Rua do Malpique, Albufeira, Portugal | 351 289 583 010
Hilltop location with lovely views of the city and sea
Five- to 10-minute walk to the center of Albufeira
Spacious studios and apartments with kitchens and balconies or terraces
Two outdoor pools and sun terrace plus rooftop bar
Sauna and Turkish bath (for a fee)
Free parking
Internet station (for a fee)
Wi-Fi is available only in lobby of one of the two buildings and for a fee
Less mobile guests may have difficulty with steps and hilltop location
Soundproofing is weak and no air-conditioning in one building
Rooms could use updating
Housekeeping is only every other day
No restaurant or elevator
The 64-unit Cerro Malpique Aparthotel is a two-and-a-half-pearl property situated on a residential hilltop overlooking Albufeira's old town and the sea. It's a five- to 10-minute walk to the town's restaurants, shops, and pubs, but the trip does involve stairs and hills. Studios and apartments are spacious and clean, although a bit dated. They have nicely equipped kitchens and a balcony or terrace, some with beautiful town and sea view, but not all are air-conditioned. A bar serves one of the two outdoor pools. There's no restaurant at the hotel, housekeeping is limited, and there are fees for limited Wi-Fi. Families looking for more kid-friendly amenities could check out the similar Solaqua Apartments, which has an indoor pool, kids' pool, and playground, but is farther from town and the beach.
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Scene
Apartment hotel with two pools and nicely maintained grounds
There's not much to distinguish the Cerro Malpique from Albufeira's glut of aparthotels, except for a few shortcomings when it comes to fees and services. This hotel is divided into two buildings, one newer than the other, though both are dated. Guests check-in at the older building. The lobby is a long, narrow space with turquoise walls behind the white reception desk. A wicker sofa and a few chairs provide places for guests to sit, and tourist brochures are displayed on a rack. Large potted plants accent the courtyard between the two buildings, and there's an outdoor pool table for entertainment. Some rooms are accessed via exterior hallways and some are inside, though there's no elevator. The hotel is closed in the winter. It attracts mostly self-sufficient couples and families looking for reasonable rates in a good location. Groups also make their way here.
Location
Hilltop location within a five to 15-minute walk of old town and the beach
This hotel is located on a hllltop in a quiet residential neighborhood just outside of Albufeira's old town. There's not much immediately around the hotel, but shops, restaurants, and pubs are within an easy walk (except for the steps that lead to the old town). Expect a five- to 15-minute walk depending on the destination. There's a beach in town, and lounge chairs can be rented on the sand. A car will be handy for those wanting to explore the Algarve's many quaint towns and family-friendly destinations. Zoomarine Algarve is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. It's a 45-minute drive to Lagos, and an hour to Sagres. Expect about a 35-minute drive to Faro Airport and a little over two hours to Lisbon and its airport.
Rooms
Spacious and clean -- but dated -- studios and apartments with full kitchens
This apartment-style hotel offers studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments, all with fully equipped kitchens. Studios accommodate two people in twin beds. They also have a sofa and dining table and chairs. Units in the older building are rather outdated and worn, with tube-style TVs, out-of-date fabrics on beds and windows, and appliances that look past their prime. Bathrooms show some mildew stains, but they are otherwise clean and have shower/tub combos. Only soap is provided. Apartments in the newer building are more colorful (perhaps too colorful for some guests), with purple sofas and bright pink tile plus yellow and pink drapery. Although they are newer, they still have a dated look and old tube TVs, but they do have air conditioning, which the other building does not have. Bathrooms feature brightly colored tiling. All units have a furnished balcony or terrace, some with nice views of the city and some of the sea. Keep in mind that daily housekeeping isn't available, and there is no Wi-Fi in the apartments, paid or otherwise. Noise can also be an issue as soundproofing is poor.
Features
Limited options include two outdoor pools with lounge chairs and a whirlpool
The hotel does not have much in the way of features, but it does have two outdoor pools, one at each building. The one at the older building is larger and has more deck space. Bright yellow lounge chairs surround it, and potted palm trees provide a little shade, as do bright yellow and blue umbrellas. The second pool is rectangular and suitable for swimming laps, although deck space and lounge chairs are limited. A whirlpool is adjacent, with a little more deck space. Some rooms look directly onto the pools and have their own lounge chairs. One of the pools has a bar. A sauna and Turkish bath are available, though they require a fee. Parking is free, and Wi-Fi is only available in one of the lobbies for a fee.
