long stay. For the price, this far exceeded my expectations. Rooms were clean & comfortable. Pool and restaurant are great with amazing, friendly staff. Short walk to the beach front area and cheap taxis available to the other destinations in the area.

Janet Gilbank

Writing this sat on our own sun soaked balcony. We have had 7 out of 10 night holiday. Can't find or think of anything negative too say. People and place amazing. Great food. Enjoying it so much will be booking next year as soon as we get home. Hotel staff are fantastic so friendly and helpful. It felt like home from the start. Also feels a very safe area.

Jennifer Hi

We can really recommend this place. We loved the welcome by Cosmin (it was pretty late, but he was so welcoming "now your holiday starts", funny and understanding - we were traveling with a toddler). We got a studio including breakfast buffett at the Oceanus Snack Bar (which is just opposite of the hotel) - I wrote an additional review about it, because the team that runs is are just very nice and professional. The Studio we stayed in was not brand new, but it was spacious and had all we needed. There are few things you need to know about the kitchen: You need to bring dishwashing liquid and your own sponge, but there is a kitchen towel and all the cutlery, pots, knives you need. We also had a microwave. The indoor pool is not huge but we went in April and there was basically no one there. The outdoor pools are neat and clean, can imagine they are well used in summer. Its very pratical that the snack bar is right next to the pools. So in general all thumbs up, if you are not an "all polished and shiny" person :)

Oliver Noles

This resort is so nice! I was a little concerned originally when booking because some recent negative reviews, but we had the best time! It deserves a lot more than the current 4.0 rating. Yes while the hotel is showing its age a little, it feels super cosy and the rooms were lovely and clean. The outdoor pool area is gorgeous and the poolside bar has a great cocktail selection and good prices. All the staff were helpful, welcoming and friendly. The breakfast offering was amazing! So many choices and everything was delicious. There is a massive free car park and a paid underground car park within a short walk. Overall 10/10, can’t wait to come back and visit again. Thank you 🙏

tina

Best hotel experience - we booked 35 rooms at the start of September as a group booking for our wedding and I must say the service, the rooms and the staff are exceptional! Everyone was soo friendly, soo helpful and we had the most seamless experience. The reception staff were amazing we were able to use their spaces around the hotel to gather our guests for games nights etc and they really accommodated for us. The hotel staff took away all the stress that any couple planning a destination wedding may have. In case the reception staff do not remember it it is Tina and Meetesh room 1523 booking from 30/08-05/09. Thank you for making our wedding stay a great one and that to for not only us but our 60 guests!

Kristen Gray

Hotel stars should be re-evaluated each year - I can absolutely see how this WAS a 4-star hotel but to claim that presently is reaching. The hotel is dated and sadly not being taken care of - it looks tattered and worn from the outside and while there are moments of great inside, it needs some reinvesting in. The beach club is a whole other disaster I mention below. When we checked in, there was live music happening that was so loud it made it impossible to hear the lovely gentleman at the front desk. He did tell us they upgraded our room which was nice. The room itself, didn’t feel like an upgrade. It was a “suite” which was 2 rooms but cold, sparsely furnished and very dated. As we got into our stay, it wasn’t just dated, things were broken (the ATM) and it just seemed like one thing after another. First, the shuttle to the “beach club” which we were told about upon check in and given a schedule for was broken and instead of informing the guests, there was a group of us sitting outside the lobby waiting and waiting until I finally went in to inquire and the young woman at the desk told me the large bus was broken and there was a smaller one making rounds and would be there soon. Not once did she mention (or anyone) that the pickup was not right out front but around the corner where there was ANOTHER uninformed group waiting that got on the small van forcing us to wait another 20 minutes. 45 minutes later, we were shuttled to a parking lot where we walked down a path to not a beach club but a small pool with a snack bar and cafe. We were told at check in to get towels from the pool at the hotel or the beach club, when we asked they refused and said we had to get them at the hotel. No one on our shuttle had towels from the hotel so it wasn’t just us AND the gentleman told me, quite rudely, that he’d “tell the hotel again but he doesn’t know how many times he can keep telling them” and that was that. 45 minute wait for an overprice warm beer, no towel and a “manager” that couldn’t care less. We ubered to a local beach bar and never looked back. The photos on the website of this hotel and the beach club cannot be from the last decade, it’s complete deception. When I tried reaching out to Tivoli at the corporate level, I got someone in Madrid who told me someone would reach out and that never happened. When we went to the Tivoli in Lisbon, we were blown away by the atmosphere, the food/drinks and service, we were thrilled to visit another location in Lagos - what a disappointment. The worst part is no one even asked us how our stay was when we check out. I don’t know who is managing this location but they could use some coaching from the Lisbon team.

Nuala Cronin

Misleading, Overpriced, and Poor Value I wouldn't stay here again or recommend it to others. This hotel is seriously overpriced for what it offers, and I’m genuinely surprised by all the glowing reviews. The photos used to advertise it, especially on Expedia, are misleading at best. The beach club shown prominently is actually a 10-minute drive away and not part of the hotel itself. Access to it also costs extra, which wasn’t made clear during booking. The condition of the hotel was beyond underwhelming. The hallway outside our room stank, had a mouldy, stained carpet, and flies (see pictures). The whole place needs a proper deep clean, specifically the pool area/ outside. It’s in desperate need of some updates, especially if they’re going to continue being as stingey as they were. They charged extra for absolutely everything — including in-room coffee (€1.50 per pod) and even just to open a bottle of wine previously purchased to drink in our own room (€5). Water in the lobby was limited to a tiny glass, and when I asked if I could fill my water bottle (during a 38 degree day), a staff member said “no - that’s how wesell more water, obviously.” That really summed up the overall attitude, cutting corners while charging premium prices. The only upsides of this hotel was a decent breakfast spread (you get charged if you bring any food out of the breakfast room lol) and the location is convenient. But the hotel doesn’t live up to its own advertising or basic hospitality standards. They need to reinvest all the money they’re charging into cleaning, maintenance, and more honesty in their marketing. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.

Netter P

The staff are nice and helpful and the location is excellent. My main issue is there is a serious cleanliness and roach issue here. We only stayed for a night…stayed up pretty late trying to kill these little suckers in the room. There were questionable stains on the walls and bathroom. If the cleaning crew paid more attention to the rooms…

Harneet Sandhu

Our stay at this hotel was a nightmare. We checked in late because of our flight and the hotel had a musty smell and wallpaper was peeling in the room. Our eyes got red and itchy and my throat became irritated pretty soon after we got to our room. We turned on the AC and the next day the room had a really intense mold smell. We told reception about it and when maintenance came to the room they immediately noticed the smell. Then they upgraded us to a one bedroom suite which didn't smell like mold but still had a musty smell. There was ants crawling on the nightstand, so we didnt even feel comfortable taking our clothes out of the suitcase. Then in the evening there was a massive cockroach on the closet in the living room (see the picture). We called reception and it crawled into the closet and they told us the closet has been nailed shut since they did renovations and that we could let them know if it comes back out. I refused to stay in the room and they offered to change our room again but we asked to have the remainder of our stay refunded because we just did not want to stay there anymore. It was ruining our experience of the city because we were dealing with so many hotel issues. They refunded the rest of the stay and we checked out at 11 pm to find a new hotel. The employees were helpful but the hotel itself was a disaster.

Swati Patel

Please read if you are planning to stay! Our experience was not good. We are currently staying at the hotel and not sure how this is considered a four star hotel. We did not have a good experience. The day we arrived at 2pm as per our booking, they said check-in is at 4pm. We traveled all the way from Lisbon early so we can make it for 2pm check-in and had to wait 2.5 hours as the room wasn’t ready. Wasted a lot of our time as we had plans which got delayed. The staff said they would try to get the room ready for 3pm, did not happen and room was ready around 4:15pm. The room we got was okay, bathroom was not cleaned well. When we came back to our room that night we noticed multiple BUGS!! They did not clean the room well even though they had 2.5 hours to clean it before our check-in at 2pm. We had to switch rooms in the middle of the night. The room we got after was a bit cleaner but their floorboard was broken. The hotel itself is old, decor to carpeting to the walls, things chipping off the wall, everything just seems old and doesn’t seem like it’s maintained well. Rooms are decent size if that’s all you care about. Only giving 1 star cause some of the staff were nice and were able to switch our room (which we shouldn’t have had to do in the first place!). Overall, not a good experience, I would not stay here again.

Crista Laslo

We’ve had a decent stay at Carveiro Hotel, however it is far, far from a 4star hotel … Rooms: +: spacious and clean. We’ve had a room with a nice garden view and a big balcony. There is also a small kitchen integrated, so we could also prepare some bites. Nice pool outside, nice garden. -: old furniture. Unfortunately it feels and smells old. The furniture has already lived its life, and needs serious restoration to be kept in a 4 stars hotel … Bathroom: while clean, they have issues with the ventilation system. Breakfast: scarce, really really scarce. It was really a disappointment. 3 types of cheese, 3 types of ham, some eggs, some sweets, some fruits, and that was all. No fresh vegetables for a salad … the producs available were good and decent quality, but in a 4 star hotel one expects great variety. If i had been vegan for example - i wouldn’t have had what to chose from. The coffee also instant coffee … Hotel staff: really nice and attentive. Nothing to complain about. Conclusion: it was decent, but for sure didn’t met our expectations, and we felt it was too expensive for what it offered.

Mike Williams

If this was rated as a three star hotel I would give it four stars, but very ambitiously, it is rated as a four star hotel, which it just isn’t. It was clean, the AC worked well and the staff were nice, but the breakfast was extremely average, the decor is tired and the hotel needs a major refurbishment. It’s just tired. For a short stay, fine, any longer and it would be a challenging proposition.

Luca Pileggi

We stayed here towards the end of our trip. After driving a few hours from our last hotel, we arrived at Carvoeiro Hotel. Pleased to have parking included, but challenging to get a spot. Some folks parked wide, which took up extra spots. The grounds/landscape were well maintained. We were “greeted” by the front desk staff who were either at the end of shift or lacked life-force. We were given our keys and excitedly proceeded to the room down a dimly lit hallway. We opened the door and were instantly met with a foul odour, sewage or similar, and a hint of chemical. We ventured in and surveyed the room further. The room was spacious and tidy. Within moments we discovered why there was a chemical odour, as we started to see that this room had a small infestation of ants. We went back to the front desk to advise them of the concern, to which they provided a can of bug spray to use, and so we tried with no success. The ants continued to roam. We returned to the front desk and asked for another room. Their housekeepers quickly set-up a new room and helped us in. We still had the sewage odour, but no insects were visible. We ventured around the area, returning to the hotel later that evening greeted by a new front desk crew, with slightly more pep (slightly). We found the most helpful team was working the late evening/early morning shift. It was a comfortable stay, but as far as stays go, this hotel made us ready to head home. Can’t say I agree with the 4 star rating they’ve been awarded. I would just suggest that traveler set their expectations.

Jeremy Gunetilleke

Me and 10 friends stayed at this hotel and it was amazing! The staff were great fun and so welcoming. The facilities were excellent — swimming pool, bar, good food, lounging areas, music, sunbathing spots — everything you’d want. The rooms were really spacious, and we even had some pre-drinks in the room before heading out. Taxis arrived straight away whenever we needed them, and there’s even a kebab shop just across the road for a late-night bite. Honestly, I couldn’t recommend this place enough. Great value for money!

