The 133-room Hotel da Aldeia is a budget option near the lively Strip, just outside of Albufeira. Plenty of bars, restaurants, and clubs are within an easy walk, but the downside is that they can be heard in some rooms all through the night. Pool-view rooms are quieter. Potential guests should also be aware that the condition of the rooms ranges widely, from old and tired to fresh and attractive. All do have furnished balconies or terraces. On-site dining gets mixed reviews, but the outdoor pool is a highlight, despite the lack of shade. Other activities include mini-golf and tennis. Travelers who'd rather be closer to the beach than the Strip could check out the Torre Velha Hotel, which has mini-fridges in rooms but no air-conditioning.
The 133-room Hotel da Aldeia is a budget option near the lively Strip, just outside of Albufeira. Plenty of bars, restaurants, and clubs are within an easy walk, but the downside is that they can be heard in some rooms all through the night. Pool-view rooms are quieter. Potential guests should also be aware that the condition of the rooms ranges widely, from old and tired to fresh and attractive. All do have furnished balconies or terraces. On-site dining gets mixed reviews, but the outdoor pool is a highlight, despite the lack of shade. Other activities include mini-golf and tennis. Travelers who'd rather be closer to the beach than the Strip could check out the Torre Velha Hotel, which has mini-fridges in rooms but no air-conditioning.
The 31-unit Novochoro Apartments is a quiet budget property that's a 10-minute drive from Albufeira and the beach. Guests looking for a livelier scene can walk to The Strip in 10 to 15 minutes, and there are a few restaurants nearby as well. Studios and apartments are a mixed bag -- some are fresh and bright, while others are outdated and lack air-conditioning. All have fully equipped kitchens plus balconies or terraces, but Wi-Fi isn't available in rooms. The outdoor pool is the most popular feature, and breakfast and lunch are served at the lobby snack bar, which also provides drinks. A shuttle runs into town for a fee. Travelers might also consider the Janelas do Mar Apartments, which is a budget property offering more activities and recreational options.
The 31-unit Novochoro Apartments is a quiet budget property that's a 10-minute drive from Albufeira and the beach. Guests looking for a livelier scene can walk to The Strip in 10 to 15 minutes, and there are a few restaurants nearby as well. Studios and apartments are a mixed bag -- some are fresh and bright, while others are outdated and lack air-conditioning. All have fully equipped kitchens plus balconies or terraces, but Wi-Fi isn't available in rooms. The outdoor pool is the most popular feature, and breakfast and lunch are served at the lobby snack bar, which also provides drinks. A shuttle runs into town for a fee. Travelers might also consider the Janelas do Mar Apartments, which is a budget property offering more activities and recreational options.
The 178-room Algarve Gardens is a budget hotel situated in a quiet location on picturesque Falesia Beach. The drive to Albufeira takes about 20 minutes. Rooms here are studios and apartments, all with kitchens, but they are outdated and poorly maintained -- as is the entire property. Besides the beach location, its strength is its extensive sporting facilities, including tennis courts, running tracks, soccer fields, and huge weight rooms. These too, though, are in disrepair. There's a pool on-site and more pools at the sister hotel. The restaurant serves buffet-style meals, and there's are three bars, though the beach and pool options are seasonal. Travelers looking for a more updated place at similar rates could check out the Clube Praia da Oura, where some rooms have been renovated.
The 178-room Algarve Gardens is a budget hotel situated in a quiet location on picturesque Falesia Beach. The drive to Albufeira takes about 20 minutes. Rooms here are studios and apartments, all with kitchens, but they are outdated and poorly maintained -- as is the entire property. Besides the beach location, its strength is its extensive sporting facilities, including tennis courts, running tracks, soccer fields, and huge weight rooms. These too, though, are in disrepair. There's a pool on-site and more pools at the sister hotel. The restaurant serves buffet-style meals, and there's are three bars, though the beach and pool options are seasonal. Travelers looking for a more updated place at similar rates could check out the Clube Praia da Oura, where some rooms have been renovated.
The Oura-View Beach Club is billed as a five-star property, but in reality it's an upper-middle-range resort complex overlooking the sea, with direct access to the popular Praia da Oura beach and a location a short walk from the strip. The 177 apartment-style rooms all feature well-equipped kitchenettes, dining and living areas, and terraces, though they're in need of renovation and housekeeping isn't every day. The outdoor pool is lovely, with ocean views, waterslides, and a splash pool. Fees for in-room Wi-Fi and access to spa facilities leave guests feeling nickel-and-dimed, however, especially those on all-inclusive rates. The hotel is very family-friendly, with a popular kids' club, but noisy partiers can sometimes be an issue. Due to overbooking issues, some guests get moved to sister property Clube Praia da Oura, which is larger and busier, with a kids' club and more in the way of evening entertainment.
