Canavial I & II Apartments

Upon first glance, you might not even know you'd arrived at the Canavial Apartments, as its low-rise buildings blend in with the quiet residential neighborhood. That's part of its charm, though, and despite a no-frills, dated style, most guests are here for the home-away-from-home atmosphere. This family-owned property is well cared for, and each compound is surrounded by hedges and walls, giving it a bit of privacy. You might hear children playing in the pool or on the lawns, but on the whole this is a tranquil place to unwind in the Algarve's abundant sunshine. Depending on the time of year, guests are either families that spend most of their time on-site, or mature couples who are out exploring or visiting the nearby beach. During our visit, there was little noise beside the sounds of birds in the fruit trees all around.

Travelers looking for an away-from-it-all vibe are in luck as there isn't much nearby beyond other houses and low-rise apartment complexes. There's a grocery store within a 10-minute walk (or two-minute drive), which is handy for stocking the kitchenettes. For more dining and drinking options, head into the charming old town of Lagos, which is a five- to 10-minute drive away. By following the local roads and a path down the cliffs, it's a 10-minute walk to the secluded, golden sands of Praia do Canavial, which connects with larger Praia de Porto de Mos. There are also paths along the clifftops all the way to scenic Ponta da Piedade, which has scenic views down to the rock formations and natural arches in the sea below. The walk will take about 20 minutes. Budget an hour to reach Faro's airport by car, and Lisbon is around a two-and-a-half-hour drive away.

The apartments here are pleasant enough, though the style is undeniably dated and homey. Expect to see patterned or color-block bedspreads, lots of pastel hues, nautically themed wall art, and older oak-veneer furniture. They are reasonably spacious, with room for dining tables and additional seating in most rooms. All open to some sort of terrace or balcony with furniture, handy for soaking up the abundant regional sunshine (which we saw plenty of guests doing during our visit). Rooms can hold up to three guests, and there are two other buildings in which the hotel rents out bedrooms and allows guests to share the kitchen and bath facilities. 

All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and safes, though there's a fee to use the latter. Kitchenettes also come standard and include electric burners, older microwaves, coffeemakers, kettles, and both cooking and dining ware. Brightly tiled bathrooms have shower/tub combos and pedestal sinks with little counter space. Simple toiletries are provided. Daily housekeeping is also available. 

Features are slim at this property, and most guests are here to simply enjoy the sunshine and location near the beach and downtown Lagos. There are nice outdoor pools at each compound that are surrounded by sun loungers and pretty lawns. Kids are often seen outside playing. Parking is available on the street and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.