The 195-room Real Bellavista Hotel & Spa is a mid-range property located in a peaceful residential neighborhood in the popular resort town of Albufeira. While there's little in the immediate vicinity, a free shuttle service ferries guests to Old Town, the beach, and the lively nightlife of "The Strip." Renovations throughout 2016 and 2017 updated all of the rooms (which are equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and furnished balconies or terraces) and the main restaurant/bar (where free buffet breakfast is served), and added a new restaurant and outdoor pool area. The hotel's spa is a highlight and there's plenty for kids to do, but to avoid possible noisy groups consider paying a little more at the Porto Bay Falesia.
The 195-room Real Bellavista Hotel & Spa is a mid-range property located in a peaceful residential neighborhood in the popular resort town of Albufeira. While there's little in the immediate vicinity, a free shuttle service ferries guests to Old Town, the beach, and the lively nightlife of "The Strip." Renovations throughout 2016 and 2017 updated all of the rooms (which are equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and furnished balconies or terraces) and the main restaurant/bar (where free buffet breakfast is served), and added a new restaurant and outdoor pool area. The hotel's spa is a highlight and there's plenty for kids to do, but to avoid possible noisy groups consider paying a little more at the Porto Bay Falesia.
The Hotel Apartamento Balaia Atlantico is an upper-middle-range, resort-style complex in a secluded setting about 10 minutes' drive inland from the Algarve coast. While its location is great for exploring the surrounding countryside on foot, there are no bars or restaurants within easy walking distance. The 138 spacious apartments have balconies and modern kitchenettes, but are fairly simple. Features such as the sprawling outdoor pool and well-rounded kids' facilities make this hotel popular with families, though dining is limited and quality isn't great. Low rates reflect the location, but those willing to pay a little more should compare with the upscale Balaia Golf Village Resort, located a 15-minute walk from the beach.
The Hotel Apartamento Balaia Atlantico is an upper-middle-range, resort-style complex in a secluded setting about 10 minutes' drive inland from the Algarve coast. While its location is great for exploring the surrounding countryside on foot, there are no bars or restaurants within easy walking distance. The 138 spacious apartments have balconies and modern kitchenettes, but are fairly simple. Features such as the sprawling outdoor pool and well-rounded kids' facilities make this hotel popular with families, though dining is limited and quality isn't great. Low rates reflect the location, but those willing to pay a little more should compare with the upscale Balaia Golf Village Resort, located a 15-minute walk from the beach.
Balaia-Sol Holiday Club is an affordable three-pearl apartment-style hotel with a rustic Portuguese feel. The location is a bit out of the way, but The Strip and beach are both within a five-minute drive. The hotel's 41 units are a slightly dated, but they're spacious and pleasant, and have kitchenettes with mini-fridges and microwaves, and balconies or terraces. They contain flat-screen TVs, but there's no in-room Wi-Fi. Facilities are sparse here, with just an outdoor pool and snack bar, and there's a fee for breakfast. The chief drawback of the Balaia-Sol is its habit of nickel-and-diming guests with various deposits and fees. Travelers looking for more amenities can check rates at the nearby Albufeira Sol Suite Hotel & Spa.
Balaia-Sol Holiday Club is an affordable three-pearl apartment-style hotel with a rustic Portuguese feel. The location is a bit out of the way, but The Strip and beach are both within a five-minute drive. The hotel's 41 units are a slightly dated, but they're spacious and pleasant, and have kitchenettes with mini-fridges and microwaves, and balconies or terraces. They contain flat-screen TVs, but there's no in-room Wi-Fi. Facilities are sparse here, with just an outdoor pool and snack bar, and there's a fee for breakfast. The chief drawback of the Balaia-Sol is its habit of nickel-and-diming guests with various deposits and fees. Travelers looking for more amenities can check rates at the nearby Albufeira Sol Suite Hotel & Spa.
Opened in 2013, the Vidamar Resort Algarve is a 250-room upscale resort featuring fresh minimalist design. The resort sits between picturesque Salgados Beach and an 18-hole golf course, about 20 minutes from Albufeira by road. It's peaceful and secluded, though there's little within walking distance. Rooms are spacious and smart, with air-conditioning, minibars, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi -- many offer sea views from balconies or terraces. There are three saltwater pools, plus another inside a stylish health center. Four restaurants serve everything from Asian to Italian and seafood, and half-board plans are mandatory. Family-friendly amenities include a kids' club, kids' menus, and entertainment. Travelers might want to also check out Salgados Dunas Suites next door, which has similar style but fewer restaurants and higher rates.