The Oura-View Beach Club is billed as a five-star property, but in reality it's an upper-middle-range resort complex overlooking the sea, with direct access to the popular Praia da Oura beach and a location a short walk from the strip. The 177 apartment-style rooms all feature well-equipped kitchenettes, dining and living areas, and terraces, though they're in need of renovation and housekeeping isn't every day. The outdoor pool is lovely, with ocean views, waterslides, and a splash pool. Fees for in-room Wi-Fi and access to spa facilities leave guests feeling nickel-and-dimed, however, especially those on all-inclusive rates. The hotel is very family-friendly, with a popular kids' club, but noisy partiers can sometimes be an issue. Due to overbooking issues, some guests get moved to sister property Clube Praia da Oura, which is larger and busier, with a kids' club and more in the way of evening entertainment.
Luna Clube Oceano is a three-pearl apartment hotel that's only a three-minute walk from Alemaes Beach and a five-minute drive from Avenida sa Carneiro's restaurants and bars. Interiors are a mixed bag, and most public areas have a fresh, modern look, while the 77 apartments are more homey and traditional. All units come with kitchens, living and dining areas, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and balconies with pool views. The hotel lacks a kids' club and indoor pool, but does offer a great outdoor pool, children's pool, two outdoor hot tubs, and a Portuguese restaurant that serves a breakfast buffet (for a fee). As an alternative, the nearby Solaqua Apartments Hotel is similar in quality and also has an indoor pool, but it's a bit farther from the beach.
Luna Clube Oceano is a three-pearl apartment hotel that's only a three-minute walk from Alemaes Beach and a five-minute drive from Avenida sa Carneiro's restaurants and bars. Interiors are a mixed bag, and most public areas have a fresh, modern look, while the 77 apartments are more homey and traditional. All units come with kitchens, living and dining areas, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and balconies with pool views. The hotel lacks a kids' club and indoor pool, but does offer a great outdoor pool, children's pool, two outdoor hot tubs, and a Portuguese restaurant that serves a breakfast buffet (for a fee). As an alternative, the nearby Solaqua Apartments Hotel is similar in quality and also has an indoor pool, but it's a bit farther from the beach.
Velamar Boutique Hotel is a bright, 75-room boutique with contemporary, minimalist style and a great location in the quiet fishing village of Olhos de Agua. This non-smoking, mid-range property is most popular among couples and an easy walk to beaches, bars, restaurants, and shops. All spotless and stylish rooms come with free water, minibars, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, balconies, and big (if hard) beds. Bathrooms have hairdryers and bidets, but no toiletries. Still, the free breakfast, two bars, small outdoor pool, game room, and all-day snacks make it an excellent bang-for-your-buck option near Albufeira. The fresh decor particularly stands out next to the often dated hotels in the area. For a more lively and kid-friendly spot in the area (but significantly higher price tag), check out the 500-room ClubHotel Riu Guarana.
Velamar Boutique Hotel is a bright, 75-room boutique with contemporary, minimalist style and a great location in the quiet fishing village of Olhos de Agua. This non-smoking, mid-range property is most popular among couples and an easy walk to beaches, bars, restaurants, and shops. All spotless and stylish rooms come with free water, minibars, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, balconies, and big (if hard) beds. Bathrooms have hairdryers and bidets, but no toiletries. Still, the free breakfast, two bars, small outdoor pool, game room, and all-day snacks make it an excellent bang-for-your-buck option near Albufeira. The fresh decor particularly stands out next to the often dated hotels in the area. For a more lively and kid-friendly spot in the area (but significantly higher price tag), check out the 500-room ClubHotel Riu Guarana.
The value-oriented Apartamentos Turisticos da Orada is a 220-apartment complex comprising multi-colored, low-rise blocks designed by renowned architect, Tomas Taveira. The location on the edge of Albufeira is right next to the bustling (during high season) marina, but it's a bit far from the Old Town. Apartments are dated, with spare decor, tube-style TVs, and no in-room Wi-Fi, but they are spacious and feature well-equipped kitchens that even include washing machines. No proper restaurant on-site is also a shortcoming, and off-season local dining can be limited. Overall, however, for those looking for a quiet spot with excellent self-catering facilities -- and an impressive pool complex -- this is a fine choice. The nearest competition is the Pateo Village Apartments, a little further inland, but with an indoor pool and flat-screen TVs.
