Rua Ramalho Ortigao, Praia da Oura, Albufeira, Portugal | (251) 219-4428
Just a couple minutes' walk from the pretty beach
Close to main strip of bars, restaurants, and nightlife
Studios and up to three-bedroom apartments available
In-room kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, and seating
Outdoor swimming pool with a bar open in the summer
Drinks are cheap at the indoor and outdoor bars
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Decor throughout is dated and need of a refresh
Steep hill setting may be difficult for some
Hotel can be noisy at night due to popularity with young groups
Studios have sofa beds instead of real beds
Bathrooms and showers are small
No in-room safe; must rent space in the safe down at reception
Apartmentos Soldoiro is a budget property located a few minutes' walk uphill from the white-sand Algarve beach. The 90 studio and apartment-style rooms were last refurbished in 2010 and are pretty traditional and low on frills, though kept clean. Standard amenities include kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning, plus all but one have a furnished balcony or terrace. Unfortunately, common areas badly need a refurbishment. Given the cheap nightly rate, inexpensive beer from the two bars on-site, and proximity to local nightlife, it's a popular pick with young groups of friends. As such, it can get a bit noisy at night. Beyond the bars and small outdoor pool, there's not a lot on offer here. Nearby, the all-inclusive Praia da Oura is still inexpensive but offers a bit more, including a huge swimming pool.
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Scene
Budget hotel near beach and nightlife; popular with young groups of friends
Guests staying at this hotel come for the nearby beach and nightlife, which are both less than a five-minute walk away. Although the guest rooms were most recently redone in 2010, they're still dated and in need of a refurbishment, as is the entire property. Expect old-fashioned wood furnishings, and a traditional white-and-blue color palette found in pleather lobby seating, room tiling, and sofa beds. Apartamentos Soldoiro is popular with young groups and couples, due to the location, cheap drinks, and reasonable rates. Guests looking for relaxation should know that things can get a bit noisy at night, though rooms that are higher tend to be on the quieter side.
Location
By the beach and nightlife strip
Located in the heart of the popular Algarve region, the apartments are a couple minutes' walk uphill from the beach and about a five-minute walk downhill from Oura Beach's nightlife strip, as well as grocery stores and shops. Guests should know, however, that the hill the property is perched on what's known locally as "Cardiac Hill"; while many guests don't have trouble with it, those who are older or who have mobility issues report difficulty. The larger town near where the apartments are located, Albufeira, is about 10 minutes away by, and the train station is there too. Faro's international airport is about a 45-minute drive away.
Rooms
Traditional apartment-style rooms with clunky sofa beds and kitchenettes
The property offers 90 apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, all of which were last refurbished in 2010. The result is a low-frills, traditional vibe, with white walls and cabinetry, traditionally tiled blue baseboards, and blue pops of color on pillows, seating, and sconces. Most apartments at least partially face the sea, but enough don't so that it's worth specifying when you book; all except one, however, have a balcony or terrace. Kitchenettes in all units are pretty standard, with fridges, microwaves, and stovetops. Studios are on the small side, and guests staying in one should expect a clunky sofa bed instead of a regular bed. The one- to three-bedroom units are more attractive, featuring large living spaces with corner fireplaces and sofas. Beds are charming and traditional, with all-white linens accented by blue-and-white pillows and headboard ornamentation. Bathrooms in all units are small, equipped with tiny showers, wall-mounted hairdryers, and small counters for toiletries (free ones aren't included in studio units). Small flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and dining tables come standard. Sheets are changed every seven days and towels changed every three. There are no in-room safes, but one is available to rent down at reception.
Features
Pleasant outdoor pool and bars
Amenities are limited here, but there is a pleasant, albeit small, outdoor pool. It's surrounded by loungers and umbrellas, and there's an adjacent bar that's open from June to September and serves snacks alongside the standard drink menu. Drinks are cheap here, as well as at the indoor bar. In addition to all-day snacks, a daily continental breakfast is served in the bar area. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
