The 74-room Hotel Sol e Mar is a mid-range option in an excellent location on the beach in Albufeira's old town. The beach is easy to access, and the city's lively restaurants, bars, and shops are within easy walking distance. Rooms are basic, but they all have a balcony or terrace with nice sea views. The two restaurants get mixed reviews, but breakfast is free and guests can dine right above the beach. The indoor pool looks out onto the beach, but the hotel has no dedicated beach seating. Travelers preferring a hotel with an outdoor pool could check out the nearby Hotel Rocamar, which is slightly more expensive and also has a spa.
The 74-room Hotel Sol e Mar is a mid-range option in an excellent location on the beach in Albufeira's old town. The beach is easy to access, and the city's lively restaurants, bars, and shops are within easy walking distance. Rooms are basic, but they all have a balcony or terrace with nice sea views. The two restaurants get mixed reviews, but breakfast is free and guests can dine right above the beach. The indoor pool looks out onto the beach, but the hotel has no dedicated beach seating. Travelers preferring a hotel with an outdoor pool could check out the nearby Hotel Rocamar, which is slightly more expensive and also has a spa.
The 64-unit Cerro Malpique Aparthotel is a two-and-a-half-pearl property situated on a residential hilltop overlooking Albufeira's old town and the sea. It's a five- to 10-minute walk to the town's restaurants, shops, and pubs, but the trip does involve stairs and hills. Studios and apartments are spacious and clean, although a bit dated. They have nicely equipped kitchens and a balcony or terrace, some with beautiful town and sea view, but not all are air-conditioned. A bar serves one of the two outdoor pools. There's no restaurant at the hotel, housekeeping is limited, and there are fees for limited Wi-Fi. Families looking for more kid-friendly amenities could check out the similar Solaqua Apartments, which has an indoor pool, kids' pool, and playground, but is farther from town and the beach.
The 64-unit Cerro Malpique Aparthotel is a two-and-a-half-pearl property situated on a residential hilltop overlooking Albufeira's old town and the sea. It's a five- to 10-minute walk to the town's restaurants, shops, and pubs, but the trip does involve stairs and hills. Studios and apartments are spacious and clean, although a bit dated. They have nicely equipped kitchens and a balcony or terrace, some with beautiful town and sea view, but not all are air-conditioned. A bar serves one of the two outdoor pools. There's no restaurant at the hotel, housekeeping is limited, and there are fees for limited Wi-Fi. Families looking for more kid-friendly amenities could check out the similar Solaqua Apartments, which has an indoor pool, kids' pool, and playground, but is farther from town and the beach.
Areias Village Hotel-Apartamento is a three-pearl apartment hotel that's about a five-minute walk from the bars along Avenida Sa Carneiro bars and the beach. Features are a bit limited here, with only an outdoor pool and children's pool, and there's no fitness center or kids' club. On the plus side, everything is pleasantly modern, which isn't always the case at apartment-hotels in the Albufeira area. Each apartment is spacious and includes a kitchen, living area, and balcony (some with pool views). Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but it's worth noting that a nearby nightclub means some rooms are noisy. There's also a Portuguese restaurant and bar on-site. Alternatively, the nearby Luna Clube Oceano is comparable in price and quality, but it's a bit closer to the beach.
Areias Village Hotel-Apartamento is a three-pearl apartment hotel that's about a five-minute walk from the bars along Avenida Sa Carneiro bars and the beach. Features are a bit limited here, with only an outdoor pool and children's pool, and there's no fitness center or kids' club. On the plus side, everything is pleasantly modern, which isn't always the case at apartment-hotels in the Albufeira area. Each apartment is spacious and includes a kitchen, living area, and balcony (some with pool views). Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but it's worth noting that a nearby nightclub means some rooms are noisy. There's also a Portuguese restaurant and bar on-site. Alternatively, the nearby Luna Clube Oceano is comparable in price and quality, but it's a bit closer to the beach.
Ondamar Aparthotel is a two-pearl hotel that's a five-minute drive from Oura Beach and a 10-minute walk from the Avenida Sa Carneiro strip of bars. Its 92 spacious, affordably priced apartments have a bland and dated look, and many need an overhaul to address worn or old furnishings. All come with full kitchens, living areas, dining areas, and balconies or terraces. There's a charge for Wi-Fi in rooms, but it's free in public spaces. Features are fairly good, and include a large freeform outdoor pool with poolside bar, children's pool, indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, game room, and Portuguese restaurant. Travelers preferring something more modern and closer to the beach should consider the Areias Villages Hotel-Apartamento instead, though rates will be a bit higher and its features are limited.