The value-oriented Apartamentos Turisticos da Orada is a 220-apartment complex comprising multi-colored, low-rise blocks designed by renowned architect, Tomas Taveira. The location on the edge of Albufeira is right next to the bustling (during high season) marina, but it's a bit far from the Old Town. Apartments are dated, with spare decor, tube-style TVs, and no in-room Wi-Fi, but they are spacious and feature well-equipped kitchens that even include washing machines. No proper restaurant on-site is also a shortcoming, and off-season local dining can be limited. Overall, however, for those looking for a quiet spot with excellent self-catering facilities -- and an impressive pool complex -- this is a fine choice. The nearest competition is the Pateo Village Apartments, a little further inland, but with an indoor pool and flat-screen TVs.
Alagoamar Hotel Apartamentos is a two-and-a-half-pearl apartment hotel off the busy Avenida dos Descobrimentos, about a three-minute drive from Avenida Sa Carneiro, also known as The Strip. An outdoor pool, children's pool, and cafe bar with drinks and light fare are on-site, but the hotel has no indoor pool, fitness center, kids' club, or breakfast buffet. The 63 spacious, affordably priced, air-conditioned apartments come with kitchens, living areas, and balconies (some with pool views). Units are a bit basic, and we spotted some wear, but their chief drawback is the lack of Wi-Fi, which is only available in the public spaces for a fee. Those who'd like to be closer to the beach may want to check out Luna Clube Oceano, which is otherwise similar to the Alagoamar.
Alagoamar Hotel Apartamentos is a two-and-a-half-pearl apartment hotel off the busy Avenida dos Descobrimentos, about a three-minute drive from Avenida Sa Carneiro, also known as The Strip. An outdoor pool, children's pool, and cafe bar with drinks and light fare are on-site, but the hotel has no indoor pool, fitness center, kids' club, or breakfast buffet. The 63 spacious, affordably priced, air-conditioned apartments come with kitchens, living areas, and balconies (some with pool views). Units are a bit basic, and we spotted some wear, but their chief drawback is the lack of Wi-Fi, which is only available in the public spaces for a fee. Those who'd like to be closer to the beach may want to check out Luna Clube Oceano, which is otherwise similar to the Alagoamar.
The Oura Praia Hotel is an upper-middle-range property comprising 126 studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments set in the center of the Algarve resort town of Oura. While its location means easy access to both a picturesque beach and lively nightlife on "The Strip" -- both of which are within walking distance -- local nightspots also mean plenty of noise. Self-catering apartments are spacious and well-equipped, if a bit dated, though in-room Wi-Fi incurs a fee. Reports suggest dining at the hotel is best avoided (especially the all-inclusive option). The pool is decent enough and guests have access to facilities at sister hotel Club Praia Da Oura, which also has direct access to the beach and less noise.
The Oura Praia Hotel is an upper-middle-range property comprising 126 studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments set in the center of the Algarve resort town of Oura. While its location means easy access to both a picturesque beach and lively nightlife on "The Strip" -- both of which are within walking distance -- local nightspots also mean plenty of noise. Self-catering apartments are spacious and well-equipped, if a bit dated, though in-room Wi-Fi incurs a fee. Reports suggest dining at the hotel is best avoided (especially the all-inclusive option). The pool is decent enough and guests have access to facilities at sister hotel Club Praia Da Oura, which also has direct access to the beach and less noise.
The 92-room Hotel do Cerro Younger is a quirky two-and-a-half-pearl option with a convenient location just outside Albufeira. Although it's located in a quiet residential neighborhood, guests can walk to the beach and town in 10 to 15 minutes. Rooms and suites are a bit small and rather dated, but all have a balcony or terrace, some with exceptional views of the sea. Others overlook the outdoor pool. There's also a gaudy indoor pool, as well as a spa and fitness center. The restaurant gets mixed reviews, and there are fees for using everything from safes to the gym. All-inclusive rates are also a disappointment. Younger travelers wanting a hipper property could check out the nearby Hotel Rocamar, which has gotten a contemporary makeover in public spaces and Superior Rooms.
The 92-room Hotel do Cerro Younger is a quirky two-and-a-half-pearl option with a convenient location just outside Albufeira. Although it's located in a quiet residential neighborhood, guests can walk to the beach and town in 10 to 15 minutes. Rooms and suites are a bit small and rather dated, but all have a balcony or terrace, some with exceptional views of the sea. Others overlook the outdoor pool. There's also a gaudy indoor pool, as well as a spa and fitness center. The restaurant gets mixed reviews, and there are fees for using everything from safes to the gym. All-inclusive rates are also a disappointment. Younger travelers wanting a hipper property could check out the nearby Hotel Rocamar, which has gotten a contemporary makeover in public spaces and Superior Rooms.