5 Star Algarve Holidays

John Flood

Incredible experience for our kids 5 and 8 years old. The pool was fantastic 2 slides and a diving board. Located on the beach it was perfect We were all inclusive and the food was very good with an amazing variety 10/10 from all our family.

Abby Mitchell

Very, very disappointed. The whole property including the rooms and common places are outdated. The rooms were clean and we had no problem with the staff that cleaned them, but the couch and kitchen appliances were probably 20 years old and never changed out. For the most part the pool and pool area were clean but the pool chairs were all broken. We booked the all inclusive and it was HORRIBLE. The breakfast and lunch at AQUA were not good. We could not get to any of the other restaurants that were supposedly including in the all inclusive package due to them being on a different property requiring different key cards. We tried Jacks one night for dinner and were so disgusted we left after one bite. This is not a five star resort. It does not own the beach in front of it but you can access it from the mgm property. We will not be returning and we’re upset with the price we paid for our disappointing stay.

Q S (MsQ26)

My Partner & I just returned from a 5 day holiday in Portugal at this hotel. I was hesitant based on the mixed reviews. We will definitely be returning later this year with the kids. The location is perfect for the beach & nightlife all in walking distance. All the staff are friendly & helpful speaking English & other languages lovely Receptionist called Anna gave 5* customer service. The hotel itself needs a full make over to bring it up to 5* expectations. The rooms are quiet dated with small repairs that need doing the tiles on the bathroom wall we're cracked with paint splatters in the bath, small mirror light bulb one not working one hanging out the socket. Lounge area furniture was wooden & noisy. Kitchen are was good size with fridge & oven very useful for storing snacks & cold drinks, so was able to make toast & coffee before breakfast. The rooms are very spacious with amazing sea views. The food & variety was better at the sister hotel up the road in the restaurant Jac's. For 5* the jacuzzi, steam & sauna should be part of all inclusive but we had to pay €10 per day to use facilities. Indoor & outdoor pool was lovely & clean.

Xmas Xmas

it’s got really good service and buffet food. i don’t love the yellow colour in the room personally but the rooms are so clean and there’s useful utilities. the only downside is that u have to get a bus into town

Nima Traveller

We as a family stayed for about 10 days in this hotel. To me, this hotel is more like a 3 star hotel, not even a 4 star. How come it is evaluated as a 5 star hotel, is a big question and a riddle to me! Positive Experiences: + Almost all staff were friendly with a few exceptions . Our thanks especially to Mr. Carlos, the charming und very polite Swiss - Portuguese receptionist, who has always a nice smile on his lips and is always helpful. And Mr. Denis, of the Skybar, who is really a professional bartender. + The standard family room was spacious with a great front view of the Atlantic. Negative Experiences : - The rooms and generally the hotel itself are old and in bad maintenance condition. It needs urgently renovations. You can see everywhere the stains, the holes, cracks and rust in the rooms and in other places of the hotel site. - The food are ok, but more than 70% the same everyday. You can see the rest food of lunch for example mixed with other ingredients to make salads for the dinner! - The beverages are limited and boring in choice. Many drinks and beverages usually you can order or have in other AI hotels, are not served here or not included in AI. - There is no room service in this hotel. So as our child had fever, and couldn’t go to restaurant to have lunch or dinner, we were not allowed to take soups or food from the restaurant and we should go to the grocery store to buy extra, though we paid for AI for a family. - The room had 2 very old air conditioners, one made a loud noise while working and the other one broke on the 3. day of our stay. The temperature outside was 28-33 Celsius. It took 2 days for the hotel to have this repaired, though we informed them on the first day. The lady of the customer care was a nice lady, and talked nicely as well, but didn’t want or couldn’t change our room because of this problem. - One should pay for the hotel a rental fee of 10 euros each towel. As in other 5 star hotels you usually pay a deposit which will be returned upon bringing back. - The pools are dirty and are not cleaned very well. You can see a lot of sand, and trash in the pool. This „5 star hotel“ doesn’t have the modern pool vacuum cleaner or automatic pool cleaners, as you can see nowadays in other big hotels. One of the staff cleans the pool from time to time with a hand cleaning net. He does his best to do this, but this way is not effective and enough for such a hotel with so many guests. - The hotel has one small and main restaurant „Aqua“ for breakfast and lunch and some different small restaurants you should pre book in the reception. But other restaurants are not in this hotel, but in the other hotels of the same hotel chains MGM, with a walking distance from 5 to 15 minutes. - The hotel has a beach access, but it is not the private beach of the hotel guests. There are not any sun beds belonging to the hotel but you should rent the sun beds from the small private businesses there. Make a long story short, We would definitely not stay in or book this hotel again, and recommend others the same. ————- Nous avons séjourné en famille pendant environ 10 jours dans cet hôtel. Pour moi, cet hôtel ressemble plus à un hôtel 3 étoiles qu'à un 4 étoiles. Comment se fait-il qu'il soit évalué comme un hôtel 5 étoiles, c'est une grande question et une énigme pour moi. - Les chambres et l'hôtel en général sont vieux et en mauvais état d'entretien. Il a besoin d'une rénovation urgente. On peut voir partout les taches, les trous, les fissures et la rouille dans les chambres et dans d'autres endroits du site de l'hôtel. - Il faut payer à l'hôtel un loyer de 10 euros par serviette. Comme dans d'autres hôtels 5 étoiles, vous devez généralement payer une caution qui vous sera rendue au retour. - Les piscines sont sales et pas très bien nettoyées. Vous pouvez voir beaucoup de sable et de déchets dans la piscine. Cet « hôtel 5 étoiles »! Pour faire court, nous ne séjournerions certainement pas ou ne réserverions plus dans cet hôtel, et nous le recommanderions à d'autres.

Graham Shields

Hotel Muthu Forte Da Oura Hotel: We stayed here for a lads week holiday, so four of us in one apartment. Unfortunately, our room was behind the poolside ones, so there were no great views for us. Someone has to get these, I guess. Think it was OK for us as we were out most of the day. We soaked up the beautiful hot sunshine while 13.00, then we were out down the main strip for the day/night. We never tried the food here. It did look a bit basic tho, burgers seemed the most popular item! The location of the hotel was good, near the main strip & beach. Rooms appeared a bit dated & good enough for us, I would spend a week here with the family, tho I'd pay the extra cost for a proper 5 star, I think. All in all, it was acceptable for groups, male and female, families I would look for something better,

Paul Glennon

Lovely place to stay but during May And June maybe more suited to single and young couples , as this seems to be the majority of the guests there. Not many kids around. The restaurant and food was excellent and having the other MGM hotels around you , you can also use their facilities as long as you are inclusive guest.

Juan alonso alonso

On arrival, little to no information on restaurant and bars location we had included, and when asked next day, it appears everything was booked out already. Rooms are not being cleaned / tidy up. Sun chairs are not enough in the pool area, Shows and events not being communicated in the hall area for times and places these are happening. No entertainment team, and no music in the pool area. Bed for my wife and me was made of 2 single beds. 28-05-2024 Update A chat from Forte da Oura customer services was requested to look into listed issues, and I can confirm hotel management have been doing some clear efforts to improve those areas over the last days, what is also remarkable is the prompt interest on finding solutions to my raised concerns, which also demonstrates Forte da Oura Hotel possesses a very professional team really aiming for the best of customer experiences, Acknowledges to Miss Natalia.B and Mr Rajesh.S for the fast approach and hope you guys keep working hard for the best of customers satisfaction.

ross grylls

Had a great week here and would recommend for a cheap week away. Hotel is clean, staff were very friendly, food was basic but there are other restaurants you can use with the all inclusive

Anup Shah

Recently been to this hotel. Party of 9 people, Everthing about this hotel was fantastic. All the staff were very helpful and the chefs made us delicious food to our requirement. The sister hotels not very far are very nice and the restaurant are situated there. Only walking distance to the beach although a bit hilly.you can take tuk tuk to and fro. Would recommend this hotel . May is the best time to go. Will definitely go back there. Rajesh who looks after the all the hotels . Thank you so much for great service.

Sandra Blot

I recently stayed at Crowne Plaza Vilamoura for a few nights, and while there were some positive aspects, a few issues left me feeling underwhelmed. To start with, I was disappointed to encounter silverfish in the bathroom on multiple occasions. This made the bathroom feel less clean and put a damper on the overall experience. Cleanliness is a basic expectation, and this was definitely below par. Another issue was the EUR 25 deposit required per pool/beach towel. While I understand the need for security, this seemed excessive, especially for a standard hotel. It felt more like a hassle than a necessity. The coffee capsules in the room costs EUR 2.5 which I have not encountered at any 5 star hotel I've stayed before. Finally, the queue at breakfast was quite long most mornings. On the positive side, we did get a nice surprise in our room on my birthday with a bottle of sparkling and cake. Overall, while the hotel had some good points, these issues made my stay less enjoyable than I had hoped. I would not recommend or return to this hotel.

Sam Baker

We spent a week there with our 2 boys. The service was superb and all staff were so incredibly friendly and helpful. The room was nice and light, with a great view. The pool was huge and the boys were happy to play in it all day long. The breakfast and dinner buffets were fantastic and food was absolutely amazing. Would absolutely recommend this hotel to anyone

Luke

Absolutely perfection! 5 star quality. We were so sad to leave. Hotel is superby clean, bright and airy. Staff are fantastic and very knowledgeable. We booked a few excursions via the hotel reception whom did it all for us. Swimming pool is huge and very clean with pool bar staff regularly coming to us asking if we needed any drinks. Restaurants are wonderful, good portion size and quality of food was exceptional. Beach is literally 5min walk from hotel. No need to worry about reviews regarding building works we had a side sea view directly opposite the so called building work - see photos (it is 99% complete). It was absolutely no problem at all. Housekeeping was done daily by the excellent cleaning ladies and everything restocked and towels changed daily. Standard Coffee and complimentary water left daily. Mini fridge in the room. The most enjoyable 5 star hotel we look forward to returning too :)

Tara Gilsenan

This is an amazing hotel from start to finish, spotlessly clean, friendly & helpful staff on reception, at the pool area, behind the bar and in the restaurant. The rooms are fabulous, huge comfortable beds and so peaceful and quiet. The pool is one of the nicest I’ve seen, huge and really clean. What I liked is that the kids pool area is off in a separate area so there were very few kids running around / playing in the main pool area so it was very relaxing. The hotel is in a great location, you have your own access straight onto the beach and just a short walk from the marina and all the lovely restaurants around. I Would highly recommend this hotel it is definitely worth the extra money.

Méabh Ní Bhrion

Enjoyed our stay in Crowne Plaza. Breakfast was lovely and room was spacious and quiet. A short walk from the marina which we didn’t mind. Staff were friendly, particularly Jose at the front of house, the concierge, and lady in the shop. Easy access to the beach and outdoor pool is lovely. We didn’t use the indoor pool while there but the gym facilities are fantastic.

Shelley Walters

Had a fabulous 10 days at the Tivoli. Fantastic facilities matched only by all of the staff. So welcoming & friendly nothing was too much trouble. A special mention for the staff in Peppers the steak restaurant inside the hotel. The one gentleman (unfortunately didn’t get his name) had the greatest smile in Portugal!!! A wonderful man who clearly loved his job, so nice to see 100% will return to the Tivoli when we are next back in Portugal

Khal

Expensive but you get what you pay for. Rooms, staff, facilities food all excellent. Location is probably the best in the area. Pool is a bit busy and on the small side for the price, but still amazing and we enjoyed it a lot. Breakfast has everything you would want, high quality food. Star of the show is the coffee shop at the lobby, high quality coffee and don’t skip the sweets as they are very tasty as well. Highly recommend this hotel and would say one of the few hotels we would repeat as we typically like to change it up and don’t go to the same place twice.

