EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel is a 229-room luxury resort characterized by ultra-modern interiors and upscale facilities. Its lush, immaculate grounds offer direct access to a beautiful stretch of sandy beach on the Algarve coast. The 229 chic rooms feature high-end amenities such as Nespresso machines, and many have views of the Atlantic from their terraces. Sleek bathrooms have both showers and standalone soaking tubs. With great dining, decent family-friendly facilities, and a super-luxe spa, the hotel stands out as one of the best in the region. In the area, only the intimate and significantly pricier Vila Joya is more luxurious; Salgados Dunas Suites and Vidamar Resort Algarve are slightly less expensive and less luxurious.
EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel is a 229-room luxury resort characterized by ultra-modern interiors and upscale facilities. Its lush, immaculate grounds offer direct access to a beautiful stretch of sandy beach on the Algarve coast. The 229 chic rooms feature high-end amenities such as Nespresso machines, and many have views of the Atlantic from their terraces. Sleek bathrooms have both showers and standalone soaking tubs. With great dining, decent family-friendly facilities, and a super-luxe spa, the hotel stands out as one of the best in the region. In the area, only the intimate and significantly pricier Vila Joya is more luxurious; Salgados Dunas Suites and Vidamar Resort Algarve are slightly less expensive and less luxurious.
Located a short walk from sandy Santa Eulalia Beach, the 189-room Alfagar Alto da Colina is an upper-middle-range property with plenty of family-friendly amenities, including five pools (one of them indoors and heated), a seasonal entertainment program, fun splash park for children, playground, and small game room with arcade machines. Use of the kids’ club, though, is an extra charge. Apartments are simple but clean, sunny, and well-equipped, featuring kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and furnished terraces -- some with pretty sea views. Self-catering, breakfast-only, and half-board rates are available, and food gets good reviews both for variety and taste. The vibe here is casual and relaxed, so those wanting a bustling vacation with nonstop entertainment and music may want to look at the Grand Muthu Oura View Beach Club.
Located a short walk from sandy Santa Eulalia Beach, the 189-room Alfagar Alto da Colina is an upper-middle-range property with plenty of family-friendly amenities, including five pools (one of them indoors and heated), a seasonal entertainment program, fun splash park for children, playground, and small game room with arcade machines. Use of the kids’ club, though, is an extra charge. Apartments are simple but clean, sunny, and well-equipped, featuring kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and furnished terraces -- some with pretty sea views. Self-catering, breakfast-only, and half-board rates are available, and food gets good reviews both for variety and taste. The vibe here is casual and relaxed, so those wanting a bustling vacation with nonstop entertainment and music may want to look at the Grand Muthu Oura View Beach Club.
Bayside Salgados is a budget apartment complex with a colorful and friendly ambience set in a fairly remote development that's a 15- to 20-minute drive to Albufeira. Its 94 studios and one-bedroom apartments are simple but clean, and equipped with basic cooking facilities and free (albeit weak) Wi-Fi. On-site dining is good quality and reasonably priced, and there's plenty of space in and around the outdoor pool. The hotel attracts mostly families and older couples; those looking for cheap apartments closer to nightlife should take a look at Choromar Apartments on the edge of Albufeira.
Bayside Salgados is a budget apartment complex with a colorful and friendly ambience set in a fairly remote development that's a 15- to 20-minute drive to Albufeira. Its 94 studios and one-bedroom apartments are simple but clean, and equipped with basic cooking facilities and free (albeit weak) Wi-Fi. On-site dining is good quality and reasonably priced, and there's plenty of space in and around the outdoor pool. The hotel attracts mostly families and older couples; those looking for cheap apartments closer to nightlife should take a look at Choromar Apartments on the edge of Albufeira.
You want views? At the adult-only Belver Boa Vista Hotel & Spa, you're in luck. The hilltop location means vantages across the city and sea are spectacular from many spots throughout the hotel. Ultimately, though, while this two-and-a-half-pearl property does have a lovely pool with sea views, it's seen better days. The 84 rooms are dated and have a cheap, rickety style, though they include free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. The best rooms have balconies with sea views. There's a clinical-looking spa with a Turkish bath and sauna, as well as a basic fitness room with cardio equipment. Breakfast buffets are included in rates, and the restaurant serves lunch and dinner as well. For an adult-only alternative with more style, check out the Falesia Hotel, though it's farther from Albufeira.