H LC

Lovely hotel with very friendly and helpful staff. Decent prices for food and drinks which were all great. If you skip having your room cleaned for a day you get a five euro voucher to spend at the hotels bar and restaurant which was good. Location is great however if you are at the front of the hotel prepare for very loud noise and flashing lights until 6am from the club opposite! It kept me awake majority of the nights. Other than that it was a great place.

Kathryn Ashley

Loved this hotel. Room good size. Lovely pool. Location is brilliant for the strip which we only done during the day. Great for younger people at night. Staff always helpful. Very clean.

Gerard Diver

I Would recommend no bother. Just a couple of small criticisms, the room was quite small and only a coffee making machine which wasn't used as I drink tea. The hotel should be more transparent about it's attracted clientele which is more a younger group due to the dance club vibe, dance music all day from about 12 noon and the big Dance Club directly facing it. This wasn't an issue for me or my wife as I like dance music but it attracts a younger more ladish and ladette type of crowd. We were interrupted from sleep in two nights but it wasn't a major issue. The prices for drinks even local, are quite expensive. I would stay with mates again but not as a family or couples holiday. Staff were excellent from front desk to bar and waiter service.

Pauline Brown

Absolutely lovely hotel opposite Kiss night club, which fortunately only open Friday and Saturday. Hotel staff friendly, breakfast vast choice and lovely Husbands 60th birthday and brought a surprise cake and bottle fresh orange juice to room. Lovely gesture, thank you Studio room, clean with huge bedroom, extremely comfortable beds. Bathroom lovely shower, constant hot water. Kitchen with fridge, cooking facilities and utensils. Although we didn't use but literally everything needed. Ironing board and iron. TV channels English available. One we loved film after film whist chilled in room. Free safe and Wi-Fi Pool area we didn't use, although very clean Absolutely recommend this hotel Perfect 👌

Grzegorz Opara

Highly recommend! A hotel with an ideal location – literally right on the beach. Plenty of great restaurants and many lovely cafés in the area. The breakfast was absolutely excellent and very diverse, offering outstanding quality. Rooms are large, very clean, and serviced daily, and also included a small kitchenette which was perfectly equipped with everything needed for a short stay. Tip: It's worth getting a higher floor (we got 6th floor)! We had a side ocean view from the terrace, and drinking coffee with that view was pure pleasure! The Staff is very kind and helpful. The price is affordable considering the excellent standard offered. We also used the parking, which was a great convenience. We will definitely be back here!

Elena Done

Excellent location. Walkable to everything. Good size contemporary rooms. Breakfast has wide range of food and good service. Parking is tight, really tight, manageable though. Please, note that if you book early check-in, it might not be available and you’ll have to wait .

jenni harrison

Lovely hotel. Very clean and well positioned near the beach, shops,restaurants and bars. It's lovely and quiet inside so you don't hear the bustle outside. The food it tasty and varied and the service is friendly.

Laura Figuereo

My honest review: From day one, everything was great. Our room was ready earlier than expected and we were let in early. The people who took care of us were very friendly and helpful at all times. The pool is not very big, but it's fine. Unfortunately we could not enjoy it because the weather was not favorable and it was a bit cold, the water too. As for the food, I have no complaints, you have 2 options, opt for breakfast included or breakfast and dinner included, if you can afford both, it is the best option, dinners are really very good and varied, breakfast is also good, but it is not as varied as dinner, each day of the week has a menu for dinner and each one was quite nice. Of course there will always be days that you like more than others. But in general everything is fine. The room is very nice, but I must say that for the children, the beds were not the same I that brought a little conflict, if it is possible that they can correct that the smaller beds are as similar as possible would be very good. The location of the hotel is really wonderful, walking distance to the beach, Tours and establishments selling beach items, food, restaurants, etc. The cleanliness of the room was good, but sometimes I felt that they went too fast and did not spend much time cleaning the room, finding sand after it had already been cleaned. The machines at the gym are not in the best conditions, it would be nice to upgrade. In my experience the hotel deserves 5 stars, it is not a resort, it is a hotel and our stay was pleasant. I think I will be back.

Aaron Morris

Right on the beach. King bed was a little firm, but you couldn’t beat the location if you are there to mostly hang on the beach. Buffet is catered to British tourist….not a spec of local Portuguese food to be seen.

Gordon Lucas

Had a great stay here. Very quiet area, but only a ten minute walk from the Marina. The apartment was a little tired looking, but very clean and had everything you could need. The staff were very friendly (one receptionist even lent me €2 to cover a taxi fare - I paid it back fyi 😄) The communal pools were lovely and well kept. Location wise the hotel is in a quiet residential area. Very peaceful. Only a short walk from the marina and local supermarkets, and only 5 or 6 euro in a taxi if you dont want to walk. All in, its a very reasonably priced place to stay, and I'd definitely stay again.

Dean Fitzgerald

Not bad, but reception doesn't open till 8am and front desk closed. Not very helpful when you got an early checkout. And rooms a bit dated and basic considering the cost I think. Enjoyed the pool bar where staff were helpful and accommodating

Otilia Vicente

Highly recommend great location surrounded by lush gardens and trees. Not far from the Marina and beach but far enough to beat the commotion. Very calm and relaxing. Service is great and the workers are wonderful. Grounds and rooms are very clean.

John Golding

Just completed our second stay at this complex and I have to say it’s been amazing. A particular shout out to the onsite restaurant. How can food at a poolside bar be this good?? Truly outstanding and it’s clear the team here have made areal effort. Well done and we can’t wait to return.

Cat White

This place is perfect if you want a peaceful retreat & don't want to be in a packed, busy, noisy hotel. There is uneven paving and steps to navigate, but there's lots of this in Villamora. We like the 15/20 minute walk to the Marina. This place suits friendly, down to earth people, who are polite & courteous to each other & like a chat around the pool. Lovely atmosphere. We get an uber from the airport to Lidl on the way in, for drinks & ice creams etc & eat in the marina most nights. We've stayed here 4 times & are booked for 2026. Love it. Definitely NOT for party people!

K

Had a Beautiful stay at AP Cabanas Beach and Nature in Portugal. This was our first time visiting Portugal and have to say it had been our best holiday for us. The hotel staff were welcoming with a welcoming with smile all round, very were professional from front of house main desk, Spa therapist, restaurant and room service all delivered to a high standard. That is what made our stay a relaxing atmosphere. The hotel itself is amazing, lots of space to relax you did not feel over crowded. Loved the variety of high quality food choices across the 2 onside restaurant Ria and Grill which we could book 24 hours and the staff went over and above to amend a meat order due to my sister not eating meat which was lovely of them at short notice being that it was a set meal. Flor de Sal The main buffet restaurant had a delicious range and loved that the restaurant accommodate as range of eating buffet fro. Breakfast, lunch and dinner up to 10pm serving. The rooftop views were incredible as you can see from my photos. I highly recommend this hotel for a Beautiful and relaxing stay. We just Loved every minute of our stay with you AP Cabanas Beach and Nature and Thank you so much for the beautiful gift of your finist red wine that was sweet of the team x

Martha Hale

Very beautiful property, nice rooms, excellent shower, food was plentiful and wide variety. Staff are definitely efficient. Price is right for a holiday with lots of food and activities. The location requires guests to get a drive into town. This is a fine hotel if you want a pleasant holiday experience. Keep in mind it has lots of guests so buffet meals are very busy and warm personalized service is not on offer. You’d go to a luxury hotel for that experience but you’d pay more.

Maria Yacoub

AP Cabanas pleasantly surprised me with its quality and service. What we loved the most during our stay, aside from the peaceful atmosphere of the hotel, was the high-quality and diverse cuisine at the restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, it features various settings with gardens where you can relax on designer furniture. We really enjoyed the rooftop and the nighttime performances, as well as the lively bar that added so much energy to the hotel. It’s also worth mentioning the morning piano music during breakfast, the boat ride to the beach—a unique and stunning beach where we spent many happy hours—and overall, it’s definitely a hotel we want to return to. All rooms come with a balcony, the interiors are super modern, and the hotel staff is very friendly. It’s also quite easy to get there from the airport—just 30 minutes—and Tavira is only a 10-minute drive away.

Beverley Walker

Fabulous hotel. Food was lovely everyday. Fresh grilled foods at lunchtime around the pool. All of the restaurants were perfect. Some premium alcohol Gordon's Smirnoff Captain Morgans inc in all inclusive. Very clean. All of the staff were superb. Lovely spa included. Can not fault this lovely hotel.

Steve Stenhouse

Ok hotel , we only stayed BB ( breakfast was great) as we wanted to experience the area and nearby Tavira ( 5- 7euro) in Uber away . The lifts smelled everyday, I understand that minimum wage in Portugal is low , but no response to good morning, evening or anything from the cleaning team is unusual!! Even when attempting in Portuguese.. the reception team was better ..

Jill Miller

We have just returned from a 2 week holiday at Vilamoura Garden Hotel - it was sooooo lovely and we enjoyed an extremely relaxing time. The accommodation was spacious and clean, with bathrobes and free towels for the pool. The food was delicious: we were half board and every evening meal was like dining out in a fancy restaurant - top marks to the chefs for quality, taste and presentation. And the staff were brilliant, nothing was too much trouble - thanks especially to Thiago, Ines and John! This was our first trip to the Algarve and we hope to return in the future, Jill & Lee

Pierre

We had a wonderful stay at Vilarouma Garden Hotel. The atmosphere was great and the staff very pleasant and welcoming. The location is excellent — within walking distance to restaurants and golf, and the beach is only 2.5 km away with a free shuttle provided. Breakfast was generous with plenty of choices every day. The pool is small, but perfectly adequate for the size of the hotel. Our room was comfortable with very cozy beds. The only point for improvement would be the bathroom, which could use a little refresh. Overall, a very enjoyable stay!

Helen Matthews

Lovely small hotel, great if you want a quieter location, the free shuttle bus from 'The Hilton' 1 min walk away was really helpful to use for either marina or beach. Rooms lovely, staff were really helpful on any questions, free- WiFi, a variety of breakfast options & ate one evening meal here too which was amazing. Pool on the smaller side but still usable. The only downside we were on the ground floor level which was quite noisy from reception/bar/sofa area, could do with a door leading to the rooms.

Stephen Pir

Reasonable price and good for the price. Close enough to town to enjoy it and far enough away to not be disturbed by it. Good breakfast for a hotel that size. The outdoor pool was a bit disappointing, but wasn't really there for that and the indoor pool advertised was actually at another hotel and you had to pay to use it by the hour... bit cheeky really! Staff were excellent though and is where the venue shines.

Dani

We had a good stay here, the hotel is in an area with houses, away from the center but quite easy to get with an Uber. They also have a shuttle but be mindful that it (and some other services they offer) are actually at the Hilton hotel (which I'm not sure if it's far or not, but worth mentioning) The room was large and we'll maintained. The pool needs some refurbishment but it wasn't bad. A big minus from my side is the lack of vegetables in the breakfast. Probably for a longer stay the breakfast options might get a bit boring.

Sharina Williams

We stayed at this resort for almost a week. The rooms were nice and spacious and offered a kitchen. The hotel is pretty big with different things to do. The food menu for the buffet had a good selection meats, seafood, desserts and other items. And when The buffet was closed they still had a snack selection that offered pizza, burgers and hotdogs. The staff was very pleasant especially Simon and Ismael at the bar making delicious drinks. Overall it was a nice stay.

Cruises, vacations. Cruise club.

A great hotel in terms of value for money. Huge rooms with two separate areas, a kitchen, and a large balcony! The staff is very friendly. Well done!