Susan Blacklock

Fantastic hotel in stunning surroundings. Expensive but you get good service from knowledgeable and friendly staff. We booked a sea view room which was great or we could have booked a marina view looking at the many boats of the rich & possibly famous people. This is a relaxed, chill out resort but some of the bars do have music in the evening. A shout out to the wine waiter at the hotel, think his name is Pedro, for his extensive knowledge & friendly suggestions of both wines and places to visit.

Rick Smith

A great hotel with excellent staff, who couldn't do enough for us. The hotel is in a brilliant location, right next to the marina and the beach. The restaurant was top notch as well. The only downside is that a double room means too single beds pushed together, but not a major problem.

Stacey Mills

Fabulous location. Everything you need or want to do within walking distance. Pool staff were great and attentive, they got me a different parasol after someone pinched the one at my sunbed. Pool was good, lots of sunbeds. Air con was very good, breakfast was goodlots of choice. Didn't eat in other restaurants as I wanted to get out and about. Bad points - outdoor breakfast area had a terrible sewage smell if near grill drains on ground. Rooms were nice but no more, expected a better for the cost. Asked for a different room due to the noise through the wall from elevator doors all night, change was made asap with no issues about moving. However, the 2nd room I got had both handles missing from balcony doors. Adult only pool is €35 to reserve a sunbed.

Dave Abernethy

Awesome saltwater pool overlooking the best beach in the Western Algarve, Praia da Rocha. Private walk from the hotel to the beach, and private cabanas. Only had the awesome breakfast there along with drinks overlooking the beach during sunset, but everything about this hotel is memorable. Awesome staff too. Also notable, is the hotel parking garage includes two free Tesla chargers and two non Tesla EV chargers. We will be back!

Mike Oliver

I recently stayed at this hotel, which is rated as a 5-star establishment, but the experience was far from it. The management was very poor, and the quality of the breakfast was extremely low for a 5-star hotel. Additionally, the staff were not helpful at all. This place is definitely not deserving of its 5-star rating and needs significant improvements in management to truly meet 5-star standards.

Tracy Xie

Other than the location there’s nothing good about this hotel. We didn’t get the room we booked and we were told that the hotel was fully booked and there’s not a single room left to upgrade / change. The hotel amenity needs some serious upgrade. The room looked like from 100 years ago. Most importantly there were ants everywhere in the room. I couldn’t sleep at all because ants were crawling on my face. The management was not helpful at all and did nothing when we reported the issue. This is definitely not a 5 star hotel. Not recommend anyone to stay here.

Aria Wen

This is the worst 5 start hotel I have ever stayed. There were ants all over the place, sofa, floor, basin and even on our bed. Also we booked ocean view two beds room and when we arrived, we were told that they were fully booked and we were only given the street view room which comes cheaper price. We complained to manager and he did not say anything about it. The bathroom has no door and room smell nasty. We can live far more better hotels with this price. Totally false advertising. Do not recommend anyone stay here

Elsa boulos

This hotel has a great location and beachfront, but its service has nothing to do with a 5-star hotel. The rooms are very old, and there was a day when they did not clean the room, even though we requested the room to be cleaned. The staff are super rude and not friendly at all; we even got stuck in the elevator for 20 minutes.

Team779strange WillBill

The staff clearly work hard and have impeccable hospitality skills. My kids are autistic and the staff accommodated them excellently. The food was enjoyable, and they had something for even picky eaters. The pool was inviting and clean. Both me and the kids loved it. Not too busy. Booked food at the Mandarin Chinese restaurant. It was okay but not lots of choice. All in all it was a fabulous hotel and we would stay here again.

Julia Evans

I’m genuinely baffled by this being a 5* hotel and the good reviews it gets. This is a review from a 5 night stay in June with myself and 2 friends. The reception staff are nice and polite. I feel they could have informed us about the situation with what restaurants are included on the all inclusive and that spoke are located in other hotels and some were not even open. All staff were kind. This is not a reflection on them. I found the food at this hotel of a very poor standard. Certainly not 5* or even close maybe 3. Small selection and not much choice. The quality of what was available was very disappointing. We ate out. If you’re choosing all inclusive for drinks and cocktails I personally wouldn’t bother unless you’re a beer drinker. They’re just terrible. Not much choice. Cheapest of cheap mixers and alcohol. The rooms are a decent size. There was a rattan type love seat by the pool broken and no cushion. You need to pay for a towel for a sunbed. Not a deposit. Pay. €5. When I asked if I could change for a fresh one after a few days I was told no, you can wash it yourself in your room. No nice cosmetic products in the bathroom very basic. Location is good. Wouldn’t book again.

Maria Wolosz

We arrived at the hotel around midday and we could check in earlier. The food was absolutely delicious and every evening there was a different cuisine on the buffet. Grand Muthu Forte do Vale also have a sister hotel nearby where residents can go and use the hotel facilities, have drinks, lunch or dinner, they also offer different food styles like Mexican, Mediterranean. We haven’t used it as we only went for 7 nights on all inclusive and the hotel itself was great. We were upgraded to apartment which was lovely and specious and very very clean. The beds are extremely comfortable with luxury linen, our towels and toiletries were replenished daily. The bar was open from 11am until 11pm with variety of local drinks and daily entertainment in the lounge area. Staff were very attentive, especially the young gentleman at reception, the older man in waistcoat behind the bar and a lovely girl in the main restaurant with long dark hair (didn’t speak much English but very polite and attentive) sorry I didn’t take their names. The only downside I’ve found was the quality of wine. Overall, our stay was great, and we’ll be recommending this hotel.

Nick Postles

A superb hotel with friendly staff and great facilities. 3 hotels all on the same area, with a courtesy bus to take you around them. All inclusive guests can use any of the 14 restaurants across the 3 hotels. There is also a free gym, sauna and steam room, with an optional spa at a cost. Albufiera old and new towns are a 10-15 minute walk away if you want to get out and explore. Highly recommend this hotel for a relaxing break.

Michael Healy

Thank god we only got a day pass to try out the hotel for our wedding next year!! pool area and day time activities were good. Gym was very good tbf best hotel gym I’ve been to, friendly staff. But by god the food let it down big time ! Worst all inclusive food I’ve ever had ! Cheap fatty boney cuts of meats. Dinning area was absolutely chaotic , small areas to walk to get food so everyone was up on top of each other. Huge pilars around area too so people had to squeeze in and around you which is annoying while you’re eating . Huge table base too so you can’t put your legs underneath the table but spread your legs wide around the table, both of us got sick later that day too after the food. Very slippy around the pool be very careful, wear shoes . Kids jumping and diving where ever they wanted too with no life guard! Hotel overall looked nice and clean but food was the biggest thing for us more like a 2 star .

Ramnathan Hariharan

This was one of the best resort experiences. They serve a sumptuous breakfast buffet and all their signature restaurants are good. While you may not have pizzas while in Portugal, but the pizza restaurant in the resort definitely deserves a special mention for crafting one of the best artisanal pizzas. They have private beach access, kids club, games room which makes it very kid friendly. The staff is kind and considerate. All the nearby beaches in Albufeira are within close proximity (within 2-3 miles). Overall, an amazing experience with 2 little kids.

Stanley van den Heever

Had a lovely week staying at Grande Real. Staff very friendly and helpful, rooms are large and clean. Great location with a beach a 1min week. Went for breakfast only - cannot fault the breakfast. Great selection of fruits, cheese, eggs, etc. even some nice pastries. Only "fault", the chairs and umbrella on the beach, owned by the hotel, costs an extra €20 per day... When you pay €1000 for a week to stay in the hotel, I would expect that to be included.

Omer Menashe

Just amazing! The hotel is located right on the beach, offering 4 pools, The breakfast was incredible! Super rich and good. A lot of parking with electric car charging stations.

Mark Amarasekara

Great staff that are very attentive and helpful. Good location for the beach and not too far to town or from the airport either. Good gym facilities for those that need to burn off some breakfast calories.

Bashir Jassat

Great Location in Albufeira. The Hotel was upto standard all the staff were very friendly and helpful. They have a spa with hot water pool a playing area for children a game room. It's on the Beach and they have a couple of good restaurants. We had a lovely time.

Ian Clabby

Very friendly and helpful staff, from reception to bar and restaurant. Attentive and keen provide a welcoming experience. Clean and comfortable room. Excellent golf courses and facilities. And an absolutely wonderful buffet, particularly the evening meal. Fresh quality produce and prepared with great skill. Would definitely return.

Ca KH

How this Hotel achieved 5 stars and made it through any health and safety standards it’s a miracle. The below photos show only a friction of what has been missed to repair or refurbish for many years…. The marketing photos looked quite decent when selecting the property however are not reflecting the current status at all. The only reason I gave it 2 stars was for the effort of the housekeeping team maintaining our room and the breakfast personnel.

João Miguel Vieira

This hotel is most definitively not 5 star worthy. Although on paper looks like it, I can assure you it is very far away from it. The villas are in a miserable state. As per the pictures below there are heavy signs of mold on the walls and humidity. Spider webs on the ceiling and awfully antique interior and accessories ( hair dryer, phone, wardrobe). The door makes an awful noise when you open it and the Vila next door flooded due to problems in the pipes. Hotel only offers 1 proper food alternative during the day which is extremely overpriced for mediocre food. Breakfast is underwhelming and not vegan friendly. The scenery is great but the pool is filled with impolite guests and cheap parasols which tend to fly with heavy winds. Internal pool, sauna and Turkish bath was under maintenance during high season ( awful timing) The fitness room is filled with rather antique equipment and is not very safe to use. If you want access to the more “luxury” part of the fitness room you need to pay extra for a personal trainer. Yet this “luxury” part only consists of 2 more antique machines. If you’re not a fan of golf I could not recommend.

Shaun T

Recently stayed for 3 nights. Every member of staff we had the pleasure to deal with was Excellent and couldn't help us enough,upgraded our rooms sorted a late check out on our last day and Rita the manager passed by us and took our cases and golf clubs to our room. Hotel was spotless,only issue we had was some ants coming into our room but not bad enough to complain. Golf course was well looked after but very slow at times but that was down to the massive group playing in front of us . Overall highly recommended.

Rupesh Godar

Great experience. Restaurant staff is really kind. Breakfast buffet is good. Rooms are large and comfortable. We will come back.

Hermione Barfield

The whole stay was great, we enjoyed ourselves. Down side was the evening menu in the restaurant. Limited and quite unusual for the younger members of our party. Loved the smaller pools beside the town houses. Breakfast was excellent as was the lunch menu.

Sarah Tipping

Our first time here and we were really impressed with the accommodation and the resort itself which is very clean and well kept. Our two bedroom townhouse was perfect for our family (2 adults, 2 teenagers). The staff were all lovely and helpful too. It’s a short walk into Carvoeiro town centre (c. 15 mins) - although the walk back is uphill which didn’t appeal to everyone but it was actually fine.

Himal

Restaurant service was excellent.. breakfast items are limited. Most of the customer are British and Irish . Resort should offer good quality of sausage hash browns which weren’t on the dishes.. swimming pool is great staff are hospitable but room service staff were slow. It’s pricy for what you get.

Anushkha vadhera

We occupied 2 different room types and both were fully equipped, clean and spacious. The staff was very courteous and helped us extend our stay until 2pm as our flight was late in the evening. We thoroughly enjoyed the recreational amenities like spa and swimming pool. Overall, it was a very relaxing trip. Wish we had booked it for a longer period.

Katie Kenny

Staff were helpful but staying for 7 nights, you need to get to know your guests. breakfast could have been changed up abit, the same items for 7 days gets a bit boring, no fish or potatoe options. Accommodation was spacious but cleaning could be improved. Beds were very comfy, swimming pool area clean. Overall enjoyed our stay.

Henry Shiying Hong

A hidden gem. The hotel and its staff live up to its name. Our family chose this resort as the final destination along our road trip from Austria to Portugal, and we absolutely loved it and had a good rest. Special thanks to Pestana Alvor Praia for upgrading us to the top floor suite, absolutely breathtaking coastline panorama, hotel staff were lovely and accommodating, breakfast and dining buffet was superb with lively music performances in the evening. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and thank you for having us, we will be sure to visit again in the future.

