Dom Pedro Marina

Part of the local Dom Pedro brand, this property is housed in an older but well-maintained stepped building with a plain peach facade. The interiors, however, have a little bit more local charm, with terra-cotta floors throughout, and comfy wicker couches with white upholstery in common spaces. The lobby is simple but airy and cozy, with a spacious, sun-filled seating area featuring traditional wooden furniture and wicker sofas, and large windows overlooking the gardens and the pool. Mirrored surfaces and fake plants make the lobby feel a little dated, but the atmosphere is laid-back and friendly, and the hotel feels welcoming. Just as its sister properties in town, this Dom Pedro draws groups of golfers year-round, which means it is mostly quiet during the day, and livelier at night, when the bar fills with guests having a nightcap after dinner at the marina.

The hotel has a central location on a busy street a two-minute walk from both the marina and the beach. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops within a five-minute walk of the hotel, and the town’s casino can be found just down the street. Dom Pedro Marina has a private area on Vilamoura Beach complete with a restaurant, and loungers and straw umbrellas that guests can rent for a daily fee. There are several other wonderful stretches of sand within a 20-minute drive of the hotel, including Falesia, Oura, and dos Pescadores beaches. The hotel offers free shuttle service to several local golf courses. Faro Airport is a half-hour drive from Dom Pedro, and transfers can be booked for a fee at front desk.

The hotel has 156 rooms ranging from standard Classic Rooms to Presidential Suites with outdoor whirlpools and spacious living areas. Most units have small balconies furnished with a couple of plastic chairs and a table, and offering either marina, garden or ocean views. Rooms are clean, sunny, and comfortable, but decor is simple and somewhat dated throughout, with terra-cotta floors, thin white bedspreads, basic furniture, and striped curtains in yellow, moss-green and red hues. All units are equipped with small flat-screen TVs and fully stocked minibars, but there is a fee for use of safes, and rooms lack coffeemakers. Wi-Fi is only free in the lobby, and in-room Internet access is an extra charge. Bathrooms are clean but average, with shower/tub combos, large mirrors, a few toiletries, and wall-mounted hairdryers. Light sleepers may have issues with the loud terra-cotta floors and thin walls. 

Da Pietro is the hotel’s only restaurant, serving Italian and Portuguese food in a cute dining room with exposed wooden beams and large windows overlooking the garden and the pool. The outdoor pool is big enough for laps, and has a separate wading pool for kids and a seasonal pool bar serving drinks and snacks. Dom Pedro’s private area on the beach features a restaurant with an international menu, as well as loungers and a few straw umbrellas for guests. The hotel also offers a small indoor whirlpool in a sun-filled room with large windows overlooking the garden, six meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment, and free outdoor parking (limited spots available). Wi-Fi is free in the lobby only.