Opened in 2013, the Vidamar Resort Algarve is a 250-room upscale resort featuring fresh minimalist design. The resort sits between picturesque Salgados Beach and an 18-hole golf course, about 20 minutes from Albufeira by road. It's peaceful and secluded, though there's little within walking distance. Rooms are spacious and smart, with air-conditioning, minibars, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi -- many offer sea views from balconies or terraces. There are three saltwater pools, plus another inside a stylish health center. Four restaurants serve everything from Asian to Italian and seafood, and half-board plans are mandatory. Family-friendly amenities include a kids' club, kids' menus, and entertainment. Travelers might want to also check out Salgados Dunas Suites next door, which has similar style but fewer restaurants and higher rates.
The Falesia Hotel is a three-pearl, adult-only hotel located in a peaceful neighborhood between the popular resort towns of Albufeira and Vilamoura. Renovations in 2016 freshened up the 169 rooms and all open to furnished balconies. An outdoor pool is set in lovely gardens, while a heated indoor pool makes up part of the hotel's decent spa facilities. Dining can be a little inconsistent, but there are eateries within a short walk, as well as a lovely beach a five-minute drive from the hotel. All in all, it's a solid choice for mature couples who want total relaxation. Families or groups should look elsewhere, such as Clube Praia da Oura, a buzzy mid-range property on the beach, or the upscale Balaia Golf Village Resort, with six pools and a kids' club.
The Falesia Hotel is a three-pearl, adult-only hotel located in a peaceful neighborhood between the popular resort towns of Albufeira and Vilamoura. Renovations in 2016 freshened up the 169 rooms and all open to furnished balconies. An outdoor pool is set in lovely gardens, while a heated indoor pool makes up part of the hotel's decent spa facilities. Dining can be a little inconsistent, but there are eateries within a short walk, as well as a lovely beach a five-minute drive from the hotel. All in all, it's a solid choice for mature couples who want total relaxation. Families or groups should look elsewhere, such as Clube Praia da Oura, a buzzy mid-range property on the beach, or the upscale Balaia Golf Village Resort, with six pools and a kids' club.
The three-pearl Luna Miramar comprises 120 studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments set in the center of Albufeira, midway between its picturesque Old Town and nightlife hub of "The Strip." A 2014 renovation polished up public areas but rooms, with antique-looking wooden furniture and white tile, feel underwhelming in comparison. Apartments do have well-equipped kitchenettes and balconies or terraces. Poor design means the outdoor pool area gets a lot of shade, plus guests complain that there aren't enough loungers, though a heated indoor pool and some spa facilities are a bonus. Although occasionally marred by noisy groups, the vibe is generally fun and family-oriented. For a larger, sunnier pool terrace and lower rates, take a look at the Solaqua Apartments nearby.
The three-pearl Luna Miramar comprises 120 studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments set in the center of Albufeira, midway between its picturesque Old Town and nightlife hub of "The Strip." A 2014 renovation polished up public areas but rooms, with antique-looking wooden furniture and white tile, feel underwhelming in comparison. Apartments do have well-equipped kitchenettes and balconies or terraces. Poor design means the outdoor pool area gets a lot of shade, plus guests complain that there aren't enough loungers, though a heated indoor pool and some spa facilities are a bonus. Although occasionally marred by noisy groups, the vibe is generally fun and family-oriented. For a larger, sunnier pool terrace and lower rates, take a look at the Solaqua Apartments nearby.
The 150-unit Janelas do Mar Apartments is a budget apartment option that's a 10-minute drive from Albufeira and the beach. Apartments are dated and worn, though all have kitchenettes and balconies or terraces, some with nice views to the sea. Keep in mind there's no in-room Wi-Fi or air-conditioning. Breakfast is served for a fee, and there's a coffee shop plus two bars. The two pools are large and offer plenty of lounge chairs, and there's another pool inside, as well as a whirlpool. Other recreation includes mini-golf, billiards and ping-pong tables, a multi-sport court, and a fitness center (fee). A similar alternative is the Solaqua Apartments, where rates aren't much higher but rooms are more modern.