Carys Lewis

I stayed in the Pestana Alvor hotel for 3 nights with friends and highly recommend it! The hotel is situated just off the beach, with a lift that takes you directly to it. Staff were extremely polite and always happy to go above and beyond. The hotel was always very clean, the design was beautiful. The room/bathroom were well designed. The pool, although not large, was plenty big enough - it was however quite cold! The range of breakfast food was extensive, with different things available each day. There was a dedicated pancake and omelette chef. The live pianist was also a lovely touch. Overall I would say it was very good value for money, and I will likely stay here again if I were to visit the Algarve.

Chris Alger

I really liked the location of this place. We stayed three nights and it definitely has everything you need to hang out with a beach steps away. The only annoying thing was the room air conditioners were antiquated and could not cool the room. They should upgrade these or have trouble as temperatures increase.

Tecno

I recently stayed at this charming old hotel, and while it had its quirks, it certainly left a lasting impression. The rooms were undeniably dated, with furnishings straight out of a bygone era, but they had a nostalgic charm to them. While the rooms appeared superficially clean, it was clear that they could benefit from a deeper cleaning.However, what truly set this hotel apart was its superb atmosphere and the outstanding service provided by the personnel. From the moment I checked in, I was greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality, and throughout my stay, the staff went above and beyond to ensure my comfort and satisfaction.The highlight of my stay was undoubtedly the breathtaking sea views and the beautiful beach just steps away from the hotel.

Albert McMullan

Location is a compromise as it’s in a beautiful setting with a wonderful sandy beach but is 40 minutes walk to nearest town centre , Alvor. Swimming on the beach was not suitable for either my wife or myself as it’s quite sloped in places and the beautiful soft sand is terrible to walk on with arthritic joints. We were on a B&B basis and problems logging the credit card at check-in meant we had to carry a card at all times to purchase food and drink. Sadly this could have been resolved on the next day but the easy ‘work-around’ was not done until (I think) day 4. Very friendly staff, rooms always clean but inconsistent stocking of fridge. Balcony door occasionally left open after room service. Room safe free to use. Ours had a habit of opening by itself after locking which I thought was me being forgetful but I heard it open just after I locked it on our last evening. Bill was presented with some interesting charges to the food and drinks charged to the room. I had not noticed these when signing. Tourist tax is charged to your bill as expected. Avoid the evening meal. It’s mediocre and €35 each + drinks + service charge. Getting a second drink either coffee at breakfast or wine in the evening can take time or not happen at all. Would we return? No. Reasons….sloping beach, evening meal, distance to town, cost.

Paul Cole

Had a great week at Vale da Lapa, fabulous 3 bed villa with private pool, while still having access to hotel facilities. All the staff are amazing and always treated us fantastically. We chose half board for the ease, food was great, though we did find the main menu got a little stale by the end. There is a chefs special menu as well, which was welcome and we dined out one evening at Luisa's restaurant that was great and reasonably priced. Breakfast is a standard buffet, with plenty of choice for everyone. Loved the paddle court. We're a family of six and used Uber to get everywhere we wanted to, which was super easy and not expensive. Lots to see and do in the area, access to supermarkets and restaurants locally. Only disappointment is that we didn't book 2 weeks! 😁

Mark Beeforth

Spent the week with my family of young children and this place was perfect. The 2 bedroom villa is huge and modern with a lovely balcony from the master bedroom. The pool area is excellent, with a large main pool, baby pool, and heated extra pool, plus jacuzzi. Plenty of sunbeds for everyone. Great location, within 10 mins of Carveiro, multiple beaches and a supermarket. Would definitely return and highly recommended

Donna M

I stayed for 9 days with my mum, and while it was a relaxing holiday I didn't think the resort was 5 stars. The location is tranquil and great if you want somewhere quiet, a car is definitely needed as the resort isn't within walking distance to the nearest town. The food in the resort wasn't good; we had dinner in the restaurant the first night, and didn't try again, as it was a disappointing experience My mum ordered chicken which was partly undercooked, and not very nice. The portions were small. The breakfast was also disappointing; I was expecting fresh juices but they were mixed with water. You can order eggs but everything else was (to me) basic. The bar food was also bad; frozen food, reheated and tasteless, I sent my order back. The villa itself was spacious but the stairs were dirty, the balcony rail wobbly and I had to report two issues with the plumbing. The hilight was the on site spa, my mum enjoyed a lovely massage and everyone onsite was friendly. Based on previous reviews I appreciate I'm in the minority but unfortunately it wasn't for me.

Olga Shubina

Great place. Spacious, well-equipped and well-maintained suites/villas. It was clean. There is a heated indoor swimming pool with 24h access. Although they do provide the swimming pool schedule, there is a side door that is never closed, so you can technically enter at any time and stay as long as you want. They also have a good quality steam room and Turkish sauna! The service was also excellent, very attentive.

John Hiney

We had a great time at Vale de Lapa Resort. Lovely and quiet at the busiest time of the year for our young family. Would recommend although you would need a car or use Uber regularly to visit portimao, shops, sea etc.

Kristina Tina

Beautiful Hotel with a nice location close to a small public beach, the rooms are very nice very recently renovated, the hotel is very quite never feels full or over crowded the staff is very friendly. Breakfast buffet had a quite good and big selection, everything was fresh. You can walk to a small public beach directly from the hotel which is very convinced, since there are not many hotels in the Algarve with beach access All around the hotel there are nice gardens, we had a room at ground floor with terrace with was more like a private garden with sunbeds which was amazing

Merel Dubbeldam

10/10. First i stayed here alone for 4 days, which i can recommend! Later on my mom had a terrible experience with an other hotel in Albufeira so we booked again Vila Alba for 6/7 days, they were again so welcoming and gave us an upgrade to a bigger room. So kind! Also the staff is really nice to talk with and to. They go above and beyond. Rooms are VERY clean and the cleaning ladies are also kind and hard working!❤️❤️ 10/10. Hotel is next to the beach, also really good vibe :). There is life guard too, you can book different swim activities too.

Carla Williams

The room was great, the service we received from the time we checked in was amazing. My kids played at the playground, there’s a hiking trail, the beach is 3min walk away. The staff at breakfast and dinner provided great service. Some of the people that stood out were Gabby, Beto and Jessica. I also tried the spa and Paula was amazing, I definitely recommend trying it out. About 8-10min drive to the nearest town so a car is recommended to visit around. There’s free parking on site. Overall a great getaway place!!!

Franziska Z.

This hotel is a little hidden paradies. The rooms are so beautiful decorated and designed and everything is very clean. Due to the little separate villas the hotel area is very charming with a great calm privacy for all guests. All staff members are very friendly and the view from the infinity pool is just amazing. The location is just perfect, directly in front of the ocean with its breathtaking view on the bays close to Benagil cave and with direct access to a small charming beach. Here I got to know the great team of www.benagilkayaking.com. We could reserve and start an amazing kayak tour directly in front of the hotel and discover the beautiful coast line guided by very sympathetic and professional guides. Thank you for that wonderful experience!

Laura M

I had a terrible experience at this resort. I checked in on 2nd June 2024 for two nights and paid to upgrade my room to a large one at the cost of €80. At 11:30pm I wanted to have a shower and went in to the bathroom. To my horror there was a large cockroach in the bathroom. I complained to the resort staff who agreed to change the room for me. Around 12:30am I entered the new room and to my horror there were multiple cockroaches and other small bugs running around the living room. This resort must be infested with cockroaches for me be able to see this many. I saw one of them run up the bed sheets and into the bed. At this point I was so tired and stressed out by this that I decided to check out and try and find another hotel. When checking out I was told that the staff could not issue a refund as this needed to be approved by their manager who had already gone home. I showed them the photos I have attached to this review as evidence that their were cockroaches in my room. A male member of staff saw one of the cockroaches in the bathroom himself. So they clearly understand they have a problem. I was left to arrange another hotel and transport to the hotel myself which was an additional cost I had to bear. The reason I am leaving this review here is due to how I have been treated by the hotel when attempting to get a full refund as I was not able to sleep in either of the rooms. In total I incurred costs of: 1. £271.22 for a two night stay which I didn't even stay for a single night 2. €8 city tax 3. €80 room upgrade Not only was this costly but it ruined my holiday as I had the stress of the cockroaches and having to find another hotel at 1am in the morning. The hotel have been evasive. I called multiple times to be told that the manager was unavailable to deal with my refund request. When I was finally able to speak to the manager he said it was not his decision and that he would contact me. After waiting some time and not receiving any contact from the hotel I again rang them and was told that they could only offer to refund a single night which I feel is unfair because I was not able to sleep in either room. I said that I wanted to receive a full refund as I didn't agree with their offer and was told that this was out of the managers hands and someone else was making the decision. I asked to speak to them directly and was told this was impossible and that they would forward any emails on to the person making the decision. I don't understand why I could not speak to the decision maker directly. The way I have been treated has left a bad taste in my mouth. I warn you not to book this hotel. It is far from what I would consider 5 star, the rooms have cockroaches and the management are unhelpful and evasive when you have a problem. I feel that any business should be judged on how they support you when you have a problem or when things go wrong. In the case of Suites Alba Resort and Spa I can say they failed to live up to the 5 star rating they claim. Avoid at all costs so you don't end up like me in a room with cockroaches, out of pocket and with no where to sleep at 1am in the morning.

Sophie Byrne

We have had the best holiday here! The resort itself is absolutely beautiful and the staff are so friendly and helpful! It's a bit out of the way, but that just adds to the peaceful vibes. When wanting to go out exploring, we were able to get a quick Uber for less than €10, so easy. We'll definitely be coming back!

Natasha Kent

On a positive note the staff were lovely, especially on reception and housekeeping and Racquel at the pool bar who was always smiling offering great service. The apartments themselves are lovely and spacious and well equipped, sadly the mattresses and pillows were extremely uncomfortable, I may as well have slept on the floor it was so hard. We took one of the thin quilts off the single bed to try and alleviate the problem but to no avail. Ive never slept so poorly. The pool area is a great design however definitely needs some attention. The decking was loose in parts and the plastic grate around the kids pool needs a really good clean. Also there is some disparity with the sun loungers, there aren’t enough for everyone to begin with and some were missing cushions / needed a good clean. The newer ones were quite uncomfortable with no cushion. Food wise we only ate at the bbq night but it was quite disappointing considering the price, either over cooked or undercooked and the salads looked like the ready made batches you could pick up at the intermarche. A drive in to Ferragudo though and we found some lovely restaurants. I am quite sure this place did once live up to a higher star rating however when I compare it to numerous other places I have stayed I just can’t get over the bed situation and how uncomfortable we were each night and I think it definitely needs some investment.

Ross Andrew

We've been back for a few weeks now after a 7 night stay, and here's my review... This is not a 5* resort. It's certainly 4*. We were told by owners of some of the apartments that it used to be, but certainly isn't anymore (apparently it's been into administration a few times). Pros: - The staff were all incredibly friendly (especially Joel and Raquel, who always went out of their way to interact with our 10 month old baby and make us feel comfortable) - The grounds, apartments, and pool are all fantastic. It's an incredibly chilled, lovely environment. Perfect to take your kids. - The location is bang in the middle of an area that includes Carvoeiro, Ferragudo, Silves etc. If you rent a car (or use Uber, which is very cheap), it's a great launch pad to explore the area. - We were upgraded to a two bedroom apartment, and it was probably one of the cleanest resorts I've ever stayed in. The apartments are fantastic, great amenities, and afford a lot of privacy. Cons: - The food was, quite frankly, appalling. Breakfast was fine (you can't really mess up a continental...), but dinner was awful. We went half board and the options were mediocre, and limited to a few dishes plus the usual sides as part of a buffet style service. It was not good. If we went again, we'd go B&B and go out in the evening for food (FYI: there's an amazing microbrewery and taproom about 5 mins down the road). The last 3 nights we were there we just left the resort for dinner and enjoyed it a lot more. - It felt understaffed. We saw the same 4-5 staff members every day, morning or night. On check in there was only a receptionist and I had to load all of our luggage onto a trolley and take it to our apartment myself. - The negatives of the location are that it's not walking distance from anything. I'd definitely rent a car, or prepare to use taxis. All in all, we had a really nice holiday, and it is a very nice resort. Please do not though that it is 4*, not 5*, as Jet2 sell it as. If we went back (and we happily would), we'd rent a car, and choose B&B!