Calum Rowley

Stayed here for a week and first family holiday abroad. We couldn't have picked a better hotel and location close to the beach and small area of shops, cafes and restaurants. The hotel itself is lovely and clean. We had a room to the rear overlooking the children's pool so was quieter. Spacious accommodation with 2 TVs, fridge/freezer, kettle etc and 2 balconies, one of which had a drying rack to use. The pools do get slightly busy but we never had an issue (3 and 6 year olds) and a staff member does remove towels from sunbeds that are not being used (there are signs to say no reserving). The food is very plentiful and while it can be similar, due to the wide choices, can have something different each night (except the apple cake which I could eat every day!). Bar is available for a choice of drinks and the sports facilities are also open for use (football goals, running track, tennis, padel, gym). Also provide alternate day trips to local towns, however we used a taxi as we didn't spend full days there. Entertainment is always on, kids loved the mini disco and reptile show where can hold the well looked after animals and have a picture. Staff look like they genuinely enjoy being there l, are very helpful whether it be in the restaurant or activities and as ever, if you're polite, it is reciprocated. Overall, a great first holiday as a family, would highly recommend and would not hesitate to return if we find a great deal

Lynn Graham

Brilliant holiday made amazing by all the fantastic staff, especially Pedro, Johnathan and Sergio in reception. Sonia catering manager went out of her way to look after my special dietary needs ( even on her day off) Barbara in catering made us laugh every meal time and at the bar,and was a complete joy. The four members of the entertainments team Marta, Jojo, Flora and Arthur were such good without being pushy. The apartment was amazing the food was excellent and we look forward to returning next year.

SHAWN VIRGO

Stayed here in September 2025, had to asked to be moved as the room had bed bugs, they didn’t want to give us another apartment but I insisted as I’d been bitten all over. The sofa bed had loads of bugs when lifted the mattresses. They even charged me to wash my cloths. €9.50, €1.50 per liquid tablet. Rooms were not cleaned to a high standard, the food was very same old from day today. The evening entertainment was short and boring. And normally next to the pool. Some evenings were chilly. The staff in the restaurant were extremely helpful. Pedro on reception was extremely helpful. The check out was at 11am, I used the public shower, this was in an old toilet cubical it was extremely dirty, the drain was blocked but they did supply a towel. This was defo not 5* more like a 2* the apartments were well decorated but stuff was broken. Lovely pool not heated. Some sunbeds were broken, and were very dirty. The spar was a nice touch but again bits were broken/missing.

Nakiesha Lawson

If you want rest, peace and quiet, this is not the hotel for you. Noisy dogs in the neighbouring houses, the walls and floors are very thin and so you can hear other guests in their rooms and along the corridors. Breakfast is basic while lunch and dinner are very questionable / inedible if your palete is very seasoned. Rooms were nice and spacious however they lacked condiments which you would expect with the calibar of hotel its meant to be. Some staff at the reception were helpful and polite. Serving staff Diogo and Jeremy were professional, attentive and patient. Cleaning staff did not pay attention to detail at all. Rooms were cleaned daily but alot of vital things were missed. Good pool facilities available and massages offered on site was good.

Olinda Smith

We have just spent 8 days in this hotel, we had a very large spacious 2 bed apartment room no 196 which had direct access to the swimming pool. The pool itself was large and spotlessly clean. All members of staff we came in contact with were very helpful during our stay and those we didn’t such as those that made up our room who did a great job I would however like to mention and thank Carla and Anderson who on the reception. They very pleasant and helpful. Vina at the bar she was always very cheerful and with the a lovely smile. Would certainly recommend and we will return again.

Pat St

Cool place to stay, nice pool and in walking distance to nearby beaches. Our room was fabulous. We didn't like the food to much though The breakfast was basic and the pizza was bellow average. But there are great restaurants in town.

Madison Lee

This place needs new beds. Continental breakfast was disappointing, coffee tasted disgusting and eggs were inedible. Room doors don’t close unless you slam them hard. You can tell this place needs a lot of work. I will say the customer service was good. The redeeming factor is the location, which was walkable to many beaches, restaurants and old town.

Will Goellner

My wife and I stayed here for a few nights in September and to describe it in 1 word, I’d say “vintage”. The hotel definitely was a great place I’d guess in the 80s or 90s but it now seems like it’s frozen in time. That does add a bit of a charm and nostalgic factor but at the same time is a little lackluster. The staff was all very nice at the front. We checked in, but once we got to our room the AC wasn’t working. We told the staff and they sent a technician to go look. He said that it was an internal issue and that they wouldn’t be able to fix it. There was 1 room open and they did offer it. While it had a working AC, my wife and I still preferred our room and since it was on the third floor, the window being open let in a nice breeze. The two biggest issues of this hotel is: 1. The layout. It’s like a maze trying to navigate anywhere that’s not right near the check in desk. You’ll go up down left right and still have no clue where you are. 2. The restaurant. We didn’t eat much of the free breakfast besides some pastries, and we had lunch upon arrival which was okay, but the dinner is not worth the price. The food is 100% microwaved. I got a steak that was still very very rare on the inside, and my wife got a lasagna that had no beef and could tell that it had just come out of the microwave with how hot the bowl was all around, and with the cheese being melted straight onto the bowl like a microwave does. There’s a lot of different restaurants nearby, so I’d just go eat at one of those instead of the restaurant on property

Michael Carrasco

Great hotel with excellent location to the town centre with its restaurants etc. Breakfast was great with a wide selection. My only criticism is that people using the pool area disappear for a few hours leaving their towels on the loungers thus preventing other guests that arrive to have a lounger. Some hotels that I have stayed in have started adopting a system where the lifeguard makes sure that people leaving, take their belongings there allowing other guests to take advantage of the loungers. If they don't return within a set time their stuff is put to the side allowing guests to use the lounge.

Gemma Murray

Back from a fabulous week in Tavira staying at the Maria Nove Lounge. I would highly recommend this beautiful hotel. Beautiful clean and modern rooms. The pool is beautiful and the pool bar has a great celebration of beers, ciders and cocktails. We went to the roof top bar a couple of nights and the staff were so friendly and attentive. Try the frozen margarita delicious! Breakfast is lovely with a wide collection of options. Although we missed our welcome drink to the hotel but were kindly gifted a bottle of wine after our stay! This holiday was one to remember and the team and Maria Nova have contributed to our wonderful holiday.

Katie

We stayed for 10 nights with EasyJet Holidays on a B&B basis. The location is excellent, right in the centre of Tavira. Breakfast offered plenty of choice, though it would benefit from a daily refresh as the options became repetitive. The towel system works well, with a €10 deposit per towel and daily exchanges available. Hairdryer in room works well. We found it easier to buy bottled water from a nearby shop and store it in the fridge, as the pool bar price of €3.50 per bottle felt expensive. On arrival, we were welcomed with a glass of wine and luggage storage, and the reception area gave a very good first impression with its modern design. Unfortunately, this standard was not reflected in the pool facilities or our room. The pool area could be better maintained. Pigeons often landed nearby and even in the pool, and the unused pool bar had visible mess that needed cleaning. The flooring showed weeds growing between the slabs, with cigarette ends left behind sunbeds. The smaller pool needed attention, and many sunbeds and parasols were worn and difficult to use. The parasols in particular were very heavy and awkward to move, which made it less relaxing than expected. The pigeons did not make me want to enjoy the pool facilities. Our room had several issues, though these were addressed after speaking with the manager. On the first night, the power cut out and the emergency light came on at 3am, following an earlier disturbance from the recycling van at 1am. Rooms at the front corner of the hotel are especially affected by this noise. In the bathroom, we found mould in the shower and limescale in the toilet. The balcony door did not lock on arrival, but this was repaired once reported, although the door itself still appeared in need of further attention. The mattress was very firm, which made it difficult to sleep comfortably, and we also found ants under the bed, highlighting that the floor had not been thoroughly cleaned. Once removed, the ants did not return. TV remote never ever been cleaned by the looks of it. Overall, the hotel benefits from an excellent location and a welcoming reception area, but maintenance and consistency across facilities let it down. With improvements, it has the potential to be a much more enjoyable stay, but as it stands, it did not live up to its advertised 4 star standard and I have no doubt there are more enjoyable, well-maintained hotels in the area.

luke (Luke blues)

The hotel is generally good. The main areas are clean and spacious. Our room on the 3rd floor was cleaned daily, fresh towels every day & the bed changed once in 11 nights. The aircon in the rooms works great. Providing a nice cool down after a long hot day. The pool area is very chilled. Just what we were looking for. However the area could do with some TLC. Walls are flaking, the smaller of the pools didn't look too inviting on a few occasions. The swim up pool bar closed (looks like for good) . We never had a problem getting sun beds or shade when needed. You just have to move beds around. The breakfast was ok. The main issue seemed to be if you arrived after 9.40/45 they didn't always replenish everything. I get that it's a cost issue... however the fruit, breads etc were often mostly gone by 10 & didn't always get refilled. But a minor issue as there was plenty of choice. The roof top bar is a treat. Nice views and the entertainment was just about right. The staff all work super hard and are helpful throughout. The location was fine for us, however anyone with mobility issues might struggle to get up & down into the town. The streets are very narrow and cars are quite close when passing. We had some great meals out... but found we had to book the best ones (based on Google reviews & trip advisor) The gym is a little too small and opens too late (for an early bird like me) but there are some nice running routes to make up for that. Unfortunately our friends who stayed on the second floor didn't experience the same as us in terms of the room & cleanliness... they had issues with their door not working properly, the room not cleaned every day & a few oddities that I know they will review themselves. Which would mean they probably wouldn't stay again... Overall I would stay again... but only if I could be guaranteed the same room/floor & level of cleanliness etc

Ed

Just returned from a 4 day stay at this hotel. Pros - Hotel conveniently located just up a slight hill from the river and main town centre. - Staff were all super friendly, polite and helpful. - Rooms were small and basic but perfectly fine. Shower worked well. - Outdoor main swimming pool was lovely and clean and the temperature was perfect. - Breakfast was great, lots of options and well stocked. The pianist was a lovely touch. -Nomad bar was great in terms of service, food and quality and has lovely views over Tavira. Cons - Gym was quite small (if you're into the gym) - Pool bar food was ok, nothing special. - Sunbeds could do with an update. - Pillows were too soft and lumpy. NB - There is a small building site opposite the hotel which wasn't overly bothersome to be honest. The hotel had made a note of this on their website however, I booked through Booking.com and wasn't aware of this until we arrived.

Ryu

We loved this hotel. The best bits are the room and the pool. The rooms are large, well equipped, clean and very comfortable. There are lots of beds around the pool, a good bar and clean toilets. The entertainment is a bit cringy but good spirited and fun. The whole hotel was so well presented, well equipped and beautiful trees, vines and plants the extend up the atrium from the basement from the 3rd floor. Highly recommend this hotel.

Bryan

We had a great holiday at Villa Petra. The hotel is pleasant and very clean – housekeeping does an excellent job keeping everything spotless, and hygiene is well taken care of. The rooms are nicely furnished, and the kitchen has all the essentials you need. The only downside is that it can be a bit noisy at times. Overall, the facilities are good and as expected, but with a few points for improvement: the drink prices at the pool are unnecessarily high (for example, €4.50 for apple juice & €7,50 for a basic smoothie) which makes you walk for 40 meters to the nearby mini market just outside the hotel, the animation could be more varied and engaging for guests, and the breakfast could use more variety. All in all, a fine place to spend your holiday, conveniently located just behind the Strip.

