The Alfagar II Aparthotel is an upper-middle-range all-apartment property located in the peaceful resort village of Balaia just east of Albufeira. While there's not much in the immediate area, the complex is self-contained and has a beach within walking distance. The 90 apartments are modern and bright, with kitchenettes, dining/lounge areas, and spacious terraces -- most with views of the sea. Water-based facilities are excellent, and include a large outdoor pool, indoor pool, and water park for kids (and some adults). Dining options are a little limited and some guests complain apartments can be noisy, but most find the property excellent value for money -- especially families who don't mind being a bit far from area nightlife. For better sea views at even better rates (though less modern apartments) take a look at the sister property Alfagar Aldeamanto Turistico.
The Alfagar II Aparthotel is an upper-middle-range all-apartment property located in the peaceful resort village of Balaia just east of Albufeira. While there's not much in the immediate area, the complex is self-contained and has a beach within walking distance. The 90 apartments are modern and bright, with kitchenettes, dining/lounge areas, and spacious terraces -- most with views of the sea. Water-based facilities are excellent, and include a large outdoor pool, indoor pool, and water park for kids (and some adults). Dining options are a little limited and some guests complain apartments can be noisy, but most find the property excellent value for money -- especially families who don't mind being a bit far from area nightlife. For better sea views at even better rates (though less modern apartments) take a look at the sister property Alfagar Aldeamanto Turistico.
The mid-range Paraiso de Albufeira is a family-friendly hotel comprising 414 apartments set in the center of the popular tourist town of Albufeira. With two lovely beaches and the town's famous "Strip" within walking distance, the location is certainly a highlight. As with much of the hotel, apartments can feel dated, though all have cooking facilities and some offer sea views. Leisure facilities are extensive -- especially for kids -- and include indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, fitness center, and tennis courts. Dining, however, is not the hotel's forte -- especially its buffet offerings. The nearby Alagoamar Hotel Apartamentos offers a better value, but has fewer facilities.
The mid-range Paraiso de Albufeira is a family-friendly hotel comprising 414 apartments set in the center of the popular tourist town of Albufeira. With two lovely beaches and the town's famous "Strip" within walking distance, the location is certainly a highlight. As with much of the hotel, apartments can feel dated, though all have cooking facilities and some offer sea views. Leisure facilities are extensive -- especially for kids -- and include indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, fitness center, and tennis courts. Dining, however, is not the hotel's forte -- especially its buffet offerings. The nearby Alagoamar Hotel Apartamentos offers a better value, but has fewer facilities.
The mid-range Santa Eulalia Hotel & Spa's name is a bit misleading, as spa facilities are only available only at an extra charge, and services like facials aren't available (even massages are only available upon request). Still, the 130 rooms are contemporary, if generic, and come with AC, kitchenettes with microwaves and coffeemakers, and furnished outdoor spaces. There's no on-site restaurant, though a bar sells snacks and drinks. The property is close to beaches and a cheap taxi ride from the Old Town, but given the hotel's proximity to the main drag, it can be loud late at night. Those looking for seclusion should consider the more romantic, four-pearl Salgados Dunas Suites, though rates are higher.