The 150-unit Janelas do Mar Apartments is a budget apartment option that's a 10-minute drive from Albufeira and the beach. Apartments are dated and worn, though all have kitchenettes and balconies or terraces, some with nice views to the sea. Keep in mind there's no in-room Wi-Fi or air-conditioning. Breakfast is served for a fee, and there's a coffee shop plus two bars. The two pools are large and offer plenty of lounge chairs, and there's another pool inside, as well as a whirlpool. Other recreation includes mini-golf, billiards and ping-pong tables, a multi-sport court, and a fitness center (fee). A similar alternative is the Solaqua Apartments, where rates aren't much higher but rooms are more modern.
The Albufeira Sol Suite Hotel & Spa is a mid-range, all-suite property set in a mostly quiet east Albufeira neighborhood that's within walking distance of the town's renowned nightlife hub "the strip." This all-inclusive hotel provides all meals and drinks, though guests report that food is average and drinks are poor quality. Facilities are impressive enough though, with a huge pool, plenty for the kids, and a decent spa (for a fee). The 188 suites and Junior Suites are spacious, with modern renovations, cooking facilities, and lounge areas; the free Wi-Fi is also particularly good. The location is a bit of a way to the beach though, so for an all-inclusive beachfront option check out the Clube Praia da Oura.
The Albufeira Sol Suite Hotel & Spa is a mid-range, all-suite property set in a mostly quiet east Albufeira neighborhood that's within walking distance of the town's renowned nightlife hub "the strip." This all-inclusive hotel provides all meals and drinks, though guests report that food is average and drinks are poor quality. Facilities are impressive enough though, with a huge pool, plenty for the kids, and a decent spa (for a fee). The 188 suites and Junior Suites are spacious, with modern renovations, cooking facilities, and lounge areas; the free Wi-Fi is also particularly good. The location is a bit of a way to the beach though, so for an all-inclusive beachfront option check out the Clube Praia da Oura.
The Aparthotel Oceanus is a large apartment-style hotel aimed at the budget end of the Algarve vacation market. Its 102 air-conditioned apartments, consisting of studios and one-bedroom units, are spread over two buildings and include simple kitchens and balconies and bland decor. Bathrooms are well-finished, though, but don't come with many toiletries. The range of on-site facilities is solid, with both an outdoor and indoor pool, a kids' pool, several bars (one poolside), and a restaurant. The lobby and the decor in some areas looks dated, and some apartments can be noisy, but for its proximity to a lovely beach, it's a pretty good value.
The Aparthotel Oceanus is a large apartment-style hotel aimed at the budget end of the Algarve vacation market. Its 102 air-conditioned apartments, consisting of studios and one-bedroom units, are spread over two buildings and include simple kitchens and balconies and bland decor. Bathrooms are well-finished, though, but don't come with many toiletries. The range of on-site facilities is solid, with both an outdoor and indoor pool, a kids' pool, several bars (one poolside), and a restaurant. The lobby and the decor in some areas looks dated, and some apartments can be noisy, but for its proximity to a lovely beach, it's a pretty good value.
Hotel Apartamento Brisa Sol is a solid mid-range option with an excellent, walkable location between the old and new towns and near to a beach. The 174 self-catering studios and one-bedroom apartments come with small kitchenettes, semi-private balconies, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. The place has some contemporary touches, but most areas could use an update. Overall, the vibe is casual with a lack of organized activities, leaving guests to use the two pools (plus, a few shallow paddle pools), health club (fee), tennis and squash courts, and large game room at their leisure. There are also a restaurant with international cuisine, diner-style sports bar, and seasonal pool bar. Compare details with the nearby Vila Gale Cerro Alagoa, which has free Wi-Fi and free breakfast.
Hotel Apartamento Brisa Sol is a solid mid-range option with an excellent, walkable location between the old and new towns and near to a beach. The 174 self-catering studios and one-bedroom apartments come with small kitchenettes, semi-private balconies, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. The place has some contemporary touches, but most areas could use an update. Overall, the vibe is casual with a lack of organized activities, leaving guests to use the two pools (plus, a few shallow paddle pools), health club (fee), tennis and squash courts, and large game room at their leisure. There are also a restaurant with international cuisine, diner-style sports bar, and seasonal pool bar. Compare details with the nearby Vila Gale Cerro Alagoa, which has free Wi-Fi and free breakfast.