Ondamar Aparthotel is a two-pearl hotel that's a five-minute drive from Oura Beach and a 10-minute walk from the Avenida Sa Carneiro strip of bars. Its 92 spacious, affordably priced apartments have a bland and dated look, and many need an overhaul to address worn or old furnishings. All come with full kitchens, living areas, dining areas, and balconies or terraces. There's a charge for Wi-Fi in rooms, but it's free in public spaces. Features are fairly good, and include a large freeform outdoor pool with poolside bar, children's pool, indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, game room, and Portuguese restaurant. Travelers preferring something more modern and closer to the beach should consider the Areias Villages Hotel-Apartamento instead, though rates will be a bit higher and its features are limited.
The two-and-a-half-pearl Balaia Mar Hotel is a decent budget option for unfussy travelers. It's three-minutes to the tourist-friendly Santa Eulalia strip, and a 10-minute walk to Praia Maria Luisa. The hotel is old, and the 32 rooms include powerful air-conditioners, small TVs, and free Wi-Fi that requires constantly re-entering passwords. Many rooms are spacious, though, and some include large balconies. Apartments are also available. There are two pools, a bar with billiards tables, and a restaurant that serves a free breakfast buffet. All-inclusive rates are also available, but hours are restricted. For similar rates and rooms with kitchens in the same area, check out the Balaia Golf Village Resort.
The two-and-a-half-pearl Balaia Mar Hotel is a decent budget option for unfussy travelers. It's three-minutes to the tourist-friendly Santa Eulalia strip, and a 10-minute walk to Praia Maria Luisa. The hotel is old, and the 32 rooms include powerful air-conditioners, small TVs, and free Wi-Fi that requires constantly re-entering passwords. Many rooms are spacious, though, and some include large balconies. Apartments are also available. There are two pools, a bar with billiards tables, and a restaurant that serves a free breakfast buffet. All-inclusive rates are also available, but hours are restricted. For similar rates and rooms with kitchens in the same area, check out the Balaia Golf Village Resort.
The mid-range Hotel Baltum has 51 contemporary rooms and an ideal location in Albufeira’s old town, surrounded by numerous restaurants and shops. Travelers are also just a two-minute walk from a sandy beach. Rooms are modern and airy, outfitted with flat-screen TVs, safes, and air-conditioning, but some lack a balcony. Being in the center of town, the hotel does not have much outdoor space for a pool, but it has a pretty rooftop bar and solarium with a hot tub. The bar is popular, as is the attractive restaurant, Urban Pizza, where buffet breakfasts and a la carte Italian dishes are sold at lunch and dinner. On the downside, there's no gym. It's worth comparing rates with the Hotel Rocamar, which has an ocean-view pool and a spa.
The mid-range Hotel Baltum has 51 contemporary rooms and an ideal location in Albufeira’s old town, surrounded by numerous restaurants and shops. Travelers are also just a two-minute walk from a sandy beach. Rooms are modern and airy, outfitted with flat-screen TVs, safes, and air-conditioning, but some lack a balcony. Being in the center of town, the hotel does not have much outdoor space for a pool, but it has a pretty rooftop bar and solarium with a hot tub. The bar is popular, as is the attractive restaurant, Urban Pizza, where buffet breakfasts and a la carte Italian dishes are sold at lunch and dinner. On the downside, there's no gym. It's worth comparing rates with the Hotel Rocamar, which has an ocean-view pool and a spa.
The 287-room Auramar Beach Resort is a lower-middle-range hotel that backs up to Praia dos Aveiros, a secluded cove with a sandy beach. Although the property is about a 20-minute walk from the center of Albufeira, the hotel offers a free shuttle bus to town a few times a day. Guests -- primarily couples though some families -- typically stay all-inclusive and half-board options are available, but food receives mixed reviews. The dated rooms have mini-fridges and balconies -- often with sea views -- but they're in need of a revamp and bathrooms particularly show their age. Features include two large outdoor pools, as well as an indoor pool, sauna, and sports facilities. Travelers looking for a hotel with beach access but closer to the center of town could check out the Hotel Sol e Mar.
The 287-room Auramar Beach Resort is a lower-middle-range hotel that backs up to Praia dos Aveiros, a secluded cove with a sandy beach. Although the property is about a 20-minute walk from the center of Albufeira, the hotel offers a free shuttle bus to town a few times a day. Guests -- primarily couples though some families -- typically stay all-inclusive and half-board options are available, but food receives mixed reviews. The dated rooms have mini-fridges and balconies -- often with sea views -- but they're in need of a revamp and bathrooms particularly show their age. Features include two large outdoor pools, as well as an indoor pool, sauna, and sports facilities. Travelers looking for a hotel with beach access but closer to the center of town could check out the Hotel Sol e Mar.