The mid-range Santa Eulalia Hotel & Spa's name is a bit misleading, as spa facilities are only available only at an extra charge, and services like facials aren't available (even massages are only available upon request). Still, the 130 rooms are contemporary, if generic, and come with AC, kitchenettes with microwaves and coffeemakers, and furnished outdoor spaces. There's no on-site restaurant, though a bar sells snacks and drinks. The property is close to beaches and a cheap taxi ride from the Old Town, but given the hotel's proximity to the main drag, it can be loud late at night. Those looking for seclusion should consider the more romantic, four-pearl Salgados Dunas Suites, though rates are higher.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Vila Gale Praia is a 40-room boutique right across from the golden sands of Gale Beach. This contemporary hotel has a quiet and relaxed vibe that makes it popular with couples. All rooms have fresh decor, air-conditioning, balconies, and water-stocked mini-fridges; Superior Rooms add bathrobes, slippers, and free minibars. There are a pretty outdoor pool where guests won't have to fight for loungers; wellness area with a sauna, whirlpool, Turkish bath, and small gym; large multimedia room with a snooker table; and all-day restaurant with room service. Freebies include hotel-wide Wi-Fi and breakfast, but the tennis courts and laundry service cost extra. Guests at this hotel must be at least 16 years old, so families with younger children should try the brand's nearby Vila Gale Atlantico, though it's not on the beach.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Vila Gale Praia is a 40-room boutique right across from the golden sands of Gale Beach. This contemporary hotel has a quiet and relaxed vibe that makes it popular with couples. All rooms have fresh decor, air-conditioning, balconies, and water-stocked mini-fridges; Superior Rooms add bathrobes, slippers, and free minibars. There are a pretty outdoor pool where guests won't have to fight for loungers; wellness area with a sauna, whirlpool, Turkish bath, and small gym; large multimedia room with a snooker table; and all-day restaurant with room service. Freebies include hotel-wide Wi-Fi and breakfast, but the tennis courts and laundry service cost extra. Guests at this hotel must be at least 16 years old, so families with younger children should try the brand's nearby Vila Gale Atlantico, though it's not on the beach.
The 310-room Porto Bay Falesia is an upper-middle-range hotel located in the small Algarve town of Olhos de Agua. Its scenic clifftop position is certainly a highlight, offering plenty of superb vantage points over the stunning five-mile stretch of Praia da Falesia beach. Pleasant rooms have modern comforts that include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea/coffee facilities, plus some feature sea-view balconies -- though others overlook the car park. Solid facilities consist of two restaurants, two bars, two pools, and wellness amenities that include a spa and fitness center, plus play areas for children. All in all, it's certainly one of the better options in the area, though those looking for a kid-free stay should check out the nearby Falesia Hotel.
The 310-room Porto Bay Falesia is an upper-middle-range hotel located in the small Algarve town of Olhos de Agua. Its scenic clifftop position is certainly a highlight, offering plenty of superb vantage points over the stunning five-mile stretch of Praia da Falesia beach. Pleasant rooms have modern comforts that include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea/coffee facilities, plus some feature sea-view balconies -- though others overlook the car park. Solid facilities consist of two restaurants, two bars, two pools, and wellness amenities that include a spa and fitness center, plus play areas for children. All in all, it's certainly one of the better options in the area, though those looking for a kid-free stay should check out the nearby Falesia Hotel.
The Forte Do Vale is an upper-middle-range apartment complex in a quiet, residential corner of Albufeira. Apartments are clean, spacious, and well-equipped with full kitchens. The complex includes a wide range of facilities, such as a large terraced swimming pool, a health club and spa, and a restaurant. It might lack atmosphere, and the beaches aren't within easy walking distance, but there's a shuttle on-hand to ferry guests to the famous golden sands of the Algarve, and enough on-site to keep them busy at the complex and in the area.
The Forte Do Vale is an upper-middle-range apartment complex in a quiet, residential corner of Albufeira. Apartments are clean, spacious, and well-equipped with full kitchens. The complex includes a wide range of facilities, such as a large terraced swimming pool, a health club and spa, and a restaurant. It might lack atmosphere, and the beaches aren't within easy walking distance, but there's a shuttle on-hand to ferry guests to the famous golden sands of the Algarve, and enough on-site to keep them busy at the complex and in the area.
The Clube Praia da Oura is a mid-range, 564-room hotel with a prime setting perched on a low cliff overlooking the picturesque Praia da Oura beach. Apartment-style units features kitchenettes and terrace areas, though quality can vary wildly -- some have modern accents and others are dated. Additionally, Wi-Fi isn't free. On-site dining is nothing special, but bars keep everyone lubricated, and the area has plenty of restaurants to offer -- the town of Albufeira is a seven-minute drive away. Features include a gigantic pool, a charming kids' pool with a footbridge, and a children's club. Being popular with vacationing groups means the property can get noisy, so families after more serene surrounds should consider the comparably priced Balaia Golf Village Resort.
