Alfamar Hotel

Alfamar Beach & Sport Resort seems scenic at first, as the property is thick with pine trees and adjacent to the red and white cliffs of Falesia Beach. Unfortunately, the hotel itself is a bit of a letdown, despite there being plenty to do on-site. Interiors are uninspiring, with a muted beige-brown color palette and dated furnishings. The whole feel of the hotel is tired. Grass and other vegetation is worn, there are cracks and other signs of disrepair in the tennis courts and other sports facilities, some of the sports equipment needs to be updated, furnishings in rooms and public spaces need replacement, and cleanliness and maintenance need vast improvement. With its direct beach access, pools, and wealth of sports facilities -- soccer fields, tennis and other sport courts, a weight facility -- the Alfamar appeals to athletic teams and other leisure enthusiasts. However, many others will be put off by the poor physical condition of the hotel. 

This hotel's best asset -- for beach seekers, at least -- is its location right on Falesia Beach, between Albufeira and Vilamoura. There isn't much in the way of commercial activity near the hotel, but about five minutes away by car is the M1289 road, which has several restaurants and bars. Golf is a popular activity in the area, and the Oceanico Golf -- a five-course complex -- is a 15-minute drive away. The Avenida sa Carneiro strip of restaurants and bars is about a 15-minute drive from the property as well, though it's a bit farther to old town Albufeira, for even more restaurants and bars, plus shops, historic attractions, and a marina.  Boliqueime train station is about a 10-minute drive and Faro Airport is 30 minutes by car from the hotel. Expect at two-hour-and-30-minute drive to Lisbon. 

Rooms and suites at here have a spartan look, with cheap furnishings and bedding plus largely bare walls. The overwhelming problem with the rooms is their poor maintenance, and all could use an overhaul. Issues run the gamut from old and worn furnishings, bedding, and appliances to dirt, stains, mold, broken grouting, cracked tiles, and peeling paint. Mattresses on the beds are a bit hard, and some double beds are two singles pushed together. Rooms are at least spacious: Double Rooms are 344 square feet (32 square meters), Junior Suites are 506 square feet (47 square meters), and Suites are 538 square feet (50 square meters). Each of the 264 rooms has a private balcony, some with an ocean view. All come with air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and satellite TV, some of which are tube units. Rooms do not have electric kettles, and there is a fee for Wi-Fi as well as for using the mini-fridges and safes. Bathrooms are spacious and come with hairdryers, bidets, showers, and tubs. Bath products are cheap, and maintenance issues aren't unheard of in bathrooms either. Keep in mind that some rooms are not serviced by elevators.

Alfamar Beach & Sport Resort offers an excellent array of leisure facilities. The hotel is on Falesia Beach, with direct access by walkway. The outdoor pool is about 25 meters long, and it's surrounded by a deck that gets good direct sun throughout the day. A children's pool is adjacent. The hotel also has an indoor pool (heated November - March), and a spa with treatments, a beauty salon, hot tub, and sauna. Sports facilities are where the Alfamar excels. The hotel has three grass soccer fields, a track-and-field complex, volleyball courts, badminton, handball, table tennis, a huge weight-training facility, and 15 tennis courts (red clay, outdoor hard, and indoor hard). Fees apply for the use of tennis courts and equipment. The sports facilities are open to the public for a daily fee. The buffet restaurant serves a hot-and-cold spread for breakfast, and mostly Portuguese fare for lunch and dinner. However, complaints about the food are fairly numerous. Room service is available. The hotel also has a seasonal poolside bar, seasonal beach bar, and lobby bar. A gift shop, lobby computer, tour desk, car rental, and parking (for a fee) are also on site. Wi-Fi is also subject to fees.