Lynne Mellar

A good holiday but only because of the family we travelled with. This is NOT a family hotel. And absolutely not worth the money. Lots of noise. Stag and Hen groups. Very much in need of refurbishment. Some wonderful staff in the pool, green bar. One very rude member of staff in the Stone Restaurant. In fact, our group of 6 walked out because of his attitude. Older guy. Does the business no favours at all. It's our fault to book at the top end of The Strip. Should have researched better. Overall, I don't recommend it if you are a family. Or a couple wanting a relaxing break.

kate wild

Just came back from a week's stay and this has to be one of the nicest places we have stayed. All the staff from the cleaners to the reception team were so friendly and helpful. We had a two bedroom apartment and were self catering but did eat in the restaurant once which was lovely. We had no issues getting loungers by the pool at anytime of the day, but that could be due to the time of year and my son loved the multi purpose pitch.

Simon

We recently stayed at the Vila Petra hotel for just under two weeks and had a really great time! We were initially welcomed by very friendly staff on arrival, and always greeted with a smile when needing anything like a taxi. This is an exceptionally clean hotel! Apartment, general areas, pool, grounds, etc all immaculate with staff cleaning regularly. Room dressed down every day for us with fresh linen/towels. The hotel over all is very well presented. Apartment very well equipped with a modern kitchen and Bosch appliances, inc full oven! Comfy beds and excellent remote controlled AC. Good size balcony with lovely views if higher up and are facing poolside. Pool very clean, clear water (even by end of the day). Loads of loungers (always got one) with umbrellas and tables. Gentle steps at the shallow end. Pool and terrace bars are good, drinks/icecream a touch expensive but food reasonable and very nice. Can eat poolside if you like. Superb pina colladas! Great little gym, small but well enough equipped and multisports pitch (which needs a little TLC). €7 taxi ride away from the main 'old town' or 25min walk. Loads of supermarkets and large Aldi nearby, including on-site mini mart (well priced). It is close to the northern end of the strip, so expect some noise, but honestly was fine overall. We did experience some noise on one particular night by other younger guests being disrespectful, but a call to the hotel reception resolved this very promptly with immediate staff intervention. Great evening entertainment on the terrace bar and also around the pool if you wish to join in the activities (a nice surprise and added to the holiday). Summary: We had a great time! We enjoyed the apartment, loved the pool, and loved the hotel. I think for the price, quality, cleanliness, and friendly staff, the hotel really is great. Just be mindful of the proximity to the strip. If we were to stay in Albufeira again, we'd not hesitate to look at choosing Vila Petra once more as it's got it all and we had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday!

Brian

Ideally situated for a short walk into the main tourist area, or take the land train which stops outside. For those needing fast food, McDonalds and KFC are across the road. The rooms and hotel is spotless, the food is out of this world for choice and quality. The staff...what can I say except they really make the whole stay so enjoyable with there friendly approach and helpfulness. This is our 2nd time staying here and recommend it highly.

Kathryn

My husband and I just spent 5 nights here while in Albufeira for a wedding. The hotel is in a great location, the staff were friendly and helpful. The pool was great, never any issue getting a sun lounger. The breakfast was good quality and lots of options. The beds were comfortable and the rooms were clean and functional. We hope to return again with our kids we had such a good experience.

Peter Lusinde

Excellent hotel with amazing and friendly staff. We really enjoyed our stay, staff were very helpful. Hotel is located between the old town which is 5 minutes walk and the new town of Albufeira towards the strip which also a walking distance. You get to enjoy both areas. There are entertainment every night at the hotel. Hotel is not noisy at all, even with the nightly entertainment which starts at 9pm until 11pm. Breakfast and dinner are lovely and very tasty. Rooms are clean and spacious, with balcony overlooking the pool and the ocean at the distance. I highly recommend this place, you won't regret it. We will definitely return there in the future.

Loreine Ali

We stayed at Vila Gale Cerro Alagoa for 10 nights in August. We had a lovely time. The hotel is in a good location. It’s near the shops and about 10mins walk down to the beach. The food was excellent! There is a themed menu every night. We particularly liked the Cuban and the Seafood night. Breakfast can get very busy. My child with food allergies was well catered for as they have the grill for meats and fish too. The chefs have been helpful when asked about allergens in each dish. An allergen card would have solved this. The staff were great. The room was clean but could do with a deep clean from time to time, has enough space for the 3 of us, the decor a bit outdated, the beds and pillows were comfortable. There is a fridge and safe. There is a small balcony, however it lacks privacy as it is too close to the other balconies. There was evening entertainment but isn’t much. There is a small play area for the children. Good sized pool. Overall, it was a good holiday and we would go back again.

Keri Roblin

Lovely hotel with lovely staff. We went B&B only, but the breakfast buffet was excellent. Everything from fresh fruit up to a traditional fry-up. Everyone was catered for. The hotel was spotless, including pool and bar areas. Very convenient location for walking into the Old Town, or down to the zoo known as 'The Strip'! A tourist train stops outside if you don't fancy a walk. Plenty of local restaurants and fast-food places nearby also. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here.

Sarah

We went on a Sunday and there was a huge queue in but it moved surprisingly fast. The queues to some rides were large but we rotated between rides to avoid the busy periods on the more popular rides. It was a great day and the rides were definitely worth the trip. The only downfall was the food we had, avoid the hotdogs 😅

Cheryl KC

Several large, top-attraction water slides. Plenty of grass areas for sun bathing and picnicking. Coolers, chairs, and umbrellas are allowed. There are several food courts throughout with very reasonably priced food. Locker rental is available in the gift shop.

Solsbury

Spacious and clean waterpark with lots of slides for all levels, plus a few classic attractions. Convenient shop for swimsuits and flip-flops, and a food court with some healthy options. Despite the crowds, it’s possible to find a spot on the grass to relax. Great kids’ water playgrounds! The Watercoaster is a must-try (we skipped the terrifying Flash Coaster 😅). Only downside: long lines for some rides.

Angelica Racovita

Fantastic experience, booked tickets in advance for a cheaper price, everything was clean, didn't have to wait long for the slides, staff were really nice and patient, spacious everywhere. Loads of fun! Well worth every penny

Tom

we went on a Sunday towards the end of September and it was almost empty a couple of the rides were closed but it was epic, there was max 10m wait for rides but honestly almost everything was no wait the main flash coaster was crazy and there was never sny wait for that, highlight of the day though was the lazy river which you can pretty much just ride endlessly if you get a 2 person inflatable donut, the 1 person ones you have to get out and give to people who want to ride the slide, also you dont really need to buy a €5 locker which is cash only, you can just leave your bags anywhere on the grass or find a quiet bit or bush to stash them if you're worried about stuff being stolen

Catarina Sousa Lopes

Stayed at PortoBay Falésia for 3 days and had great experience. My room was spacious, featuring a balcony with an incredible sea view. I also appreciated the quality Rituals amenities, which added a nice touch of luxury. The hotel has excellent direct access to the beach, making it easy to enjoy the stunning coastline. Breakfast was very good, with a wide selection of options to suit different tastes. There’s also an indoor pool and a well-equipped gym for those who want to stay active. The outdoor pool area and gardens are beautifully maintained, with plenty of sun loungers. I also had a great experience at the Italian restaurant on-site — delicious food and a pleasant atmosphere and views. Overall, a great stay in a beautiful and peaceful location. Highly recommended!

Caroline McCarthy

This hotel is located in a great location with fantastic views over the coastline. Reception and general areas are well presented. Bedroom was slightly dated and in need of some attention, but very functional with safe and toiletries provided. Rooms either face the coast or inland directly over parking, and were serviced every day. Buffet breakfast was plentiful but felt a bit samey after 7 days, we had the Buffet dinner one evening but I can't say that it was value for money @ €33pp and I'm glad we ventured out in the evenings for food instead. Il Bascilico bar restaurant was good for getting drinks or a snack during the day. Some staff were very friendly, some others not so much. There were plenty of sunbeds around for guests even despite other guests reserving beds before 8am. What is really lovely about this place is there are a couple of seating areas that max the views if you want to get away from the pool. Would recommend a stay for the location.

A

We stayed at this hotel in Sept 2025. The rooms we can't fault, they're immaculate and cleaned every day to a great standard. The restaurant is by far the best thing about this place, every day morning and evening there was a large selection of different foods laid on, all freshly cooked and well presented. Well done to the chefs and the watiing team 👏👏👏 The staff were lovely here and all helpful, thankyou to you all. Only a few small dissapointments and we know is likely stated on the booking, is that we couldn't go to our apartment until 4pm. Arriving at midday we hoped to get to our room, nap and settle before utlaising out 4 days there but we had to stay close so we could get out apartment (we were told we had to wait until it was cleaned before being given then keys....bang on 4pm it was available 😂 ! pretty sure we could have been put somewhere before 4pm. Also sorry there is a load of construction out back for a new building....so other people booking are aware ! Oh and 220+ steps is what it takes to get down/up to/from the beach so you're also aware. To finish on a good note, the pool staff need commended for their work, they work hard every day to keep it clean and in tip top condition for residents 👏👏👏 All in all a lovely hotel ! Update @ 1546UTC 20th Sept 2025 - Deborah, 2pm checkin to the rooms is incorrect. We, along with about 3 or 4 other couples, were waiting in the Hotel seating area for hours before we were given our rooms ! Absolutely no way were we given the chance of 2pm at all....otherwise we wouldnt have sat sweating in the seating area for 4 hours ! Bit dissapointed you've said this 1) After a good review and 2) When we, and others, know 2pm is not correct....and if 2pm IS correct....we'll be raising a complaint !

MKTiger

Lots to like. No problems getting a sunbed around the lovely clean big pool. Beach was down the 100-odd steps if you wanted to go down there Hotel was clean; air con was great; friendly staff. Breakfast choice was excellent, and lots of space in the restaurant. Music at night was varied and not too loud. Near enough (10 mins walk) to the shops and restaurants, but far enough away for there to be no noise or hassle. Lots of facilties; gym, tennis, pool, bars etc. No issues whatsoever. Would stay there again.

Peter Zimmermann

First impressions are everything which this hotel fell short on. Booked a suite with sea view 8 months in advance for 5 nights in August for family vacation to be given room on first floor next to elevator. Apparently all suites are next to the elevator. We would have booked differently if we had known that. We asked for a different room but was met with questions about how many times we have stayed previously. Being our first time it was instantly clear they weren't interested and reserve this room for newcomers. Once in the room the AC doesn't work and they can't figure it out so now we have fans instead, in August! It is hot and fans are loud. Foot traffic from elevator is noisy. Smoke alarms flash very bright every few minutes which in a dark room is like a strobe light. Nobody can sleep and we instantly regret booking this hotel. Public areas like reception and halls need updating. Breakfast and dinner buffet is just okay. Nothing special. Ramp to paid parking is a nightmare which they don't mention and apparently is where staff takes their smoke breaks which is a bit awkward. They also make you decide how many days you will be using the parking on the spot. We only ended up using it 3 of the 5 nights. Location to one of the best beaches with views of cliffs is excellent.