The Clube Praia da Oura is a mid-range, 564-room hotel with a prime setting perched on a low cliff overlooking the picturesque Praia da Oura beach. Apartment-style units features kitchenettes and terrace areas, though quality can vary wildly -- some have modern accents and others are dated. Additionally, Wi-Fi isn't free. On-site dining is nothing special, but bars keep everyone lubricated, and the area has plenty of restaurants to offer -- the town of Albufeira is a seven-minute drive away. Features include a gigantic pool, a charming kids' pool with a footbridge, and a children's club. Being popular with vacationing groups means the property can get noisy, so families after more serene surrounds should consider the comparably priced Balaia Golf Village Resort.
The lower-middle-range Monica Isabel Beach Club is a no-frills hotel with a convenient, walkable location to be beach, and short drives to the Old and New Town. The 261 apartment-style rooms are large and bright, with balconies, air-conditioning, and kitchens, but they lack style, featuring outdated appliances, linens, and TVs. On-site, guests will find an outdoor pool with ocean views, a whirlpool, kids' club, two bars, a buffet restaurant, lunchtime snack bar, nightly entertainment, and free Wi-Fi (but only in the lobby). It's worth paying slightly higher rates at the more modern and nearby Luna Clube Oceano.
The lower-middle-range Monica Isabel Beach Club is a no-frills hotel with a convenient, walkable location to be beach, and short drives to the Old and New Town. The 261 apartment-style rooms are large and bright, with balconies, air-conditioning, and kitchens, but they lack style, featuring outdated appliances, linens, and TVs. On-site, guests will find an outdoor pool with ocean views, a whirlpool, kids' club, two bars, a buffet restaurant, lunchtime snack bar, nightly entertainment, and free Wi-Fi (but only in the lobby). It's worth paying slightly higher rates at the more modern and nearby Luna Clube Oceano.
The 135-unit Silchoro Apartments is a budget aparhotel about a 10-minute drive outside Albufeira's old town. Guests can walk to The Strip for entertainment in 10 to 15 minutes, and the hotel provides a free shuttle to the beach and the old town thrice daily. The entire property, including the rooms, is past due for an update, but many budget-conscious guests find that it meets their needs. A coffee shop/restaurant serves all meals, and there's a bar, too. Studios and apartments all have kitchenettes and a balcony or terrace, but lack air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. The two outdoor pools include one for the kids, and there's a playground as well. As an alternative, units at the Solaqua Apartments are more modern and within walking distance of the beach.
The 135-unit Silchoro Apartments is a budget aparhotel about a 10-minute drive outside Albufeira's old town. Guests can walk to The Strip for entertainment in 10 to 15 minutes, and the hotel provides a free shuttle to the beach and the old town thrice daily. The entire property, including the rooms, is past due for an update, but many budget-conscious guests find that it meets their needs. A coffee shop/restaurant serves all meals, and there's a bar, too. Studios and apartments all have kitchenettes and a balcony or terrace, but lack air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. The two outdoor pools include one for the kids, and there's a playground as well. As an alternative, units at the Solaqua Apartments are more modern and within walking distance of the beach.
Torre Velha Hotel is a small, two-pearl hotel, a 10-minute drive from old town Albufeira. It's a bit off the beaten path, but is only a five-minute walk to Castelo Beach. Facilities are limited, with just an outdoor pool, restaurant, and bar. The 35 affordably priced rooms are spartan, though all are clean and well-maintained. Their chief drawback is their lack of air-conditioning and in-room Wi-Fi (though the latter is available in public spaces free of charge). All have mini-fridges and balconies or terraces, some with ocean views. Travelers looking for a better-quality rooms and a location closer to old town Albufeira might consider the Apartamentos Turisticos da Orada.
Torre Velha Hotel is a small, two-pearl hotel, a 10-minute drive from old town Albufeira. It's a bit off the beaten path, but is only a five-minute walk to Castelo Beach. Facilities are limited, with just an outdoor pool, restaurant, and bar. The 35 affordably priced rooms are spartan, though all are clean and well-maintained. Their chief drawback is their lack of air-conditioning and in-room Wi-Fi (though the latter is available in public spaces free of charge). All have mini-fridges and balconies or terraces, some with ocean views. Travelers looking for a better-quality rooms and a location closer to old town Albufeira might consider the Apartamentos Turisticos da Orada.