Paco Martín Pignatelli

Rooms are 30m2 but they forced me to book two rooms for three people. They claimed my daughter can’t fit in . My reservation clearly said three people but was booked with an agency. Room smells tobacco and place is at most a three star. Far from everything and pool is small . Don’t come. Bruno paquito was the person at the reception, bad attitude, almost rude

Jon Bridger

Played tennis there, lovely surroundings, but the courts need a refresh. Lovely pool, and poolside bar, gym and an indoor pool, so great if you want to exercise while on holiday.

Chris Humphryes

Superb luxury hotel in Vilamoura. Upgraded as a Diamond member. Recommend a room overlooking the golf course for peace, quiet & great views. Fantastic breakfast, best had outside on the deck. Romantic pool is lovely for a chilled sun trap. Service from all the staff was friendly & faultless. Spa was amazing. Free shuttle to the Marina & a private area on the beach. 10/10!

Mark Russell

We had a great five-night stay here. The rooms are large, modern and clean with spacious bathrooms. There are four separate swimming pools, set in landscaped grounds and comfortable padded sun loungers. The hotel also offers a free shuttle to Vilamoura Marina and also Falesia Beach where they have a beach club, sunbeds and umbrellas are reserved at no cost for hotel guests, with showers and toilets also available.

Nabil

The hotel is ok, but the security, especially for a Hilton, is atrocious. During my visit to the hotel's spa, my locker was broken and I’ve just enjoyed the SPA during ONLY 45 minutes. My valuable watch and wallet were stolen. The staff was unable to determine how the individual accessed the locker room, despite the spa having very few clients that day—only 2 or 3. Therefore, I do not recommend this establishment at all. The security of guests and their personal belongings in a hotel of this caliber should be ensured with professionalism, which is absolutely not the case here. As a reputable hotel chain, Hilton has a responsibility to provide a secure environment for its guests. The lack of proper security measures and the staff's inability to manage such incidents reflect poorly on their standards. Guests expect a high level of safety and protection, and this experience clearly shows that Hilton has failed to meet those expectations.

natalie willcox

Great hotel with beautiful rooms. The hidden gem on this trip was the Hamman massage by Miriam from Morocco at the Seven Spa Vilamoura which is attached to the hotel. It blew me away.. lines disappeared from between my brows and my skin felt brand new. It was like a facial, body scrub, head and body massage, pedicure and manicure all in one. I can’t wait to book in again.

claire stidwell

Big resort but not sprawling so easy to navigate. Nice pools apart from the weird uncomfortable gravel finish. It's not got a great deal of personality (50 shades of beige) as you would expect from a Hilton brand golf and conference hotel but ticks all the boxes for a quick and dirty break in the sun.

Paolo Marchetti

If you play golf is the place to be. If you do not play golf, still the place to be. Great reception, fantastic outdoor, very good rooms with terrace, great breakfast. Swimming pool quite good. The only thing, if I havevto say something, is that the whole place is a bit old style in the furniture and atmosphere

Mihaela L

We’ve stayed here for few nights. I wish I could say we had the chance. It was nowhere near that. We got here at 5:30 PM and the room was not ready yet!!!! We had to go away for 2 hours and come back. Finally by 7:30 we checked in. The first night, because we had such a late check in, we were very tired to drive somewhere else so we had dinner at the hotel. We chose to pay it up front and not to put it under the room. This morning, at check out we’ve been told we have to pay for the dinner again. Because we did not have the receipt in handy, we payed AGAIN and left. So people have your receipts ready just in case! Also, they charged us 5 Euro to open a wine bottle. That costs 5 Euro apparently, nowhere on the world did I see something like that! And for the electric cars drivers, forget about it. This “5- star” hotel does not have a charger! Unbelievable! Rooms are clean but outdated. Towels need to be replaced urgently! Breakfast had options. And no, we won’t stay here again nor recommend the place to anyone.

Saqib Malik

It was our first time in the Algarve and we were lucky that we chose this hotel. We rented a car so perfect location for us, all the staff was very friendly, especially Dolores. She helped us a lot with the excursions and what to visit, she always checked on us if everything was ok. The rooms were clean, breakfast was super, pool and pool area was very nice. They did also something special for our son’s birthday. The hotel is on a very calm location and kid friendly, ideal for families. If we will ever come back, Penina hotel will be the one.

Rita Lopes

Good hotel for golfing and a quiet stay for the family. It’s far from the city center chaos, which can be a downside for some. Really nice pool and beautiful gardens. Breakfast was really good.

Michael

Twelve golfers recently returned from Penina.Most had not been for many years. The Hotel was excellent.The staff amazing and food excellent.The Grill restaurant as good as any. Championship Golf course was a great test and back to its former glory.Still some signs of past drought but absolutely fantastic.Will definitely be returning to Penina .Excellent value for money.

Diogo Barbosa

Fantastic place. The apartment was very good, with all the commodities that we needed. Nice balcony to our meals and a full equipped kitchen. The only thing that was less good, was the lack of supervision in the pool. Although there were signs, people still brought their inflatables, games, balls, drinks in a glass an so on. Sometimes you had 3/4 families playing games in the pool from on side to the other. But, overall, it is a fantastic place.

T. Jagger

We enjoyed our week in the apartments here. They are by no means 5 star as described but they were spotless, spacious and the staff were great! The bar/restaurant has great food and the cocktails were brilliant. Unfortunately we had some issues; there seemed to be some damp in one of the bedrooms and the hot water only really worked in the morning. We did not have time to report whilst there but it may be good for the hotel to check the apartment. (20a). The location is slightly out of the way but only a 5 minute drive to the local supermarket and 10 mins to local Villamoura. We would happily stay again!

Macdara Butler

We have been twice and we were very happy but a rental car is a must have to stay during the hot summer months when walking is definitely not an option.

James Skilling

Fantastic apartments equipped with all you could need. Great location for exploring the area. Lovely pool.

M. D.

very clean and comfortable, but a little old long walk from entrance to apartment very little water coming out of shower well equipped kitchen

Dimitrya Kafkova

Fabulous week! We have never visited a more peaceful holiday complex. We used apartment 612. We were with our two children. They are delighted with the pools. And we adults could calmly use the SPA where we were only adults. All the staff were welcoming and kind and went out of their way to please us. Extremely clean place. The kitchen was better equipped than at home. They cleaned our room every day. Water in abundance, consumables of all kinds. And the food in the restaurant... just wonderful. It is worth visiting this place. You won't be wrong. Thanks to all the staff for the positive attitude!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Beth Hudson

Absolutely perfect family holiday. We stayed in the apartments as we like our own space and it was perfect. Very clean, well decorated and the kitchen was great with a washing machine and full oven. It was cleaned daily with new toiletries and water provided which we really appreciated. The beach pool was perfect and we didn't even bother trying the other pools as we loved it so much, would've been great to have the beach bar open but not a big issue at all. My only feedback for the room is there was no full length mirror at all, that was annoying as the bathroom mirrors are high, perhaps one inside a wardrobe door or on the back of the bathroom door would be great.

Kate

Big Cockroaches in the 5-Star Resort I stayed in the apartments section of the resort. On the first night, I saw two cockroaches and alerted the staff via phone. A maintenance person arrived with a spray and broom, and we were assured that we would be moved the next day. However, the following morning, the same person suggested over the phone that a deep cleaning would be done instead. It was only after visiting the reception in person that we were finally moved to another apartment. Overall, they didn't treat it like a big deal. The next night, I woke up because of the noise from cockroaches on the headboard of the bed, resulting in a very restless night. In the morning, I found a few more in the bathroom and kitchen. We decided to book a new place and moved out of the resort. While the resort did compensate us for the unused nights, nothing was done to address our very unpleasant experience during our two nights there. I am very disappointed that there are cockroaches in a 5-star resort and that the staff did nothing about it. I stayed there in June 2023.

Tom Hacohen

This looks like it used to be a beautiful hotel, but now it’s just outdated and neglected (ignore the green grass and tidy rooms in the photos- it doesn’t look like that anymore..). Today it’s lacking attention to detail, and many of its areas and facilities are out of service or just neglected/ dirty. There’s no beach access anymore, and there’s only one pool with food/ drinks. The gym area is super dirty and looks abandoned. But the worst part for us was the kids club- very low maintained facility, no activities, and unwelcoming rode staff(!!) who didn’t attend the kids who stayed there. On the good side the bar and restaurant food and service were really good, and the rooms are big with comfy beds, the main pool is big and spacious.

Daniel Hudson

An amazing hotel! Everyone is really friendly and helpful. Rooms are stunning and spotless. The apartments have everything you need as a family. The apartments are serviced daily. The beach pool is perfect for children. The local are is brilliant also, a short walk to stunning beaches and only a short taxi rise into Lagos. Uber is around €4 to the center of Lagos. The breakfast is brilliant also and worth paying for.

Elaine Coyle

We visited the hotel to use the spa. The whole experience was sublime and beautifully managed by Leonor. She is perfect spa personnel;calm, thoughtful and professionally experienced. The Spa itself is perfect. The system of reserving and having the facilities yours alone make it a luxurious, heavenly experience. The sauna, steam room and jacuzzi all functioned perfectly as you would expect in a hotel of such high standards. An experience I can't wait to repeat.

Stuart Mitchell

We have just returned from spending 3 wonderful weeks at the Iberostar hotel in Lagos this April, the hotel has a calm atmosphere and an elegant appearance inside and out. The hotel is spotless and the rooms are a generous size, ours had a sea view overlooking the lower pool. We were on an all-inclusive basis and ate in the buffet restaurant most days, the choice and freshness of the food was excellent for all meals. Many thanks to Stefan and his team for making tables available and keeping the food and drinks flowing. Staff were always available, friendly and responsive to requests. Drinks are served around the pool during the day and the service is prompt and friendly. We ate from the menu at the poolside bar at lunchtime a few times and the meals were excellent. Many thanks to Mario and his team for whom nothing is too much trouble including making a non-standard cappuccino! The upstairs bar and lounge area is comfortable and includes an outdoor area. The range of drinks available with the all-inclusive package is very good with only a few carrying an extra premium cost. The standard of service is very high, nothing is too much trouble. This was our second stay at this hotel and we will be returning. Regards Stuart Mitchell and Liz Stone

Parisa Taheri

Nice place to stay in Algarve. The pool is really nice. Enough beds. Rich buffet with delicious food. Beautiful room with nice view. Beach access. It’s specially a nice place if you have kids.

Grs Foysal

Very good experience! The staff was amazing and very friendly! The pool and beach animation team were also very enthusiastic and eager to fulfill our experience for the best! The facilities were also very clean and the beach was super close and nice! We wish to go back! Thank you.

Bert Berginov

Great stay - couldn't have asked for more. Pool areas are great. The beach front is quiet and beautiful. Food and service was top notch. The Star Camp was a really pleasant surprise and our kids absolutely loved it (the girls running it are amazing). The city center and a number of scenic beaches / hikes are all within a 10-15 minute drive from the hotel. If you don't have a rental car, there is a trolly stop right outside the hotel. We'll be back!

Harsimren Kaur Aulekh

We stayed here for 9 days and opted for the half-board package. We took the room with sea view and it is absolutely amazing! Overall experience has been absolutely amazing! The people and services are excellent, making our stay truly memorable. We will definitely be returning. A huge thanks to Priscilla, who took great care of us during breakfast and dinner each day. I cannot thank the team enough for their exceptional service.

