Bayside Salgados

With its bright pink tapered columns and white and yellow facade, the entrance block to the Bayside Salgados is certainly distinctive. Stepping into the small reception area, the bright and playful vibe continues with a pink Cadillac sofa, vibrant artworks on the wall, and a purple-baize pool table. Most of the property consists of four, low-rise accommodation blocks -- also brightened up with splashes of color -- set on simple grounds with tidy lawns dotted with palms and lined with concrete footpaths. While undeniably at the lower end of the market, the feel is intimate and unpretentious, with friendly and attentive staff. Clientele tends to be a mix of families with kids and generally older couples looking for a budget break in the sun.

The hotel has a rather out-of-the-way location in the Herdade dos Salgados development positioned between the Algarve tourist resorts of Armação de Pêra and Albufeira. While there's not a great deal in the immediate surrounds, a mini-market selling groceries, an Italian restaurant, and the 18-hole Salgados Golf Course are all within a 10-minute walk. Also within walking distance is the lovely swathe of unspoiled coastline of Praia da Galé, as is the Salgados Lagoon Nature Reserve. For those who fancy some nightlife, Albufeira's center is about 20 minutes away by car. Faro Airport is located about 40 minutes away.

Renovated in 2013, the resort's 94 air-conditioned studios and one-bedroom apartments are basic but clean, with white walls, tile floors, and their signature pops of pink and turquoise. Apartments all have open-plan living areas with dining furniture, sofas, and kitchenettes with microwaves, electric hobs, kettles, toasters, and fridge-freezers; studios include raised mezzanine bedroom areas as opposed to separate bedrooms. Glass doors open to furnished balconies or terraces, while simple tiled bathrooms include shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and wall-mounted soap dispensers. Wi-Fi is available, but the signal is weak in most apartments; flat-screen TVs also provide satellite channels (a couple are English-speaking).

A breakfast of hot and cold items is served buffet-style in the hotel's colorful restaurant, which is also open for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is not included in the standard rate, though it's fairly cheap and the food generally is a good value. Drinks are also reasonably priced and can be enjoyed on an outdoor terrace or by the pool. The swimming pool is clean and big enough for a proper swim, and sun loungers are plentiful; the pool terrace also includes a splash pool and games such as pool, ping-pong, and table football. Evening entertainment includes the likes of bingo and karaoke. The hotel offers a cheap shuttle bus service that runs to and from Albufeira.