The three-pearl, apartment-style Hotel Almar offers a good value in Albufeira. The hotel is an eight-minute walk from the Praia do Inatel, and 10 minutes from the center of town and the escalators leading down to Fisherman’s Beach. Decor in the hotel’s shared areas could use an update, but its 44 apartments are fresh and minimalist, with decently equipped kitchens and large terraces that overlook the Atlantic. However, there's no air-conditioning and fans require a fee, as do safes. A large sunny terrace houses a main pool and adjacent kiddy pool, and overlooks the ocean and surrounding rooftops. The buffet breakfast (fee) receives positive reviews, but guests will have to cook or go elsewhere for other meals. People looking for a resort-type hotel with more amenities might want to try the Auramar Beach Resort.
The three-pearl, apartment-style Hotel Almar offers a good value in Albufeira. The hotel is an eight-minute walk from the Praia do Inatel, and 10 minutes from the center of town and the escalators leading down to Fisherman’s Beach. Decor in the hotel’s shared areas could use an update, but its 44 apartments are fresh and minimalist, with decently equipped kitchens and large terraces that overlook the Atlantic. However, there's no air-conditioning and fans require a fee, as do safes. A large sunny terrace houses a main pool and adjacent kiddy pool, and overlooks the ocean and surrounding rooftops. The buffet breakfast (fee) receives positive reviews, but guests will have to cook or go elsewhere for other meals. People looking for a resort-type hotel with more amenities might want to try the Auramar Beach Resort.
The mid-range Apartamentos do Parque is a fairly typical Algarve apartment complex set on hillside a few minutes' walk from the pretty beach at Olhos de Agua. Its 47 apartments are clean and bright, albeit dated, with sufficient cooking facilities and either spacious balconies or private gardens -- most with lovely sea, and even sunset, views. There's a choice of two pools, fresh and saltwater, with the latter housed under a protective dome for cooler months. Beyond a simple cafe, there's not much in the way of dining, plus no health facilities. Overall, however, it's a good apartment-style hotel pick with some lovely views; the nearby Aparthotel Oceanus tends to be a little cheaper though, with more pool space and dining options.
The mid-range Apartamentos do Parque is a fairly typical Algarve apartment complex set on hillside a few minutes' walk from the pretty beach at Olhos de Agua. Its 47 apartments are clean and bright, albeit dated, with sufficient cooking facilities and either spacious balconies or private gardens -- most with lovely sea, and even sunset, views. There's a choice of two pools, fresh and saltwater, with the latter housed under a protective dome for cooler months. Beyond a simple cafe, there's not much in the way of dining, plus no health facilities. Overall, however, it's a good apartment-style hotel pick with some lovely views; the nearby Aparthotel Oceanus tends to be a little cheaper though, with more pool space and dining options.
The three-pearl Hotel Topázio offers a mix of 86 standard guest rooms and apartment-style units in the Algarve, within a 10-minute walk of two beaches. It's a 30-minute walk from Albufeira’s old town, though several restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are closer. Rooms are simple and contemporary, all outfitted with air-conditioning, outdoor spaces, and small flat-screen TVs. Apartment units add well-equipped kitchenettes and living areas. Unfortunately, thin walls let in late-night noise from adjacent nightclub. All rates include a buffet breakfast with substantial hot and cold fare, and snacks and beverages are available all day. An attractive outdoor pool has enough loungers and a quiet atmosphere. Travelers wanting to be both on the beach and in the old town might like the Hotel Sol e Mar, though its only pool is indoors.
The three-pearl Hotel Topázio offers a mix of 86 standard guest rooms and apartment-style units in the Algarve, within a 10-minute walk of two beaches. It's a 30-minute walk from Albufeira’s old town, though several restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are closer. Rooms are simple and contemporary, all outfitted with air-conditioning, outdoor spaces, and small flat-screen TVs. Apartment units add well-equipped kitchenettes and living areas. Unfortunately, thin walls let in late-night noise from adjacent nightclub. All rates include a buffet breakfast with substantial hot and cold fare, and snacks and beverages are available all day. An attractive outdoor pool has enough loungers and a quiet atmosphere. Travelers wanting to be both on the beach and in the old town might like the Hotel Sol e Mar, though its only pool is indoors.