Helen Eccleston

5 stars across the board. Spectacular views. Excellent service. Great range of restaurants. The resort was fairly quiet considering we went in the height of season, which meant we never had to wait for a table, or wait to be served. Since it has two pools, we almost always had the indoor pool to ourselves. Sky bar and the sushi restaurant were unreal - the ambience is out of this world.

Meredith Hansen

Great spot with incredible views, but for the price, it left something to be desired. We traveled with our toddler - it is definitely a family-oriented hotel, so if you’re looking for peace and quiet at the pool, you may want to look elsewhere. As far as the amenities go, we loved the children’s playground and the pool was great (although worn… the tiles are beginning to fall off). The breakfast was wonderful and the views are breathtaking. The bed was very comfortable but the bathroom was quite small. We enjoyed our stay but 400€ for a room without a view seems excessive to me. We were in the standard double room.

Debbie Carnesecchi

My family and I stayed at your hotel from August 5 to August 9, coming from Tivoli in Lisbon with high expectations of VIP service. Unfortunately, our experience fell short of those expectations. Despite being in a country where most tourists are American and British, many staff members did not speak English, which made service challenging. For example, getting a cold glass of milk for my child at breakfast was nearly impossible due to the language barrier. The pool area was disappointing as well, with numerous missing tiles and insufficient staff for poolside service. We also found that there were never enough towels in the rooms, and while the breakfast selection was extensive, the food quality was lacking. We expected daily complimentary bottled water, as we had received at Tivoli in Lisbon, but this was not provided. More importantly, the staff’s demeanor was less than welcoming and accommodating compared to the Tivoli in Lisbon. However, I must commend Luminnata from the concierge team, who was exceptional. She was warm, friendly, and attentive, addressing all our concerns promptly. She ensured we had fresh water nightly, arranged for cold milk for my son, provided extra towels, and even sent complimentary treats. Her service truly reflected the Tivoli brand. Overall, while the hotel boasts beautiful views and a prime location near the town and local caves, I feel it falls short of the Tivoli standard and does not justify the premium price.

David Will

Amazing place , everything and I mean everything was perfect. The staff are exceptional, everyone we met was smiling helpful and attentive. The hotel pool staff were amazing, longs hours fetching drinks and food with a smile. The very second you even remotely looked in need of something they were there . The bar staff were jolly and absolutely spot on even with big orders of multiple drinks.Breakfast was amazing, everything you could wish for. This is a very luxurious hotel and we will be regularly visiting in future.

Joanna Wielgat

Overall we had great stay but reading other reviews is depend what you looking for in your holidays. Location is excellent for birdwatching, hiking, running, cycling , beach. Nothing else around just nature :) so if you like to party is definitely not for you. Room ( 452 ) nice and large we paid extra for sea view over £ 200pp which was definitely overpriced Should be advertised as limited. Food was good both breakfast and dinners downside was that there was not even free water or soft drinks with dinner inc with price. Also after ordering drinks at the dinner you had to queue to pay I found this bit odd. Water in the hotel was free ( 2 bottles) but only at the arrival and there was no water fountain this meant we had to buy lots of water in plastic bottles:( There was little shop in the hotel ( water , sweets) And small supermarket 10 min walk from the hotel. Great path leading to other town ( walking approximately 45min, cycling )

eli kh

Do not waste your money in this hotel! You don't get water anywhere, the hotel gives you a small bottle of water on the first day (never in a 5 star resort) and that's it. There was not Interesting and fun program for 5 star hotel Pool you need a swim cap just puts you off and they charge 5€. The evening meals at the buffet were not 5-star standard. The food was disgusting, tastless and not many options . we will never back to this hotel Do not book this hotel, there are much nicer and better options to spend your money on. Do not waste your money in this hotel!

Peter Amaral

Great experience. Nice hotel, VidaMar Resort Algarve. We stayed with our 2 years old daughter for 1 week. + great location; + good infrastructures; + 3 outdoor, 1 indoor pools; + 10 min walking to the beach 🏖️ + well prepared for events, like weddings 💒 - if you don’t come all inclusive, be prepared for the overall high price of drinks and beverages; - pools need a bit more cleaning (often) some sand and debris can be found at the kids pool; - pools deck needs a bit more maintenance. Some of the floor rips are falling off. - Sometimes we can feel smoke from the bar coming to the swimming pool, wich is not pleasant at all. Specially under this hot weather.. - only 1 Thematic restaurant. A Pizzeria, wich is not allowed for children under 6 years old. Pizza is the favorite food for Kids. We didn’t even visit because of this restriction. Sad to see this as is. My daughter would have loved some pizza, wich is never enough for her 🙃 - a 5 star is really at the limit. There are some details need adjustment, on my view. But overall, I rated max score because I am sure you will find a very peaceful and great location for your Holiday here. We are happy, and the weather really helped us 👍 Hotel staff was very helpful and could always find solution to our claims/requests.

Phil Lakey

We booked a meal for four in the Italian restaurant. Food excellent Service excellent Environment excellent Really enjoyable meal and experience. We did not use the hotel. Only comments I would make is a bit strange that children under 10 years old are not allowed in, but further to this the menu advertised a children's menu choice ??

justin White

Excellent hotel resort in a good beach location. Beautiful rooms with amazing views. Good customer service throughout by all staff. Hotel amenities were good but didn't try the outdoor pools & bar due to bad weather. Highly recommended!

esha karia

Food is very poor for a 5 star hotel. Same food every day for lunch and then reused by the pool and dinner. Not an all inclusive as certain dishes and drinks have to be paid for. Bottles of water not provided and when asked takes a lot of arguing. The restaurant they have supposedly needed a 5 day advance booking which is ridiculous. staff even informed us management hated opening it and preferred guests using the cold buffet option instead. On our last day was told that they didn't have any shampoo left in the entire hotel, absolutely shocking when paying 2 thousand pounds. No bar snacks such as crisps or peanuts, once again shows the lack of 'all inclusive'. Also found it incredibly strange for a hotel to not have a live egg counter with omelette once again costing extra. the shower in the room was leaking and the hair dryer did not work. I would say staff was very attentive however management was incredibly rude and refused to show face when asked. my family did not eat for 4 days in this hotel and had to go to restaurants else where costing us even more money. this hotel is not worth anywhere near the money we paid, such a waste. for anyone looking to book avoid and book a different one!

Tom Mowl

It’s a great location 10 mins away from the old town taxis and Ubers are very reliable. Food basic but that should be expected at an all inclusive. The staff where so lovely. The two pools are very large and ones deep ones not. The kids club put on activities that everyone can get involved with the service for drinks at dinner is brilliant. A different cocktail of the day is a lovely touch as well.

Taylor Holman

Room was fantastic, service was great A bit of early apprehension from the reception staff it seems like as a hotel they have perhaps had some bad experiences in the past Pool bar staff were fantastic and no squeeze for space or having to go early for sun loungers My only other criticism is the food allergens in the restaurant. No clear labelling of allergens and whenever you ask staff it’s like they’re guessing/don’t have a clue. I would’ve thought in compliance with EU regulations there would be clear labelling of 12 allergens, given they have a label for every dish it would be fairly easy to don

Michael McQuaid

The hotel for the most part fulfils its function. The reality is that this is not a five start hotel - I would go as far as saying that the hotel is a four star - and that is being polite. The hotel needs renovations and work to bring it up to a five star standard. The all inclusive, while acceptable, is not benefiting of a five star hotel. There are no bottles of water in the eating area. You are entitled to one bottle of water per day from the housekeeping. When it’s 30C+ outside, that isn’t good enough, I’m afraid. I’m also convinced that the water in the restaurant is tap water. For a five star hotel, that is unacceptable. If the food element could be fixed to have less basic food and more of an effort on fresh food — it would be fantastic. There is a pool and a spa — this is good and the alcohol selection isn’t bad at all for an All Inclusive. The bar staff, especially at the main bar — do what they can to make sure you are happy. The main stumbling block for us was the beds. Myself and my wife developed back pain within 24 hours. This was not rectified during our stay and the housekeeping manager put a “small mattress” on our bed. This was extremely disappointing and it should have been rectified. Location wise, this is a great hotel — close to everything and an Uber is very cheap. If the hotel management can fix the quality of food, offer bottles of water and improve the in room elements such as bedding, we would be closer to a five star. Unfortunately- it doesn’t cut it at the moment. I would recommend this hotel to families — especially those with younger children. If you are an adult looking for a five star experience — look somewhere else. What you pay and what you get is just not acceptable in 2024. Finally - WiFi is excellent.

Ali Nashwan

Overall it was a very good stay at the hotel, we absolutely loved it and the service was superb. There was some reviews in the past regarding the repetitive food options at the buffet, however in my experience that was deemed to be untrue, the food was really good with plenty of options throughout the day. The only drawback would be the fact that for a 5 star hotel the rooms were very outdated, they would definitely benefit from remodeling and renovations.

Rhys Adams

We had an amazing stay at the Wyndham Grand Algarve in Quinta Do Lago, we were super impressed with our large suite which had two bathrooms, living area, dressing room and even a kitchen. The fridge was even stocked with water and soft drinks, along with a coffee station. The hotel itself was excellent, friendly staff were on hand and the buffet breakfast was one of the best we’ve had in a while. Top tip, get down early for breakfast as the room soon fills up and queues form. Location wise it is perfect, easy walk to the ice cream place and supermarket. Parking is included but the underground car park feels like you are on a driving challenge. We had a large car and negotiating the pillars and tight spaces was tough. We really enjoyed the hotel and this will our future preference when we return again to the region.

Ian Carrington

Great hotel for families. The suites are stylish and very large. The pool is a good size and never too busy. The staff are very polite and professional. They added a table tennis table this year in the garden which was a great addition.

Darren Brockwell

I love this hotel. I've stayed here for a couple of months and it was a perfect experience. The staff are ALL such great people and are always kind and helpful. The XXL restaurant is very good too and has a great bunch of people working there. The hotel facilities are all great and maintained in good order. Room service is great, spa is great, pool great. The management is very good. A real credit to the Wyndham brand, made exceptional by the people.

James Young

This hotel is one of our favourite, the staff, rooms, food, and location is 5star! We visit with our children but would love this hotel as a couple as well. The restaurant food was amazing, the pool is kept clean with lots of space, all the staff are attentive throughout the hotel.

Fiona Tuite

We have just finished our week long stay at the Wyndham Grand Algarve for the first time. The interior is so beautifully designed, with its clean and modern style. I was impressed with the high level of service and friendly nature of all the staff, including housekeeping. As a family with a toddler, we were a bit worried about how this hotel would compare to a different 5 star favourite of ours as this one is a bit more remote. But the Wyndham has many positives, though some aspects did not feel like a 5 star standard. The room was very clean, modern and stylish like the rest of the resort. It was huge and we loved the long windows. My only issues were with the very narrow wardrobe that barely fit the clothes my husband and I wanted to hang up. Also, one of the toilets was leaning to one side and they creaked when sitting on them which was irritating at night time especially. There was no fan in the bathroom and one of the remote controls didn't work for the TV. The food was tasty and mostly of a high standard (I had one negative breakfast experience). It would have been great if there was a buffet style dinner option at the hotel, especially for families with young children. Also, we got a bit fed up with the bar menu. It is basically the same for lunch and dinner and the other more formal restaurant wasn't an option as it was not suitable for our two year old daughter. They should have either a different dinner menu OR a an evening buffet option. The pool facilities were good. My daughter loved it but we would have liked one of the pools to be heated. The kids club was a great service as although our daughter was too young to be left with the staff, we were able to keep her entertained and supervise her ourselves in the play room and playground area. This proved to be a great asset when the weather was too poor for pool activities! This resort is more suitable for adults and having a car is handy.