Richard Wilson

Our first impressions of the Vila Galé hotel were that the reception area and lounge were very dated and in need of a refurb. The floor tiles were comprised of alternating orange and black-streaked white marble effect squares, and the furniture was a mix of dated chairs and tables and black sofas. The receptionist was very friendly and gave us an early check in. We never had to wait too long for either of the two lifts. Both had the unusual habit of bumping twice before opening. The upstairs carpets really did need to be ripped out and replaced, as they were very old and well trodden. Our junior suite was really spacious and consisted of two separate bedrooms; one with two single beds and the other with one large double. The configuration of the bathroom was rather odd, with the door opening no more than about 50 degrees before hitting a stopper that prevented it from slamming into the toilet. Two issues in the room that did surprise us were firstly, the lack of any coffee making facilities and secondly, the small complimentary bottle of water that wasn't replenished on subsequent days. We asked at reception for a kettle etc. and one duly arrived in our room a few hours later, along with coffee, tea and a couple of single cup-size milks. As was the case with the water, the coffee and milk were not replenished after the first day. Rather irritatingly, the two TVs in our rooms turned on everytime we returned and inserted our room key into the power switch, meaning that we were constantly turning them off. On the plus side, the large double bed was very comfortable, and the two airconditioning units worked really well. Another big plus was the large balcony that faced the marina and we were able to watch a couple of really nice sunsets. The breakfast area was quite sizeable and open for more than 4 hours, so we didn't have to queue to get in. There was a wide choice of fruits, yoghurts, juices, cheeses, meats, bacon, mushrooms etc. and the egg station was manned by a very capable chef who made very nice omelettes and other egg dishes. While the hotel wasn't actually located on the marina front, it was only a couple of minutes away on foot and we could see some of it from our room, partly obstructed by various buildings between the hotel and the waters edge. Apart from some of the niggles mentioned above, overall we were happy with our stay, and the hotel is well positioned in terms of the restaurants, bars and shops. It was certainly a hit with the golfers who comprised most of the hotel's customers when we visited in October.

O B

It’s okay… depends what you’re looking for. If you want a reasonably priced hotel, somewhere to sleep with a pool and a bar you’re sorted. If you’re looking for a modern, spacious, quiet and peaceful experience look elsewhere. The hotel still looks as it was when built in the package holiday era of the 90’s. Everything is cream, wooden doors that are starting to fray, bathroom that getting tired. Breakfast is average, decent selection but you can taste it’s not the best quality stuff. Pool is a pool, not massive, plenty of sun loungers, the odd selfish reserving towels. Loud music from 9:30-18:00 ish. Can hear most of the road noise from the rooms, not well insulated. As I said, depends what you want. We just used it as a base to attend a local wedding so it did the job without many frills.

James Brosnan

This is a nice hotel. The place is generally busy. Nice gym and pools one indoor which is great. Staff are helpful but had an issue with room service. Breakfast was just okay. Rooms are average, I did ask for a double bed but didn't get it.

Martin Smith

Stayed here a few nights and it was very comfortable and easy to navigate. Staff were super nice too. My only complaints were that they blast music all day, so don't plan on napping, and that the entrance is a little dangerous feeling at night. it's basically an alley on either side of the hotel to walk to the entrance from the Marina. I'm sure they're trying to minimize the foot traffic from the marina bars and clubs, but it felt a little sketchy to walk on foot into the building after dark (and the only alternative is a dark park to walk through instead). I'd love to enter the hotel on a real sidewalk and not just a dark alley. Otherwise, was a great stay. I'd stay here again, if I found a great deal.

Aneliya Dagneva

Very dated facilities, with big rooms and nice view but there was terrible smell coming from bathroom all the time. Also you have to wait forever for room to be cleaned, basically till 5pm. No option for late check out so had to stay in reception area for 5 hours. Most of the staff is incredibly rude, especially the guy from the reception. We had been given room on the 8th floor, however during our 7 night stay elevator was out of order several times.Location is good, very close to the Marina, but if you desire good night sleep it is impossible as it is extremely loud all day- all night. Definitely will not stay again!!!

Kaur Kang

Review of a Disappointing First Day at NAU Salgados Palm Village, Albufeira Our first day at NAU Salgados Palm Village has been a major disappointment, to say the least. We are a family of 16, including several children who were excited for a relaxing and fun holiday. Sadly, it’s been anything but. Restaurant Reservations & Dining One of our biggest frustrations has been the dining arrangements. We were told reservations were needed for every meal! As we are such a large group this means 6 bookings three times a day! They had no interest in assisting with this process! When we finally got seated, they wouldn’t even accommodate our group together, forcing us to sit at separate tables. The lack of proper signage on the food (we are vegetarian/ allergies) and staff not knowing themselves has meant we have had to have be cautious and eat very little. Amenities Misleading The photos and information provided about the hotel were incredibly misleading. We expected facilities like a pool room, an arcade, a spa, and an indoor swimming pool, as clearly shown in the promotional materials. None of these were present! This was especially disappointing for the kids, who were eager to swim, but discovered there wasn’t even an indoor pool. Why are they showing photos of amenities they don’t have!!! Apparently it’s because their sister hotel (a 15 minute drive away) has them, at an extra cost! No Common Area or Lobby There is also nowhere to sit indoors. We were surprised to find there’s no proper lobby or communal space inside the hotel where our group could relax together. It’s bizarre that a hotel of this size and standard lacks basic indoor areas to gather. Live Entertainment Not As Expected We were looking forward to concerts and live entertainment, which seemed to be a highlight of the hotel. However, there is no information given On entertainment and it is not of a standard to match a 4star hotel! Shuttle Service Issues Adding to the frustration, there was no clear information provided about the shuttle service. We expected to be able to explore the area more easily, but the hotel failed to provide any guidance on how to access the shuttle. Nightmare Check-In The experience started on the wrong foot with a chaotic and poorly managed check-in process. The staff seemed overwhelmed, and it took far longer than expected to get settled. Overall, our group—especially the kids—are hugely disappointed with the first day here. We will be meeting with the manager tomorrow to discuss these issues, and we’re hoping she can still turn things around and salvage what’s left of our holiday. Right now, this has been far from the experience we were promised and expected. Would not give them even 1 star, 0 star review from us!!!

Martyn Taylor

Unbelievable hotel! The layout and ground are amazing and the room (2 adults 3 kids) was absolutely massive! The balcony is the full length and almost a waste given how big! The food and service was 2nd to none and a nice touch i have not seen elsewhere is the full list of cocktails kids can have but obviously without the alcohol.

Christian Adindu

Can do with an upgrade to the rooms, they probably were great many years ago but definitely dated now. Toilets and bathroom need better cleaning. Food was very good and there pools great. Located closer to the beach. The hotel is quite safe... Kudos. But that feeling of safety disappears once you step away from the hotel into town. They may want to increase the number of English speakers at the hotel restaurant.. Otherwise the food was great.

Traceyggpw Richardson

Beautiful place, lovely relaxed hotel. We had a 2 bed 2 bathroom room... it was massive, plenty of storage space. Huge balcony. Staff were pleasant and helpful. Free train to the beach. No shops around so we got a taxi into the Old Town. €16. Food was lovely, sometimes not very hot but when you have so many ppl to cater for its not always possible but there are microwaves if you need to use them. You do have to go online and book a table and a time for your meals. I would recommend and definitely return.

Dawn Thankachan

Pros: This resort is great especially considering it's only rated as a 4 star! Good value for money. Food was amazing throughout the week. There is isn't a lot of food choices but this meant all the food was tasty. There were wood fire pizzas and barbeques were actual on top of coal. All the rooms were clean, spacious and housekeeping was good. Lots of swimming pool so it didn't feel crowded which was great. Lots of choices of drinks, and all were mostly nice although sometimes inconsistent, Cons Limited number of staff, it would be great to have more staff around the place. In the dining rooms was enough, but would be good to have more staff around the place. Idea of reserving table is inconvenient because it's neant to be a relaxing holiday, not spending time reserving as you may not always know when you might be feeling hungry. Having said that, whenever we forgot, no issues getting table 20€ deposit for towel is a bit too much Beach is around 20 mins away and at night, there is no light on the path.

David Perkin

Hotel was ideal for our group of 4 golfers. The hotel was well situated close to bars and restaurants. The hotel itself was clean and well kept. The pool area was clean and tidy with plenty of loungers. Breakfast buffet was well stock with loads of selection from cooked breakfast, fresh fruit, cereal and pastries. The only negative was that our room was not ready to check into at 2:00pm as was agreed. However this was not the end of the world and the hotel provided us with some drinks tokens as a good will gesture. But overall we all had a good stay.

Dominic Saul

Booked the hotel as part of a golf package. Great transfers from the hotel to the Dom Pedro golf courses, which were 10-15 minutes away. The hotel room was clean and comfortable. The location of the hotel was good for access to the Marina area and the beach. The pool was a good size with plenty of room around it with enough sun loungers that it was easy to find a space. Good bar to service the pool area. Very happy overall and would definitely use the hotel again for another trip.

Keith

From the moment we arrived the staff were helpful. Nothing was too much trouble, even opening the gym up early for me each morning. The rooms were clean and tidy and cleaned each day without any fuss. The location of the pool to the hotel amenities was perfect and the gym well sited next to the pool. The long and sandy beach is really close, no more than a 2-3 minute stroll and from there a stroll along the beach front to the lively Marina - for more shopping! Looking forward to returning next year. Thank you for a great stay.

Nick Garavini

This was our second visit to this hotel, the first being for our honeymoon in 1999. Whilst the rooms are somewhat dated (still some of the same room and bathroom fittings from when we first visited) this should not detract from what is a wonderfully located and appointed hotel. Firstly, all of the staff were attentive and friendly and nothing was too much trouble. When they found out it was our silver anniversary visit, we received a surprise bottle of fizz and chocolate covered strawberries. A really nice gesture. The best aspect of this hotel is the gardens to the rear. Plenty of space for both sun seekers and those preferring the shade. Always enough sun loungers and thankfully no early morning rush to reserve beds is necessary. Location wise, this place is perfectly situated. Close to the beach and marina but far enough that you can't hear the music etc. From the late night bars. Breakfast offering was excellent with something for every taste.

Sarah-Jane Lewis

We enjoyed our 5 night stay. The location of the hotel is convenient - short walk to the beach and harbour, with a convenience store close by. We enjoyed the pool and surrounding area. The pool bar was fairly priced. The hotel was well staffed and staff were polite and helpful. There was a nice view of the beach from our room. Towels for the beach and pool are given to guests which is helpful. The gym didn't open until 10.30am, it would be nice to use the gym in the morning from 7am before it gets hot (even if it is a very small gym). The breakfast area gets very busy in the morning after 9am. The TV in our room worked intermittently. We experienced a leak from the air con in our wardrobe. Luckily it did not ruin our clothes as we noticed it straight away during the night. This was tended to straight away in the morning by the hotel which was good. There were some activities such as aqua Zumba and yoga which were great, it would be good if the hotel promoted these when booking and on arrival. Overall we enjoyed our stay.

Victor Rosie

Just back from a 10 day stay in this hotel Had a few teething problems initially that were sorted out quickly by very efficient and friendly staff The hotel itself is in a good location with bars and restaurants nearby and a very good Chinese just across the road. 10min walk to the strip, and a 20min walk to the old town The hotel itself has a lovely pool and pool bar which also serves food Literally the only minus points were, no clothes dryer on the balcony, no net curtains for privacy, and our bedding wasn't changed during our stay Would definitely stay here again though 👍

DrowzOnly

Nice hotel, nice rooms but furniture outdated could be better same with appliances. The hotel has two pools outside, restaurant, mini golf and poolside bar. It’s very close to the strip and not far from the old town either. Staff were very friendly and polite and helpful when I lost my key card.

canadianmortgagefinders

Rooms are old and outdated. Was told we would get a queen bed, arrived to find out they pushed two single beds together. Not an acceptable option for newlyweds. Prices at the pool bar were for beer were 6E compared to 3.5E at most local restaurants. Only one restaurant open and breakfast only. No ice machines, you have to go to the pool bar, and it has limited opening hours.