You want views? At the adult-only Belver Boa Vista Hotel & Spa, you're in luck. The hilltop location means vantages across the city and sea are spectacular from many spots throughout the hotel. Ultimately, though, while this two-and-a-half-pearl property does have a lovely pool with sea views, it's seen better days. The 84 rooms are dated and have a cheap, rickety style, though they include free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. The best rooms have balconies with sea views. There's a clinical-looking spa with a Turkish bath and sauna, as well as a basic fitness room with cardio equipment. Breakfast buffets are included in rates, and the restaurant serves lunch and dinner as well. For an adult-only alternative with more style, check out the Falesia Hotel, though it's farther from Albufeira.
The 362-room Hotel Montechoro is a two-and-a-half-pearl property that's a 10-minute drive from Albufeira's lively town center. The immediate area is quiet, though the hotel runs a free shuttle to the beach and town (except for Sunday). Dining is available at the restaurant and two bars. Rooms are spacious, but in need of an update and lack Wi-Fi. The best features of the hotel and rooms are the beautiful views over the town, the sea, and distant mountains. The large outdoor pool is also a plus, as is the health club with tennis and squash courts (fee). Self-sufficient travelers who don't need to be within walking distance of the beach could check out the nearby Vila Petra Aparthotel, where there's an indoor pool and simple rooms have kitchenettes.
The 362-room Hotel Montechoro is a two-and-a-half-pearl property that's a 10-minute drive from Albufeira's lively town center. The immediate area is quiet, though the hotel runs a free shuttle to the beach and town (except for Sunday). Dining is available at the restaurant and two bars. Rooms are spacious, but in need of an update and lack Wi-Fi. The best features of the hotel and rooms are the beautiful views over the town, the sea, and distant mountains. The large outdoor pool is also a plus, as is the health club with tennis and squash courts (fee). Self-sufficient travelers who don't need to be within walking distance of the beach could check out the nearby Vila Petra Aparthotel, where there's an indoor pool and simple rooms have kitchenettes.
The Balaia Golf Village Resort is a family-friendly, three-pearl complex set in extensive and well-tended gardens on the quieter outskirts of Albufeira. Its 250 homey apartments and villas are spread throughout the grounds, and all include full kitchens and terraces. Splash pools, playgrounds, and a kids' club make this a solid pick for families, though tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, and a modern fitness center are bonuses for adults. The resort also has an impressive six outdoor pools, plus one indoor pool, and is within 12 minutes' walk of a lovely beach. Eating and drinking options could be better and some units could use a makeover. More contemporary apartments -- and a small waterpark -- can be found next door at the Holiday Village Algarve Balaia.
The Balaia Golf Village Resort is a family-friendly, three-pearl complex set in extensive and well-tended gardens on the quieter outskirts of Albufeira. Its 250 homey apartments and villas are spread throughout the grounds, and all include full kitchens and terraces. Splash pools, playgrounds, and a kids' club make this a solid pick for families, though tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, and a modern fitness center are bonuses for adults. The resort also has an impressive six outdoor pools, plus one indoor pool, and is within 12 minutes' walk of a lovely beach. Eating and drinking options could be better and some units could use a makeover. More contemporary apartments -- and a small waterpark -- can be found next door at the Holiday Village Algarve Balaia.
Alfamar Beach & Sport Resort is a two-pearl hotel on Falesia Beach, about a 15-minute drive east of Albufeira. It's all about sports and recreation here. In addition to direct beach access, the hotel has an outdoor pool and children's pool, indoor pool, spa, sauna, tennis courts, soccer fields, a track and field complex, and numerous other athletic facilities. But the experience is marred by the hotel's dated style and dire need for renovations. The 264 rooms are spacious and come with balconies (some with ocean views), but there's a fee for Wi-Fi throughout the property. Those who want something more stylish -- and who don't have kids under 13 with them -- should check out the Aqua Pedra dos Bicos, which is closer to Albufeira and has similar rates.
Alfamar Beach & Sport Resort is a two-pearl hotel on Falesia Beach, about a 15-minute drive east of Albufeira. It's all about sports and recreation here. In addition to direct beach access, the hotel has an outdoor pool and children's pool, indoor pool, spa, sauna, tennis courts, soccer fields, a track and field complex, and numerous other athletic facilities. But the experience is marred by the hotel's dated style and dire need for renovations. The 264 rooms are spacious and come with balconies (some with ocean views), but there's a fee for Wi-Fi throughout the property. Those who want something more stylish -- and who don't have kids under 13 with them -- should check out the Aqua Pedra dos Bicos, which is closer to Albufeira and has similar rates.