James Wyndham

Stephan and the team looked after us beautifully for our brief and enjoyable stay. The location of the resort is super with direct beach access. The rooms are large and spacious. - and the gardens are world class. You start the day with an extensive breakfast buffet. Thank you again, we’ll be back !!

Anny Justin

The room was never cleaned, the staff was unhelpful and unfriendly, the amenities were mostly closed. Good for a budget/economy family friendly stay. Do not stay under the assumption of a decent 5 star hotel. Closer to a dirty unkept holiday inn experience.

James Myers

We stayed at this hotel with a group of friends. Thoroughly impressed overall. Spacious, clean, comfortable room with pleasant balcony looking over the gardens and hotel. Service generally, couldn’t be faulted. Some of the pool staff were not particularly attentive but the food and drinks menu were exceptional. We used to spa on the last day whilst we got ready to depart which was also really nice. Superb experience. Thanks!

Sarah T

Nice hotel big space and clean, my partner and I loved the spa and our room was big and modern The only issue is that when there was a check in only one person was at the desk while which created a huge queue which lead to many guests being frustrated. I would advise there be at least two people at reception always so this doesn’t happen again as it doesn’t give a good first impression. We also didn’t get a tour of the hotel which was disappointing as all the five star hotels we have been to had always given a tour. Also the cleaner would leave our door open sometimes forgetting to close the door behind her and even left her key card in our hotel card holder.

Jia Wen Leong

Spacious room, splendid breakfast. Marcio (possibly the night manager) and Cristina from reception were really helpful in terms of sorting transportation and making restaurant reservations. Spa employees are friendly and in general speak better English than front desk employees… Overall a great stay. We found ourselves staying in hotel ground more than hitting the beach. You can bolt anywhere without problem. There’s only 3 shuttle going to and back from town and the timing is odd, definitely space for improvement. P/S: go for an early morning walk and watch sunrise! (Exit to beach and turn left) Thank me later ;)

Michelle Adams

We had an amazing stay at this resort. We booked for our honeymoon and I had mentioned this in the initial booking form. To our surprise when we had arrived we had been given a complimentary upgrade. Our suite was amazing!! The decor was superb, the rose petals on the bed, chocolate and sparking wine. You made our experience and time so wonderful. The staff were super helpful, friendly and attentive throughout. We are both missing the breakfast buffet so much now that we have returned home. We also ate dinner at one of the restaurants upon arrival and the buffet had a great selection of food and my partner who is vegan was well catered for too. The grounds are stunning and we had enjoyed a lovely evening dip, the temperature of the pool was perfect. We would love to return one day, and we highly recommend this hotel. Thank you so much!!

Max Chen

The beach is beautiful, there is a fake beach if you don’t want to walk the short walk, there is a swimming pool but not enough sun beds. The food is amazing, fresh fruits and juice, and service is incredible. The rooms have beautiful views from every side, the cleaners do a perfect job, and balconies are just the right size. Very nice hotel, must come here.

Gareth Clubb

Really enjoyed our family break to Domes Lake Algarve. We stayed 10 nights, half board, in the One Bedroom Residence. I'm still none the wiser how the Residence differs from the Marriott, I get the sense it wasn't as well maintained and cleaning wasn't perfect but it was nice to have the space and utilities of a 'home'. I'd recommend the resort to anyone looking at Vilamoura - it offered amazing grounds and facilities away from the hustle and bustle of the main marina but still right next door and close to all activities. Highlights: - Lovely swimming pools for all ages especially the sand/beach one. - Seagulls kept away with a bird of prey. - Amazing grounds with lake and wildlife. - Great selection of activities for kids and grownups (we did tennis, kayaking, golf and more). - Food was really good. Buffet and pool bar offered great choice and was always high quality. - Staff were all incredibly friendly and welcoming. Some niggles: - Everyone loves to reserve a sunbed. Most gone by 9:30am. - Inflatables and toys strewn across the pools and never collected, made for a messy sight. - Milk for coffee never replaced when finished. - Residence not as well looked after as main building. - Sofa bed was pretty uncomfortable (I made do with extra blankets under the mattress!)

Thao Lieu

Wonderful resort with very helpful staff. The breakfast was great, with a good variety of drinks, fresh fruit, meats, cheeses, and made to order omelet station. The pool areas were great, we never felt it was too crowded. Would highly recommend this property!

Mark O'Neill

2nd time here and it has been every bit as good as the first. Mostly it’s the staff who make this such an exceptional hotel, they are universally excellent. Add to that the great location, facilities and the overall feeling of quality make this the perfect location for your holiday, short break or winter escape.

Thomas

Our stay at the W Algarve was nothing short of sensational. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like VIPs, with every request effortlessly and graciously fulfilled. The entire hotel staff greets you with a smile at every turn. The rooms are checked and cleaned multiple times a day, and the entire property is impeccably maintained. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind, as the outstanding service takes care of everything for you. We highly recommend this hotel and would be thrilled to spend another vacation here.

Mary Ann

We stayed in many places in Portugal; this was a 5-star experience. The motto was 'whatever, whenever,' and the staff meant it. The service was impeccable and much needed after the previous stays throughout different towns. The hotel amenities were great. It was worth visiting the pool and nearby beach for a walk (shuttle provided). The restaurants on site were all good as well. The breakfast was worth waking up for. Housekeeping and turn-down services are also provided. My two negatives: There was no in-room mini fridge for my meds, so I had to have ice in the mini cooler (which is not the correct temperature for meds). Most other hotels were able to accommodate an in-room mini fridge for this. The check-in takes time, which is a little too much. The rooms are large and come with lots of high-tech features. Welcome champagne and cookies upon arrival. It was a lovely experience, and I will return.

Will

I stayed at the W for two nights recently and it was a great experience. I was travelling with a large group and the hotel made the stay fantastic. Lovely room, very well equipped, even with a steamer and Bluetooth Bose speaker in the room! Staff throughout the hotel couldn’t do enough for you and always there to assist. The Market Kitchen food was always excellent and the breakfast omelettes are wow! Pool and pool bar really good, lots of loungers so no risk of being left without one. The beach nearby can be accessed by a five minute walk. Overall a superb experience and I can see it would be a great family hotel too as everything you need is there.

mohammad alosaimi

Do yourself a favor and book with breakfast, it’s really not to be missed amazing selections and everything taste soo good. The omelette bar is to die for. The hotel is more than I expected I am very familiar with the W brand but this one is the perfect balance between hip and family friendly the pool is perfect if not a bit on the cold side but the pool staff are attentive and at your service. Definitely a place I am returning to

Kevin Kim

The hotel was an amazing experience. I did not want to leave!! From the moment we arrived everyone was super friendly and welcoming. Valet was very attentive and fast with helping you. Shout out to Mac our receptionist who welcomed us. He took the time to explain everything the hotel had to offer and was super nice overall. Rooms were clean and had everything that we needed. Barely had to request anything from the front desk. Room service food was good and fast. Pool was amazing, plenty of chairs to lounge and had a nice selection of food and drinks at sip@wet Recommend the poke bowl and their frozen drinks. Short walk to the beach to watch the sunset. Also had a shuttle to a different beach if you wanted to do that. Recommend the paper moon for dinner. The gym was my favorite part. Well equipped with free weights and cardio machines to get a solid workout in. They also have live bands certain nights and have the fountain light show daily. I will definitely be coming back. The staff made the experience great here. Would recommend to anyone looking for a place to stay in the area.

Abha A

This was our fourth visit to the hotel in July and it did not disappoint at all. I emailed the hotel before for a restaurant booking and some extra things for the room and everything was how i asked for it. The pool were as cold as ever and a little bit of heat is probably needed. There is always plenty of food and drink available all day everyday, including ice creams! The restaurants at the hotel are great. Special thanks to Chef Manpreet Singh who would always be there every evening. He was very helpful, especially with my daughter who had an egg allergy. His knowledge of food was brilliant, and remembered us from previous visits. The entertainment was good and I know it could have been better. On previous visits my child had bonded with two members of staff who have been there in the kids club for a long time now (i am sorry i do not remember their names, the lady runs the camp night) when attending the children's club and they remembered her like they do with every child who returns. There are a few animal shows, now I may not agree with the fact that they store the reptiles in a plastic container without holes in it but just kept away from it. The animal shows have the potential to be amazing but they need better care of some of the animals. It is definitely a place I would return as my child loves it.

Ben Drayton

Attentive staff. Good food and drinks, with something for everyone. Water slides are great for the kids (age 3 and up) Some great sunset views. I can see why some couples may avoid the hotel, but after all it has a children's water play area and slides on site, so it is going to attract more families with kids. That is the exact reason we chose it.

Deborah Williams

The hotel and staff are amazing. The rooms are big ,it's very clean and all the staff are friendly. It's perfect for families and couples as there is a quiet pool area. The food was lovely and the all inclusive drinks were good and definitely not watered down. They have everything you need for a great holiday. I would definitely be going back

Some One

We enjoyed our stay here last week. The staff are very accommodating. Our son have allergies and they are very considerate and accommodate his dietary needs. Not much activities for the little ones though but otherwise we had fun. We will definitely come back!

Laura

Lovely 5 star hotel. Great location. Reception was very friendly and helpful. We went all-inclusive. Food was lovely but found it lacked variation. Is great for children tho. Rooms were very clean and cleaned on a daily basis. Myself and my daughter had a spa day and it was very relaxing. Different entertainment every night for children. Children's pool is great but the water in all the pools is freezing.Free bus available everyday to bring you to old town or the beach. Only a few minutes walk to the strip. Be prepared to be having your cocktails in small plastic cups.

nadia makni

Just had an amazing stay at Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort! The rooms were spacious and modern, and the staff couldn't have been friendlier. We enjoyed the variety of delicious dining options and the beautiful pool areas. Perfect for a relaxing and luxurious getaway – highly recommend! PS : Try the Thai pop up best Thai food I ever had !

Fred Ahern

We booked Anantara having visited the hotel in Oman for a dinner and thinking it was one of the best hotels that we had seen. We therefore had decided that we couldn’t go far wrong, however we were very disappointed. We paid £2500 for 6 nights. The website makes the pool look beautiful, and looking out over an amazing golf-course. However this is old. This golf course is currently a building site. There is not a single patch of grass to be seen. What you can see is diggers and rollers as far as the eye can see building the new golf course. As an added bonus you get all of the dust and noise of a building site while you try and relax by the pool. This had been the case for 3 months already and will be the case for a further few months. The hotel knows this. They deliberately do not let prospective guests know this as otherwise you would not book. The website had boasted adult only pool, eating areas and other facilities. Unfortunately this is not the reality. Large numbers of the families from the family side come over to the adult side every morning and set up camp for the day. The pool regularly had children playing ball games etc. It also meant that the sun loungers were at full capacity at all time. There are no adult only eating areas. It isn’t really possible to have a romantic, or intimate dinners. There were children in the gym, in the lounge by the bar, in all the restaurants and by the pool. The only children free area was the adult rooms. We decided to go for the half-board option at the hotel. The Anantara Vilamoura fell short again. The salad bar, cheese bar, and cold meats are all fantastic, but beyond that the food is more akin to school dinners. The meat, fish and vegetables have all pretty much been sitting hot for hours (especially if you try and eat late to avoid the crèche). The meat and fish was always dry, and the vegetables were grey and soggy. It was underwhelming enough that we ate out on 2 of our nights that we were there despite having paid for dinner. We were told that drinks weren’t included (not an issue given my wife was pregnant and i was choosing not to drink alcohol with her). However when we were charged 14 EUR on the first night for a singular bottle of water i was pretty shocked. They assured me that as it was Panna water this was definitely worth it. Given that a bottle costs roughly 2EUR this seemed ridiculous. We brought our own water going forward. My wife has Coeliac disease and is therefore allergic to gluten. This is especially dangerous when pregnant. At the restaurant they kindly mark up what allergens are in each item in the buffet. However further investigation highlighted that these were not correct. On two occasions we had plates of food taken off us after we just decided to check that they didn’t have gluten in. We were assured on 3 consecutive nights that they would rectify this on the subsequent night, but eventually they gave up and put a sign up in the entrance saying that if you have any allergens you must declare it when you enter and meet directly with the chef. This seems crazy. These meals are charged at EUR50 per head per night. I will leave you to decide if it is worth it. On the positives - the rooms were beautiful and very well set up. The reception and porter staff were charming and very helpful, and, if you eat late in the evening, the restaurant was, if anything, OVER attentive once you were at your table (be prepared to be offered drinks c.5 times in your first 5 mins of sitting). We are generally not big complainers at hotels, we don’t view ourselves as hotel critics or having particularly difficult tastes. However, we felt that we had over-paid for this trip and been mis-sold what we were getting. We are young(ish) and had splashed out a lot on a big holiday that fell quite a long way short of what we were hoping for. Our friends and family have been shocked when we told them that it was an Anantara hotel, given the reputation.