Alex Gibson

Decent but very outdated hotel. Needs a lot of renovations. Room has basics needed but quite worn out. Wifi basically never worked. A lot of groups of young people (quite rowdy at time) drinking alcohol in pool (including kids pool).Well located and easy parking. Friendly staff.

Ann Byrne

Had the best time staff fantastic deago at the pool bar was my favourite 😍 thank you for a brilliant time I'll definitely be back 😀

Tracey lee

Mixed review of this hotel , lovely surroundings, clean bedrooms with great views of pool and sea , food very average , the 2 restaurants you have to book were very hard to get a booking for as when we tried they said they were fully booked , we were a family of 8 so decided that only 4 of us would go as they said they had a table for 4 , but in the restaurants there were numerous empty tables whilst we were there , the food wasn’t nice anyway so definitely didn’t try and book for another night for the other 4 of our family members , the entertainment staff were very nice and friendly , where as on the other hand the girls on reception were very unfriendly and unhelpful with sour moody faces , when we asked one of them if we could keep the room for longer as our flight was late , she just said no and that was it , I asked why and she said fully booked without even checking her computer! Understand they might not have had a room but it was the way she communicated it with me , this hotel is rated 5 star but definitely not , a very strange smell on the floor of our hotel room aswell , won’t be returning to this hotel again

jacqui townsend

Well as the saying goes “don’t listen to everything you read” & thankfully I didn’t . I am just back from a fabulous 5 night stay in the Pestana Blue Alvor. This is a very well run hotel & the staff are fantastic, so friendly & helpful. The selection of food was super, we chose to eat out in the town of Alvor at night as that’s what we like to do but breakfast, lunch , snack bar have a plentiful selection. And there is 3 restaurants you can book on arrival, other people we met said they were great. You could drink to your hearts content & it was the proper brands we are used to not local spirits. The lifts that I read people moaned about ? It was simple, you put the number of your floor into the keypad & scan your room card & the lift would take you there , how hard is that ? Rooms were cleaned everyday & were spotless , again people marked them down , absolute rubbish. We had a spacious room with sea views, it was fabulous. Bubbles Bar was great, it opened at 6pm till late ( people moaned it should be opened earlier? ) Why ? You walk downstairs & can drink the bar if you want. There was entertainment there every night. The pool was amazing , loads of beds & umbrellas . Maybe it’s not 5 star as we know it but it’s a very welcoming hotel & I thought it was value for money. I can’t vouch for high season which I would never go at that time but I was delighted with my stay

Heather Kim

We spent three nights at Pestana Blue Alvor Beach, and overall it was a truly enjoyable stay. The hotel’s location is ideal — just a short walk from the beautiful beach — and the facilities were excellent. The pool areas were pristine, the food and bar offerings were impressive, and the room itself was spacious, modern, and immaculately kept. The team at the main restaurant on the ground floor deserve particular praise; the staff and managers there were consistently warm, attentive, and genuinely kind, which made every meal a pleasure. However, I did experience a rather disappointing interaction at reception regarding a request for towels. Although we had simply used the ones provided in the room, the response I received was unexpectedly curt and delivered in a visibly irritated manner. The situation could easily have been handled with more courtesy and professionalism. In addition, one of the servers at the Italian restaurant greeted us with “Ni hao” — presumably in an attempt to be friendly — but such comments can come across as culturally insensitive. Having travelled widely and stayed in many five-star properties, this was the first time I felt a lapse in service quality of this kind. It’s a beautiful resort with great potential and many wonderful staff members; however, a few individuals would benefit from further training in guest relations and cultural awareness to truly match the five-star standard the hotel aspires to.

Leolie Leaver

Lovely hotel in a beautiful location. As a couple looking for a luxury holiday, we found the hotel too ‘busy’ and noisy. It is well built for families with children looking to have a good time but it didn’t give off the full relaxing vibe of a 5 star holiday for us. The relax pool is right next to the kids pool and games courts which meant it too was noisy. The room itself was great although the bed was a little hard, it was peaceful if you keep the door shut and we had a lovely sea view off the balcony. It was just a 5min walk to the beach which was slightly more peaceful and alvor town wasn’t too far to walk too either. The main acqua cafe was also a little chaotic and felt more like a canteen, the variety of food was good. The staff were all very friendly, and all spoke excellent English.

Carol Slingsby

Here 4 months ago and was very disappointed in the quality of the hotel. When you book a 5star hotel you expect a certain amount of luxury in the hotel but you don't get it here. The hotel is old, rooms small and basic, no drawer unit for your undies and shorts or table to put stuff on, just a hanging rail with a shelf above, a TV on a stand close to the corner of the bed, small bedside table each, & 1 chair. Corridor decor is old & just one step up from wood chip. The hotel WC's outside the restaurant were old, scruffy, not well cleaned, with cracked tiles & old screw holes. Definitely not what you expect from a supposedly 5* hotel, I've stayed in far better quality 3* Travelodges in UK. Food 1st week wasn't very good, but the 2nd week there were far more Portuguese staying & there was a distinct improvement to the food type and quality. Pool too cold for me to use, and used cups left littering the floor for ages. Strong afternoon winds sometimes blowing sun beds into the pool & brollies sent flying. I half expected someone to get skewered by one. Poolside entertainment poor, one game was a homemade top hat with cotton wool and glitter glued on with a plastic cup stuck on top & a ball on string to try to get the ball in the cup. Another game was a pole with foam sellotaped around each end and you had to try to catch it as the staff let it go. I joined in a stretching/exercise class once & it lasted all of 5 mins. There's tennis, mini golf, occasional darts & archery, a small stage near the pool that sometimes has rubbish entertainment on it, an evening entertainment room where some decent kids shows are put on, & adults bar area and stage, which I suspect are the main reason for the 5* rating, as it's definitely not for the quality of the hotel. There's a path down to a lovely beach with some beach restaurants, & a boardwalk into town which is quite a trek with only 2 short streets of tourist stuff. Not much else around other than hotels, houses & apartments.

Kate Long

Lovely hotel with excellent food and great staff. It's clean and well organised with plenty of outdoor space and sun loungers. Two good sized pools plus smaller kids paddling pools. 10min walk to two beautiful beaches - a tip is to walk through the tunnel to the quieter beach. Highly recommend. We visited for a week at end of September.

Funda Ozdil

I’m currently staying at this hotel it’s not bad at all but it could be better. Firstly it doesn’t have many options for eating and drinking. Food could be much better and they could have had more options and the cocktails are made very carelessly. They have a sky garden which has a very nice concept and the drinks are nice but even it was all inclusive we had to pay 19 pounds for a day pass.Secondly the coffee machine in the restaurant is very bad I wanted a Americano it was disgusting. But the coffee in the lobby bar was not bad.Overall the staff was friendly and the hotel was clean. It’s suitable for families with children

Graeme Lynch

We are just back from 10 days staying in this amazing hotel. We booked based on the amazing reviews and it did not disappoint. I think the only thing I would rate down is the theatre so let's get that out the way. The pillars in here are a bit of a nightmare so unless you get the right seat it's difficult to see the stage. Now the good stuff, everything else. The hotel is massive, there's so much going on. The rooms are very well maintained, cleaned every day unless you pop the do not disturb sign on, and you are provided a bottle of water to refill every day. There are a few swimming pools, and we mainly spent time at the entertainment pool. Here there were 3 water slides, a large swimming pool and the kids splash park. We were always able to find sunbeds (yes there were the typical sunbed reservers in the morning but we always managed to get the beds we wanted after breakfast). Speaking of breakfast the food was brilliant, themed nights meant it was never samey. There were plenty of tables to sit at, of different sizes. As part of our stay we were entitled to a meal at the Asian restaurant which was enjoyable. The snack bar served great food se well. So much still to mention, the excellent VR area, the mini disco, the location to a nearby beach, the bar. Then on certain days they had birds of prey or reptiles that you could take pictures with. If you haven't guessed already I highly recommend this place.

Ste H

The hotel is absolutely spotless! The cleaning team are constantly keeping all the areas pristine. The rooms are really nice, bathroom is very modern and smart and Shower is very powerful. The swimming pool is also really clean as are the slides. Great kids play/splash area with smaller slides for the little ones. Life guards constantly keeping a watch over the pool! The kids entertainment is great and has trampolines, castles and games. The staff are very polite and friendly. Just a 5 min walk from the beach and there’s a little land train right outside the hotel for travelling into the nearest town. We are half way through our holiday and would definitely recommend this hotel. 5 stars from us 👍🏻

Nicolò Radice

The buffet and à la carte restaurants were amazing. We loved the themed nights, especially the Asian night with squid, shrimp, and duck cooked perfectly. The 24/7 snack bar and drinks were always high quality. The Premium All-Inclusive package and Skybar made evenings really enjoyable.

Shanice Johnson

Stayed here with my family, could not fault this hotel at all. The staff are amazing and helpful. Everyday the food was great had so much variety every time. We came with 2 kids under 2 so I was very worried how the stay would be but the rooms are clean and spacious. They gave us two cots. The pool area is lovely. Definitely recommending this hotel to family and friends if they ever want to travel to Albufeira.

Elaine Farley

Excellent hotel all round. Staff friendly and always helpful. Room (suite with pool view) was exceptional, massive with kitchen containing large fridge, microwave and hotplate. Also tea and coffee making facilities. Room cleaned daily. Food brilliant always something to eat and cooked lovely. Presentation of salads amazing. Overall hotel and pool exceptionally clean. Two pool attendants keep pool area spotlessly clean testing pool water cpl times a day. Couldn't fault hotel or staff at all. Will definitely return.

Aimee P

Albufeira Sol has it's charms, but unfortunately falls short of their 4 stars. The rooms while very clean, came with cheap bedding and lacked basic amenities you'd expect to find in a higher rated star hotel—like a kettle. The location however, was brilliant. If you are able and would like to, the old town and beach is just a 30 minute walk away. The surrounding area has plenty of restaurants to choose from, with a supermarket that is open till late. The staff were polite and informative, especially the gentleman who greeted us on out late night arrival. I wouldn't say no to staying here again, but with a few small changes the hotel would earn the stars it deserves.

Ana Simoes

We really enjoyed our holiday here with our family. Had plenty of entertainment and activities so you.could just stay at the hotel but also close to the beach and restaurants. We stayed all inclusive and found the food very nice with a lot of choice and quantity. The entertainment team was amazing a lot of activities and games for kids , teens and adults. Everyone was polite and helpful. We really couldn't fault anything except maybe some queues at certain times for the meals if you left it a bit late..

Giedre Rose

Would never stay here again. The atmosphere wasn’t great and there were a lot of things that went wrong during a 5 day stay?! I was expecting more from this hotel. They ask you for a €100 deposit and they never gave our deposit back as we paid by card they said it would be refunded but it wasn’t. I found a fly in my food on the first night (photo included), it crawled out of my olives, definitely not the start I was hoping for. After a long journey it was really disappointing. A few days later we also spotted a cockroach near the food and drinks area. This made us feel uneasy about the overall cleanliness and it put me off eating at the hotel for most of the stay. In general, the experience wasn’t great — the staff weren’t particularly friendly, and although the bar staff were polite, some of their comments came off as inappropriate at times. The pool area was always overcrowded, and we could never find a free sunbed. On top of that, our bed sheets had a musty smell, which added to the feeling that things weren’t being properly maintained. Overall, the stay didn’t live up to our expectations, and we wouldn’t return.