Therese Brorsson

We checked in today and it was below all of my expectations. Since we were early we where offered to go to the pool. The kids pool area looks nothing like the adult area. It's looks like a budget hotel area with dirty sunbeds. We ordered lunch and got served nothing that can be compared to 5 star hotel restaurants. My ceasar sallad was uneatable. The taste was just of anchovies and I had to send it back. My son ordered fish stick and was served some precooked fish sticks that you can buy at Aldi or Lidl. Even though nothing was homemade it was still high priced. We went to the sunbeds and didn't get any service. The toilets was not clean and without toilet paper. The bartender in the lobby area was unable to make a virgin pina colada since it was 90% pineapple juice. Our room was over 30 minutes late and while we got there the shower was full of mold. Later on the late housekeeping continously rang on the door at 9 o'clock while I was in the shower and my kids was sleeping. Who has housekeeping that late on the family area? Since I was in the shower I couldn't open but that didn't stop them from opening the door and after that thet didn't close it properly. Please do your self a favor and book Domes Lake instead. We stayed there the last time and they definitely work harder for their 5 stars.

Vanessa owers

I’ve been to Portugal a few times and haven’t found a hotel that I’ve really liked that I would go back to. However, I cannot wait to stay in the Anantara again. Me and my partner loved it. The food was great, location was great (especially because we are both golfers) and what made it extra special was the staff. The cleaners were so lovely and they come in a few times a day and make sure everything is stocked up in the fridge. I found the staff really cared about their guests and tbh that can be rare to find. So well done to everyone’s team work. What a lovely holiday we had.

Jo Barker

We’ve just got back from a week here, so disappointing and not what you’d expect from a 5 star. Pools were freezing, no childrens activities were put on even though they had a list of what they’d do each day. Walls in the hotel were grubby and need a good repaint and carpet was what you’d expect to see in a premier inn. Construction drilling going on and not told when booking or when arriving at the hotel. Steps everywhere outside with no ramp access to certain parts of the pool so very unfriendly for pushchairs/ disabled. Wouldn’t return especially if you have children, it’s not child friendly.

June Burton

What a lovely family friendly bar. Owner Bruno and his staff are amazing and make you feel very welcome. Would definitely recommend.

nina wlk

--- Dearest gentle readers, It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of an establishment that has recently left me most disappointed. The Blue Star Karaoke Bar, promising a night of frivolity and melodic revelry, fell gravely short of even the most modest expectations. The evening began on a sour note as my companions and I were informed that participation in their karaoke required the purchase of a shot. While one might tolerate such a stipulation, it certainly sets an unpleasant tone for the night. Undeterred, we acquiesced, eager to share our voices with the seemingly empty bar. Imagine our dismay when, after our first song, we were left to wait an interminable length of time for our next turn. Despite the bar being nearly deserted, the staff displayed a remarkable indifference to our plight. The dance floor beckoned, and soon our merriment drew the attention of a few gentlemen, and the bar began to fill—not due to the bar's allure, but our own infectious spirit. And yet, this newfound busyness seemed to be a concept lost on the staff. They claimed the delay in our turn was due to the increasing activity, a situation directly attributable to our own presence. The irony, dear readers, was not lost on us. When finally our song was set to play, we were informed it would be the last of the evening. Prepared to make the most of it, we took the stage, only to have our moment stolen away. An audacious lady of the staff saw fit to rip the microphone from our hands, and to add insult to injury, she began to sing our song—none other than "Diamonds" by our queen, Rihanna. In conclusion, the Blue Star Karaoke Bar is a stage better left empty. One can only hope that the management tunes their approach, lest they find themselves singing to an ever-dwindling audience. Yours in disillusionment, Lady Whistledown ---

Anton Wandrum

Bruno, Emily and the rest of the staff couldn’t do more for you. The place is sooo cheap. €3 for a pint of local beer. It doesn’t matter what football match you want to watch. If you ask, they’ll probably be able to get it on for you. I asked for the Celtic game, which is difficult for bars in the UK to display, never mind Portugal. Honestly, if you’re making a trip to Albufeira. Check this place out!!!

Joanne Bell

Well where do I start!! Had the best time in Blue Star Cafe staff where just amazing, big shout out to Emily and the lads you really made us feel like old friends, Drinks promos where brilliant (but dangerous 😂) 5.50€ pint+shot+ jagerbomb!! 5 stars 🌟 all round from the Sunday Club, can't wait to get back again!!

Grainne Holo

We had a wonderful time here watching the rugby here. Ireland got hammered by the Welsh. The welsh fans in the pub were very good about it. We had a bit of banter with them. We had a yummy sandwich while we were there. The staff were really great, good fun.

Andrew Morgan

I visited friends who were staying in a villa long term. While very spacious, the space was wasted. Only two bedrooms, it could have accommodated at least one more. Huge open areas with no apparent use, but a smallish kitchen. Includes a washing machine and dishwasher, but with no hot water to either of them. This was particularly a problem with the washing machine. My friends told me the staff were very helpful and pleasant. The very nearby beach was beautiful, but in February I can only tell you that the walk along it was wonderful. Far too cold to swim. There are a surprising number of good places to eat nearby, but many were closed in the offseason.

Afonso Pinheiro

I would advise anyone with 5 star expectations to run from this place. Good: spacious, great pool, good location, parking I’m still here and I regret this choice a lot: staff in not educated at all; coffee machine works with company pods, and you need to pay 1€ per pod; walls needing to be painted; mattress is hard; living room tv not working; kitchen missed some key elements They forgot to clean the villas (something I find ridiculous)

Tome Stanic

We have been busting the place with a small baby. It has been outside the season, however the staff have been very friendly and supportive. The accommodation is well equipped for daily life and close to the beach (3 min). It’s a beautiful place, care taken and invites for a revisit. Nice hotel nearby with great buffet for breakfast or dinner if once you are lazy to use your own kitchen.

Amit Saini

Issues: 1. No service to assist with luggage 2. Phone system in room didn’t work 2. Rooms were cold. Heaters for the living area didn’t work. We complained a few times before action was taken. 3. Kitchen fridge was not cleaned. Smell of fish gone bad when opening the door. To their credit, they fixed #3 and attempted to fix #2. Will update review if staff move us to another room at the main hotel. Not a fan of the villas here.

Tom Curic

Vila with private pool in golf resort 50m from sea! Beautiful gated community!

Supriya Gupta

I went there with my husband and daughter. We have special food requirement as a Hindu vegetarian. They really served us very well the chef duty, the chef who made lasagna and pizza the bartender at salty bar and near swimming pool were amazing. The staff was really very humble And The help us beyond their capacity. The place is really amazing. I would like to go there again in again. The staff is well professional and dedicated to their job. Their motto is to serve the customer thank you guys for making this trip memorable.

Darren Barker

Coming to the end of our stay here and must say it has been a fantastic time. From the rooms which although compact have absolutely everything that you need. Including the little touches (coffee machine, mini fridge). The food has been outstanding with different themes every evening. Always something to satisfy the most awkward diet. Staff always helpful and polite. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

Rebekah Rothwell

Just got back from our honeymoon with our toddler in toe to Portugal Alvor Tivoli hotel. The resort was perfect. All the staff from cleaners to front desk to the waiters were so helpful and friendly! They were really accommodating. The On site nurse was also really helpful when I cut my toe open she was lovely! Easy to book at the restaurants food was lovely. Toddler loved the kids splash park, always plenty of sun beds free. The little train to the town so super cute and the town was really quirky. About a 20 minute walk to the beach. One of the best all inclusive I've been too! We would love to go back!!! The only negative we had was the 3pm check in. We arrived at 12 and after a long day travelling with a toddler we could have benefited from an earlier check in. Other than that can't fault it. 5*****

Paul Goff

A brilliant holiday had here. I stayed in a family room for 4 people, and was a bit cramped, however the showers were great and house keeping excellent. It was very busy and had a great atmosphere. An improvement could be finding a way to reduce queues and stop the dreaded towels being left on Sun loungers, so those people who actually want to use them can. Food was varied and tasty! I highly recommend.

Bruno Barbosa

When I got to my room after checking-in, I noticed that the cleaning was not as expected for a 5 stars hotel, which then reduced my expectations for the coming days. After a few days, my trust was rebuilt by the nice staff, nice food, green spaces around each building, nice swimming pools, animation team, the walkways, etc... the bedroom size is ok, the sound isolation from other rooms was quite good since I barely noticed when people were coming out or coming into the neighbor bedrooms or even if the bedrooms were occupied. This was really a good point. The restaurants had nice food with good dishes, with a lot of good fruit choices. The swimming pools were nice and has one exclusively for adults, which is really good for those who want to have some more peaceful time. One thing that was really disappointed was the fact that the small train to the beach has a single stop and not in the best beach in the surroundings, this should definitely be improved by changing the stop location or by adding more stops on the way. Thanks for the nice vacation.

Tamanna Sethi

Rooms are very large and spacious. Very good price for a 5 star hotel. Good parking space for cars, very good breakfast options (not the same options every day). The staff was friendly at reception. You have to pay for the indoor pool/spa. I wish it was open later than 8pm especially since we are paying for it per person. The “hot tub” was actually colder than the actual pool. The beach is walkable, but it’s definitely more than 10 mins away which is what we were told by reception. We missed sunset because of the timing it took to walk there. Second day we drove there. Overall I do recommend this hotel especially for the price. We didn’t eat dinner there (buffet was 32 euros per person). There are lots of other restaurants nearby.

Andy Hutchins

Great location to stay next to the golf course and has adequate space to tuck yourself away during the day. There are a LOT of children here , which causes issues in the evenings for the entertainment area, with seating and queues for the all inclusive bar ( and we went out of school holidays. Great if you have children, but never seen so many at a hotel in my life in May!!

Anna Plaza

I have never been so happy to check out of a hotel before. I am not sure how there are so many positive reviews. The only positive was that we got a suite so our daughter was in a different room - the negative to this was the price we paid. The rooms are dated and have scratches on the walls. The tiles in the kiddie pool are loose and falling out. Do not expect this to be a 5 star hotel. I had very low expectations, since it is an all inclusive and they usually aren’t the best. This managed to be worse than my expectations. This was a waste of $4,000. If you want a true 5 star experience at an all inclusive, stay at an Ikos resort. Unfortunately, there are no Ikos in Portugal.

tarik kerdoudi

I had an absolutely wonderful family stay at the beautiful Nau Salgados Palace hotel. The staff was incredibly pleasant and accommodating throughout our visit. In particular, Joanna at the reception stood out with her exceptional professionalism and attention to detail. Her warm demeanor and efficient service made our stay even more enjoyable. The hotel's ambiance, amenities, and the level of hospitality exceeded our expectations. We're already looking forward to our next visit. Thank you for providing such a memorable experience!

Nitesh Khanna

We had an amazing experience at Nau Salgados Palace. We (a family of 4 i.e 2 adults, a 9 year old and an year old toddler) spent 4 nights at this property with all inclusive option. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and each aspect of this hotel made us feel special. Food and drinks served were totally worth the money spent. On demand food on our special requests like Vegetarian Pizza with our selected veggies, pasta as per our taste, Egg white omelettes during breakfast were served fresh as or when asked for. Hotel staff across different departments were extremely professional, polite & friendly. I would like specially mention below serving staff working in the All in One restaurant at Level 1 who were extremely kind, polite, warm and friendly throughout every meal we had in these 4/5 days : Ruth Ajay Krrish Sahil (at 19th Hole) Raissa Rebeca Solange Big thanks to these guyz for the amazing service. I would love to come again to Albufeira for another holidays in future and will choose this property again. Regards, Family Khanna

John Deacon

The staff are the backbone of this hotel; attentive, cheerful and willing to go the extra mile. The setting is superb and the beach and pool of an excellent standard. However, the rooms are a little dated. The location is pretty much ideal with shopping a short taxi ride away and an array of excellent restaurants.

Rhys Adams

My wife booked this break with British Airways as my birthday present and whilst we did have a few issues with the booking due to it being 2 adults, 1 child and 1 infant, with rooms being a maximum of 3 people, it was all sorted for us on arrival. The hotel did not disappoint being welcomed by lovely staff, that stayed lovely throughout the stay. Our room was very spacious despite it being the bottom option and felt the room felt very luxurious. The bed itself was so comfortable with soft mattress and lovely feeling duvets. Breakfast was a delight, again the staff made us feel very welcome, even though we had children. We didn’t feel looked upon, like we have done in other luxury 5-star hotels. The grounds are perfect and you can walk down the front to the lagoon and there is a play area for the children. Pool was amazing with both an adults section and a warm one kids. Really recommend this place!

André

An amazing location with a beautiful scenic garden, quick access to the beach and great walkway. The pool has a nice outdoor and indoor pool, gym, spa, outside bistro, bar and great Restaurant! Service is friendly, helpful and very accommodating. The dedicated beach loungers and Airport shuttle are a great convenience.

Jane Halsall

Love this hotel and stay every year. Outstanding

Joanne Rawcliffe

Love this hotel. Lovely friendly staff from arriving to leaving. Gorgeous rooms with lovely views.

J. H.

We (family of 4) are trying to be there once a year. Basically it‘s the perfect place to escape German winter, for a bit and enjoy algarve sun and relax. In off-season it seems perfectly busy, but not too much. You can eat at a restaurant and have your kids play in front of it on a playground jumping on a trampoline for example. The beautiful beach right in front is gorgeous. A bunch of activities are available, depending on your faible. We usually book halfboard and enjoy not taking care of our own meals. The breakfast menu is just great and even there, the kids can play in a dedicated (staffed) playing corner. We love everything at Martinhal and always meet great people!

Cedric Le Perff

Fantastic experience for family. Parents can enjoy delicious food and wine, do activities by themselves while kids truly enjoy the kids club. First time that holidays get their meaning back since being parents. Perfect location next to a beautiful beach. Lot of cycling possibilities around. Sport center on the beach. Rooms are huge and fully equipped and some have amazing view on the sea.

Marcio Pezzo

If you are considering staying at the Martinhal for the first time, please bear two things in mind: It is very windy, not a summer breeze, but a constant gust of wind that keeps things flying around. And the temperature is usually 10 to 15 degrees lower than in other Algarve cities, so you'll probably need a jumper in the early morning or late afternoon, even in July or August. Having said that, the hotel itself is nice, the accommodation is what you would expect, although we had problems with the shower (no pressure and fluctuating temperature), changed rooms but the problem persisted. The staff are great, especially with children, who have plenty to do. In short, the hotel is very good but the location is quite challenging.

Will Bickford Smith

Well set up resort with great views. Beach rooms are the best located. Great Padel tennis courts. Exclusively for families - not appropriate for travellers without children (no adults pool). 35 min walk into town, which has some good restaurants. Access to a car would be preferable.

Sp

Marthinhal Sagres is NOT a 5-star hotel and falls short in every aspect. The service is BAD. The staff are poorly trained, unhelpful, and unaccommodating. For instance, they couldn't direct me to the football field. - I had to ask 3 different staff members because no one had a clue. Another example, I arrived five minutes before the kids club was supposed to start, and there was no one to welcome me and my children. I called reception and they said “nothing we can do about it” The food is terrible. The soup portions are laughable, with adult servings filling only a third of the bowl. The dinner buffet is equally disappointing, featuring frozen pizzas and pasta. During breakfast, I asked for a takeaway cup for my coffee, and they charged me an extra €4.90. Very few activities are included for children, which is misleading as the website doesn't specify what is included and what is not. The kids club costs €50 per day (without a meal) and all sports activities, including the bouncing castle, require additional payment. Be prepared to walk everywhere. The facilities are scattered across different areas, with poor signage, so expect to get lost or constantly ask the staff for directions, who often have no clue. The “mini golf” is a joke, they added some holes next to the houses, there is also no stand there to lend you the material, you need to go back to the gym to get it, wish someone had told me about this. VERY DISAPPOINTING.

Mariz

We had a wonderful 3 days at this hotel. The location is perfect. The receptionists were attentive. Our room was well equipped and had a beautiful view of the sea. The breakfast only had high quality products and the staff were friendly and very well prepared. Veronica in particular was always smiling and attentive. We are already planning our return. Thanks to all the staff.

Molly Nelson

The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The breakfast was good and had a lot of options and loved the fresh squeezed OJ! The rooms and entire hotel were very run down. It was cute if you squinted your eyes but everything was banged up and dirty. I would not consider this a 5 star hotel. The AC was very weak. We had it set to 19C and it felt more like 28C. It wasn’t very comfortable and we did have maintenance come by and they said that was the best it could get. They changed us to a different room which was very nice but it still didn’t get cold in there.

Nai flips

Nice hotel in a great location. Don't expect 5 star as it lacks in areas. Housekeeping let's the place down. Only bottles of water supplied on first day as hotel policy. Nespresso machine in room however pods aren't always replaced and cups not washed. No kettle or other refreshments in room. Great pool. Generally clean and well kept hotel.

Marco NN

Like other reviews, I think this is mostly a 4 stars hotel, not 5. Some updates are overdue. The breakfast is ok, but not great, and it’s the same every day, I don’t think anything changed. We also saw some ants in the room. We let reception know about it and were informed that room service will take care of it. They were gone for 2 days but then we saw some again. The staff was very freindly and helpful.

David Klepak

I stayed at this hotel with my family for a long weekend and I was nicely surprised by how clean the hotel was, the lobby and the restaurant I couldn't fault anything at all. The room (junior sweet) was also very spacious and clean. The staff at hotel was very helpful when we needed it and nothing was a problem for them. I can only imagine how good the hotel must be in the summer because of the outdoor pool:). The spa facilities inside the hotel are also good, the swimming pool is a decent size, the inky downside is that the jacuzzi didn't work when we were there. We had a good stay. Highly recommend.

Rhys

Food was absolutely incredible, so much choice, creative dishes and absolutely delicious flavour. Amazing variety as well, could have ate there all week without getting bored. Drinks were nice and service was quick. Staff were pleasant and resolved issues quickly. I had the incredibly minor issue of the soap dispenser not working in our room and asked if they could check it out next time the cleaners were in. They sent someone out within the hour. Lovely resort and surrounding grounds, kept very clean and well maintained. It's a lovely scenic area to kick back and relax.

Sergio Matias

Great location and great service. We got a family room and they are very spacious although they are dated. The kids club don’t work very well for a non german speaker kid. The food is very tasty and varied. There is always something different as after dinner entertainment and activities during the day. All in all a great place to relax.

Anna Vaccaro

We stayed here at the end of July for a one week family holiday. Really lovely place, wonderful surroundings and I just had to write a review. The food was amazing - lots of little nice touches (there was always a fine dining kind of table with something different each night) and the asian food was, in particular, really enjoyable. The drinks were great - really good variety on offer. There was a welcome drink ready (that you were able to choose) as soon as we stepped out of the taxi. We'd had a long wait at Faro Airport and it was lovely to have a drink as soon as we got to the hotel. For me, this Hotel excels in the 'little things'. My daughters really enjoyed going to the Roby Club and they put on a show during our final night. There were a group of staff members on the 'red carpet' welcoming parents in at the start of the show and when the 'stars' left, that group were there again, almost as fans, cheering on the children as they were leaving. We were the last to leave the theatre and they made sure they waited for us - such a lovely touch. The performance was actually filmed and sent to us a few days later :) Similarly, when we were leaving to go to the airport, a member of staff helped us with our bags, gave us some bottles of water and waved the Portugese flag as our car drove away. I unexpectedly needed a document printed while on holiday and the Reception team did it for me no problem. We also requested an item from the pharmacy for our daughter. Obviously this is a chargeable service - but it was excellent - the product was in our room by lunchtime. All of the staff I encountered - every single one - were polite, friendly and professional. Couldn't fault any of them. We did some washing on our final day and the lady in the shop where we bought the laundry tablets was really helpful. The ladies that cleaned our rooms were great - our room looked perfect every day after they'd been in. As mentioned above, the children loved Roby Club. My youngest daughter reluctantly attended the club one day and after that, we couldn't keep her out! Both children loved it. Wouldn't hesitate to return. Thank you so much for a wonderful holiday and we hope to see you again in the future.

T G

Booked 8 months in advance. On arrival, they refused to give us our 2 rooms claiming they were overbooked, and "upgraded" us to a family room, single shower, lower value and no mention of a compensation. We visited this "upgrade" room and walked out, and refused to fall victim of this shady business practice. 5 minutes later, magicly, they were not overbooked anymore and we got the rooms we paid for 8 months before. Beware, don't let them rip you off. Stand your ground. I'm sure others have been coerced like that. Besides that, the underside of the beds is embedded in mold, just like the yellow fabric bed head stands, embedded in mold. You can smell it the minute you enter the rooms. Simply nasty. Everything elae was fine, although the pools are starting to fall apart and looking more like a puzzle with missing pieces everywhere.

Laura

I'm not a golfer myself, but for those who are, the hotel offers plenty of beautiful space all around. The building itself is pretty old. If you look more closely, you'll see that not everything is clean and there's rubbish on the floor or materials from construction work that you could easily trip over. The staff here are almost exclusively untrained students. You see the same person playing volleyball, darts, dancing in the show, stacking new plates at the buffet, making infusions in the sauna, being an entertainer and then making your omelette in the morning. They also sit down at the tables with the guests to eat. The food is really excellent. There is nothing missing. Just the display is not that great. The interior design leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the dining areas. 7 different types and colors of tables and chairs mixed together. You have to get your own drinks from the bar for any meal. The line is usually so long that it's not worth waiting there and you can just do without. In the main bar, where live music is played in the evenings, there are only high stool chairs. This is not suitable for older people or children and is definitely very uncomfortable. There is an '18+' lounge with more comfortable armchairs, where you should be able to find peace and quiet. However, this is not possible, you can hear children's screaming and voices all the time, as the area is only separated by a thin curtain. There are no elevators to the rooms on higher floors. There are no toothbrushes or similar additional items in the rooms. The service definitely needs to be improved everywhere, or in different words, there is no service at all which I expect from the waiters and the bar keepers. It seems like they really don't like their job. On the beach there is a 'beach bar', which is like a small wagon hut. The toilet on the beach is really awful. Super dirty, smells and there is no soap. It really has a portable toilet standard, in which even the flies feel comfortable and have to be chased away. You can see at every corner that the hotel is cutting costs. In terms of waiter staff to ensure at least a minimum level of service, in the selection of drinks at the bar, in the general attention to impressions on the guests and cleanliness. The shows are also only put on internally by the students. This also reflects the quality of the entertainment shows. I know, generally complaining at a high level, but if you are used to other hotels and expect 4-star quality here, you will be disappointed. You can tell that the hotel only survives on regular guests who have no better comparison.