Andy

Small but very welcoming hotel. All the staff were excellent, the entertainment team did a great job during the day, but the evening entertainment was poor. The show on Friday night was vulgar and awful not good for children, and the girl shouting at the others on stage made no sense.

mccarthy1892

One of the best all inclusive holidays we’ve ever been on. The food is varied and of good quality. Theme nights, live cooking of meats and a BBQ a few times a week outside. Snack bar is also a great option for mid afternoon or late night nibbles. Drinks options are great with strong cocktails on offer as well as daily specials. The rooms themselves are large with ample room for a family of 4. The animation team are amazing with constant high energy. The Friday pool party was a highlight of our holiday for the whole family! Only downside was the towels around the pool, almost all sunbeds taken by 6.30/7am.

mike swinburn

This surpassed expectation! I'm genuinely impressed with everything! So I'll breakdown my reasoning: Facilities and rooms: Everything is extremely well maintained. Layout of restaurants, bars, pools, entertainment, and rooms are all well laid out and thought through. The resort is well situated, being under a 10 minute walk from the beach. The rooms they have everything you might need. Beds comfy, lovely having a balcony. There is also decent insulation to the windows, so when evening entertainment begins, you won't be disturbed. The on site splash park and Kids Club is a massive bonus this this resort. Food and drinks: I was super impressed with the selection and quality of food available. The main restaurant rotated the menu throughout the week to keep variety. There are plenty of options for kids and adults. Drinks selections were very good. You won't get top shelf spirits, but cocktails were very nice(if not a bit lethal 😂). Wide selection of soft drinks (please can you let me know the ice tea name as it was delicious?). Between main meal times, the snack bar continuously was stocked (we were impressed with the pizza being made fresh on site-lovely). Cleaniness: absolutely spotless (literally)! When we had our room cleaned, it was immaculate. We were super impressed with the towel swans. Entertainment: Entertainment staff were really energetic and friendly and helped get peoples engagement with activities. Wide selection of activities at the resort. Evening entertainment had a rotation, so there was variety from discos, local folk dancing, quizzes, bingo, etc. Lastly, the ultimate asset to this resort : It's staff! From the moment we arrived the staff were kind and helpful. Everyone was super hard working, energetic, and excited to ensure you were looked after. All staff had fantastic attention to detail (ended up listening to management discuss with staff opinions on how to make minor improvements). I also have to give a special mention that the entertainment staff are on the next level, they especially were great with the kids (really making them feel special). This resort really looks to improve on an already impressive performance. It's great for everyone but especially for families with younger kids. We are considering coming back in the future.

Annalise D'Mello

We had most of our wedding party stay at this hotel and all agreed that it was great in terms of food, cleanliness and quality. The only thing we would feedback on is that we felt the swimming pool is not big enough for the amount of people staying at the hotel. The manager is a real asset to this hotel! It's the first time I've seen a hotel manager make such an effort to introduce themselves to guests and show such caring nature. We could see how much work she put in to make the hotel a safe and happy environment. A lot of our family and friends said they would return in a heartbeat. Thank you for hosting all of us!

Roisin Keane

Can not fault this place, was kept spotless, rooms were cleaned daily; The food was a really good selection with constant rotation and plenty of variety for everyone; We had two small children with us (4 and 1) and the entertainment was next level and the staff could not have been more helpful and just brilliant so much to do; and Will definitely be back next year.

Luka

Big rooms but everything about the hotel is a bit outdated. It’s clean and everything works but it’s ripe for a good remodel. Staff are very nice!! Big + voor the front desk manager! Breakfast was not great but certainly not bad either: everyday the same: after 2 weeks staying there we had enough… Restaurant has much more potential! 15 min walk from beach and there’s a free shuttle bus too.

Kate Byrne

This hotel is a business style hotel and not comfortable enough for a holiday. The spa is very basic in design but the staff are excellent. Wonderful treatments. The pool area is nice but cramped. You have to go to the bar to order food and drink and then they will bring your food poolside. It takes AGES. The pool is not heated and therefore it was ice cold in August! The rooms are sparse and more like you would find in a business hotel. The beds are rock hard. Nice views though. Room service staff are very helpful. The beach is a nice walk away. There is a free shuttle. However, you have to pay to use the hotel sun beds which I found rather odd. No food and drink service provided at the beach. You have to walk quite far to buy water etc or bring it with you. The hotel is very clean and the staff are good but I wouldn’t stay again for a holiday. I think a short visit or business then it’s fine.......underwhelmed

Bento

Big rooms but everything about the hotel is a bit outdated. It’s clean and everything works but it’s ripe for a good remodel. Staff are very nice. Breakfast was not great but certainly not bad either. 15 min walk from beach and there’s a free shuttle bus too.

Alexander

Shuttle to the beach and the friendly reception staff makes it worth the money. The gym wasn't up to my expectations - not for weightlifting. The swimming pool area and garden are beautiful. The food choice at breakfast was sufficient . Rooms are big. BUT the cleaning maids are very loud in the corridor and disturbed our sleep couple of times early in the morning - this is why we will not go back. The cleaning maids do not understand that the guests are here to relax and to rest and they make a lot of noise outside the room.

Alain Guggenheim

I write this review from the perspective from a 5 star hotel, where I expect just an extraordinary and flawless stay: - the management and service is miserable, we were not treated as guest but just as paying money machines - none of the staff speaks english (which is rediculous for a 5 star hotel), to order a lunch becomes a challenge - the Kids Club was closed (because the supervisor was sick) without any further engagement from the the management to hire a deputy. The reason to come here was based on this Kids Club for our son, so as it was closed, the whole stay became pointless. The management did not care at all - the breakfast is maximal 3 star level, always the same food from a normal supermarket. Nothing special, same as in an Ibis Hotel - the rooms are very small without sea view - the pool is very large and nice to relax, but nothing more - the gym and sauna are very small - the food what you see on the pictures doesn't exist - in general, the pictures are not reflecting at all what you get Overall, the hotel deserve 3-4 (hotel) stars for the fascilites and 3 stars for the food and maybe 2 stars for the service. I cannot recommend at all.

Amy

Both my husband and I agreed that this is the cleanest 4+ stars hotel we have been to and we have stayed in a lot of places. The rooms, pool, restaurants everything is kept very clean. The staff was really nice everywhere from reception to housekeeping to restaurants and pool/kids areas. The children’s pool, splash and play areas were super nice and our little one loved them. The hotel is also very close to a nice small beach that we enjoyed.

Katie Baker

Hotel is centrally located. On stepping into the hotel, staff were very welcoming and quick to book us in, our room was ready so was able to get changed and go for a wander. The hotel is a all inclusive with help yourself stations serving fizzy drinks, beer, water, juices and coffee with the bar serving cocktails. The restaurants are all buffet style with plenty of choice, there are 2 restaurants that need to be booked. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in the hotel and wandering out in the fishing village.

Lauren Kirby-Greenall

We’ve just returned from a week at the 3HB Guaraná hotel and can’t fault it! From the moment we entered, the staff were so helpful and friendly. The rooms are immaculate and had everything we needed. The pools aren’t heated (apart from the indoor pool) so they are a bit chilly. We went with our 3 and 1 year old daughters and they loved the splash park and mini disco! It’s a short walk to several different beaches and there are lots of little gift shops, cafes and restaurants nearby. The food was really tasty with lots of different options, and we had plenty of choice as vegetarians. The only suggestion I would have is to label some of the dishes, particularly the desserts, as vegetarian or vegan, as I’m sure quite a lot of them were not vegetarian. I noticed a few GF options too. Thank you to all the staff for a fantastic holiday, we would happily come back again in the future!

Alana Hunter

Stayed here for 7 nights just me and my boyfriend and cannot fault it! The staff/entertainment are amazing and so friendly. Loads of sun loungers and plenty of space around you, has a few pools and an indoor pool and they’re spotless as well as the rooms! The food there is a good amount of options but I’m a picky eater so just went with the simple stuff! There’s 2 game rooms one with arcade one with two pool tables. Only down fall is pool table/cue needs upgrading as there wasn’t any chalk for the pool cues either. There’s water dispensers around the hotel which you get a free bottle on arrival to keep. The alcohol side of options are not too bad but they’re made from a machine to make the cocktails quicker but they’re still really nice! There’s a moon bar that states it’s opened max 6 nights a week but I think it’s only weekends and that’s for adults and anyone 16 or above. There’s music played daily around the activities but it’s the same songs every single day so does drain you a little bit. Depends on your cleaner but they leave little things on your bed which is adorable. The nightlife is absolutely amazing and the scenery is stunning!! Overall such an amazing stay.

Big D

Stunning hotel, staff super friendly as you would expect. Beer isn't super strong poolside admittedly but it's cold and refreshing. No glasses allowed near pool which is totally understandable and something I welcome. The cleaners uphold a very high standard and their towels and bedding arrangements are very funny, there's a new design made with the towels daily. All in all a great hotel, and a lovely place to stay.

Ben Allen

Nice location on top of the hill if you want to be outside of the (relative) hustle of Praia da Luz. Provides great views from the rooms/balconies, and a steady breeze. Family rooms were very spacious, recently refurbed, balcony was big enough to sit and enjoy an evening drink. Mainly couples and adult groups, but our kids were made welcome. Breakfast was really good, plenty of choice. Restaurant for dinner was excellent food, but very quiet. Pool bar is reasonably priced and a nice vibe. All the staff were friendly - All in all, excellent.

Tracy Gibbons

Nicely updated for the most part, though the bed was a bit too firm and could use updating. The showers were hot but not strong. Pool , bar and restaurant were excellent, staff friendly, and the rooms were very comfortable and the views are great. Spa is lovely and gym is nice but could use a few more weights. The padel court is an added bonus! Breakfast buffet twas 5/5!

Konrad Soares

From the moment we arrived, the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. The room was immaculate, stylish, and surprisingly spacious, with one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in. Housekeeping kept everything spotless throughout our stay. The on-site restaurant served top-notch meals — seriously, don’t skip the breakfast. The pool area was clean and relaxing, with plenty of loungers and a great bar service. What truly stood out was the level of service — every team member was warm, helpful, and genuinely cared about our experience. If I had to nitpick, the only slight drawback was the distance to the beach. It’s walkable, but not ideal if you're looking to step out and immediately hit the sand. That said, the quality of the hotel more than makes up for it. We’d absolutely stay here again and recommend it without hesitation!

Jackie Francis

I have visited this hotel for many years and the new management have changed it too much. I believe for the traveler who wants a base to sleep in it is still good value for money. For an old time Portugal devotee of fine dining and cocktails in the evening, this is no longer a desired destination. Only 2/3 years ago, the restaurant had a menu to be proud of - non-residents booked for its quality of choice, chef skills and atmosphere. An excellent restaurant and chef have now been replaced by a cook with such a limited menu, that the only option for a non-fish lover are chicken or steak. Even the minimal menu, does not have full availability. Served sadly with a helping of non- negotiable, non-identifiable vegetables (maybe boiled aubergines and courgettes with a tin of carrots and peas thrown in is my best guess). Cocktails in the evening are not an option - the previous menu and skills discarded. Ingredients to make holiday treats, no longer even available. Everything was sadly no, it hadn’t been reordered. Bar snacks gone and no option to purchase anything. Oddly, the heath makeover of the resort does not extend to offering a choice of healthy eating - instead the same greasy chips were served noon and night with every meal, cheese oozed but fresh salad choices as main or side dishes were unavailable. The only respite was the oft requested ‘punched’ potatoes - less greasy but not to be confused with crushed, sautéed or any other restaurant quality side dishes you may have expected at a 4-star hotel. Staff remain amazing - 5 out of 5 for staff. If we hadn’t had mobility issues in our party, we would only have slept there.

Karen Kent

Lovely quiet location, spotlessly clean, good dinner & excellent fresh breakfast with very good coffee (machine ) all the staff were helpful & friendly. Lovely service all round. Padel court , 2 lovely pools & nice lunch at the pool bar. There is a hill to negotiate to the village centre ( didn’t worry us too much as we were on a walking holiday anyway) bus stop just outside entrance & plentiful Ubers/ taxis about. Great little hotel & happy to recommend.

AOIFE TRAINOR

It does not state on the website that upon arrival you are forced to pay a large amount of money as a damage deposit. This was very stressful as it was €400 before we even got in to the room. The room itself was unbearable. There was no air conditioning which we were told to just deal with. They gave us 1 machine which was meant to blow cold air but actually blew air as hot as it was outside. They then gave us two fans that made strange and loud noises. The sofa beds did not pull out in to beds therefore we had to sleep on the sofa and some of us even slept on the balcony due to the heat and having no bed. The balcony only could hold half of the number of people in the group as it was so small, the chairs on the balcony are plastic and snapped when sitting on them. There was no glasses or cutlery to use therefore we had to go and buy our own. The staff in reception were absolutely diabolical and so rude. When arriving she mocked us by saying “what? have you no money?” After we had just given her the large deposit. The room was covered in ants before we came in. The only good thing this hotel has to offer is the amazing staff in the pool bar. I would highly recommend to not stay here it is run down, outdated and disgusting.

JB25

The hotel looks nice from the outside and when you aren’t paying attention properly but when you look a bit deeper the cracks become obvious. First thing first, there is a stagnant water feature in the lobby and a number of the pools are closed. The rooms have very few electrical outlets with only one in my bedroom. There is no A/C in any of the rooms of the hotel which is crazy and no fans to replace the lack of Air conditioning. The pillows are very uncomfortable and the sheets have stains. The breakfast provided was laughably bad with cold neglected scrambled eggs that looked like they had been reused from and previous day and very bitter pineapple juice. The water provided at breakfast was bizarrely acidic like it was mixed with vodka or the glasses had been washed with bleach. Upon arriving at the hotel within 10 minutes we were offered the sale of Heroin which has never been something I have been offered before let alone so casually in front of the staff at reception. Another couple of men a few days later offered to sell me cocaine and multiple drug dealers freely walk around the hotel and its grounds and are known to and regularly communicate with members of staff. This is unacceptable in any establishment let alone a supposed ‘4 star rated’ hotel with children and families around in full few of the employees. There is a single small and very old elevator in a very dirty corridor surrounded by cleaning equipment and old appliances. We regularly took the stairs out of fear of getting stuck or worse. We told them there were 3 of us staying in one room but were only provided with 2 single beds and they stated we would be charged extra for them to make up a third for us. The only source of joy you will receive from the ‘cheerful’ Balaia plaza hotel will be when you check out and leave the place.

Molly Suart (Molly)

My mother and I stayed a week at this hotel for a leisure holiday in June of 2019. Once we arrived at the hotel we were rudely greeted by the receptionist who was an older woman, she clearly didn’t care or provided much help. Once we entered our apartment we noticed a sewage smell but didn’t think much of it. We noticed gurgling noises coming from the bathroom, found it strange but again didn’t take much notice. My mother was cleaning the bath/shower before going to take a shower but heard a gurgling noise and suddenly brown stuff came flushing out of the drain hole. To put it simply sewage came up our drain into the bath/shower, the smell was horrendous and we couldn’t shower for our remaining days. We brought it to the attention of staff but nothing was done. I would provide pictures but it’s too gruesome to show. We also ran into the issue of all of our valuables getting locked in the safe but the manager came up and helped us with that issue. There was some lovely staff here during, only for that one receptionist. The hotel is also quite far from the strip. We were not happy with our stay, these issues did affect our holiday. I would not recommend staying here at all. Please avoid at all costs!!

António Oliveira

A lie. This place is not worth a single star. Cockroaches in the rooms, falling ceilings, ripped sofas, dirty sheets, used pillows, we even had to ask the reception for new towels. The room smelled unbearably of tobacco. The worst of everything. Don't be fooled by the photos they post

Alex P

Loved the experience. There are two sides of the hotel and don't let that stop you to decide on coming here. Staff were amazing and helpful. We didn't have any issues at all here. Before going on holiday some of the reviews really scared us, but being there I can say now that some people really like to exaggerate or they are really snobs. Below are some pictures from inside the hotel and the view from our room

Sheila Fitzpatrick

We just returned from a wonderful stay at this hotel. From the start we had a great experience. Right on the beach with the sound of the sea in your room (make sure to book a sea view). We got upgraded to an executive suite which was really appreciated and the extra seating area in the room made all the difference. Breakfast was good with a good selection - would have loved an omelete station. There were a lot of older people there (seems Saga do an All Inclusive deal here) but they knew how to enjoy themselves. Seating are in the bar overlooks the beach and it was lovely to watch the sunset with a glass of wine (bar closes at 23.00 - so hotel was very quiet and relaxed. Would definitely stay again. Staff very very pleasant and helpful on reception.

Starasia Starr

Absolutely perfect location. Amazing views from the window. Great breakfast. Comfortable bed. Very clean. Attentive, friendly staff. My only complaint is that the bathroom really needed to be updated in appearance. Everything was in working order, and the shower pressure was good, but it is not as good-looking as the rest of the room. Still that is a minor point because who will stay in their room in this gorgeous location!!

Sue Skipper

Right on the beach and I paid for a sea view, although expensive at €32 a night it was worth it for 2 weeks. Breakfast good, only had one Dinner and Evening Meal every night, food not to my taste and not always (most of the time) not hot. Room was OK, but was left a few times with towels with holes in. Overall OK. Reception staff lovely.

Kristofer Baumgartner

The hotel rooms could use some updating, but if you're spending enough time in your room to care, you're doing it wrong. There couldn't possibly be a better location - very nice pool that goes right on the beach. The restaurants are very nice too, but we're admittedly easy to please. The front desk staff were very helpful and pleasant.

Muness CHARARA

Great location with amazing sea views, and beach access. Very good English breakfast offered. Rooms are pretty old, though, the place needs renovation. Good place if you're spending less time in the room and if your stay is more about beach and sunlight

Rachael Shipley

This hotel was amazing! The staff were very friendly all around the hotel. Made our experience very pleasurable. The location was great, nice, quiet area which was great for us and really not to far a walk to the old town which was buzzing, day and night. Plenty of beautiful places to eat and drink. We only had 4 nights there and we would definitely go back again. Great holiday all round.

007Soulfood

Staff Okay, said hello when entering and leaving, just the basics, that's where it ended! Nice enough though. The room was okay, great view. Bed was like a brick, it was super uncomfortable, a concrete floor would have been more comfortable I'm guessing, felt beaten up by the end of our stay! There was no quilt just the equivalent to 1970s old itchy blankets that were not soft to the touch. Housekeeping was good no complaints there Breakfast was nasty, the worst coffee EVER, so much so we ordered a 'cappuccino' the next time, it wasn't a cappuccino it was a cup of the cheapest hot chocolate EVER, zero coffee in it! Toast hard as a brick like the hotel bed mattress! The shower room floor flooded after 3 minutes, ridiculous! Nothing 4 star about this hotel except the room view. Been in much better 3 star hotels with fantastic food, super friendly staff, maybe not a sea view. Basically, Hotel De Cerro can keep that sea view considering all the other negative factors that, in short, make it a 2 star hotel and not 4 star hotel! To add insult to injury, they charge you to hire a kettle per day. All hotels we have stayed in, regardless of how many stars the hotel is, provide a kettle free with sachets of tea, coffee, sugar and miniature milk cartons daily!

Dawn Rathbone

We were a group of 4 mature ladies on a long weekend away. Highly recommend this hotel, location great, hotel comfortable but what made it for us was the staff. From first arriving at the hotel to a warm welcome by the receptionist, then being looked after by the pool, terrace & restaurant staff so well. Nothing was too much trouble & all had a smile on their face. And let's be honest, staff can make your holiday. Special shout out to Bruno & Rita 👏

Shenagh Benney

We have just returned from a fabulous holiday. The hotel was very clean but it's the staff that make it great. They were all very friendly and helpful and we were always greeted with a smile. Special reference must be given to Pedro, his lovely lady colleague (whose name I completely forgot) and Bruno in the dining room. We had a problem with our shower leaking, flooding the whole floor and seeping out under the door and into the passage. Maintenance couldn't fix the problem and we were upgraded to a beautiful room with sea view. I celebrated my birthday whilst we were there and came back to the room to find I had been left with two small bottles of port and chocolates which was a lovely touch. The dinners were delicious and varied but the breakfasts were the same every day which could be improved upon. The only downside if the hotel is that they charge extra for literally everything, there's no kettle or coffee/ tea provided and if you do want a kettle and cups there's a daily charge as well as a daily charge for the use of the safe which is already in the wardrobe. If you get makeup on your towels they charge you for extra laundry which is ridiculous! Overall we had a lovely holiday but certain aspects in the hotel need improvement

Janet Holland

Lovely hotel, authentic style. Only gripe is no kettle in the room, which we knew about, paid 7 euros for the week and brought my own tea bags. Breakfast is different, but was always good. We liked that the hotel was far enough away, but able to walk to and from the centre of Albufiera.

Keane Two

Close to the strip and beach, rooms are basic but comfortable, breakfast is is set up very well and always plenty of food to help yourself too. Room's are cleaned everyday if you want them to. Nice bar area for drinks and some light entertainment or sit round the small pool plenty of seating. Very good hotel, recommended

Patrick K

Check in: (F) if you have a car you’re in trouble. You can’t drive up to the hotel entrance. You have to find street parking (which is extremely limited by the beach) then go check in first before you will get access to the hotel parking lot. Just ridiculous. Room: (C+) superior double, partial sea view. Pretty basic room but with a large balcony and decent view of the water. Washroom was also pretty basic. Comfort: (F) paper thin slippers which ripped almost immediately but worst of all, a combination shampoo/conditioner/soap dispenser in the shower. I’ve never seen this in any hotel ever. Location: (A) super close to the beach which was great. Amenities: did not try. Verdict: there is no actual way this hotel qualifies as 4 stars. Your avg Marriott courtyard is better. Would not recommend nor return.

Maria O Donnell

Such a lovely hotel. Brilliant safe location beside the beach and on the main strip of Praia de Rocha. Great pool, it was never over crowded and there were always beds available. Breakfast was great with everything you could think of, loved the fresh orange and freshly baked bread rolls. Really safe, family friendly, clean and comfortable hotel. I will be back.

Jennifer Rennard

This hotel was fantastic! The room was clean and beautiful. The location is the best, right in the middle of everything and beautiful views of the beach. The breakfast was delicious. The staff was kind and very helpful, we will definitely recommend and would love to return. Perfect beach getaway!

Philippe Gajevic Sayegh

Loved the hotel Amazing location Amazing service Super clean and modern A huge Thank you to the staff for accommodating our family with all the kids and babies. Special thoughts to Marcelo at the pool, to Philipa and Rui at the breakfast and Marina for the rooms impeccable care. Their kindness and efficiency made our stay so much more enjoyable. Will definitely come back