Praia de Santa Eulália, Albufeira, Portugal | (888) 240-0568
Scenic location 100 yards from the golden sands of Santa Eulália
beach
Many rooms feature sea views from furnished balconies
Apartments available with separate living rooms and
kitchenettes
Extensive eating and drinking options, plus
beachfront nightclub
Large spa with indoor pool, sauna, and jetted tub
Four outdoor pools surrounded by lounge chairs (seasonally heated)
Kids' club, playground, and two tennis courts on-site
Free Wi-Fi
Fee for spa
facilities
Breakfast not
included
Some rooms showing signs of
wear
Dated decor including patterned drapes and bedspreads
The 344-room Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa is a three-pearl, family-friendly complex set just behind the scenic Santa Eulalia beach on the outskirts of Albufeira. On-site facilities are extensive, with four outdoor pools surrounded by wood decks and lounge chairs, multiple dining options with shaded terrace seating, and a large spa. The range of accommodation choices -- from sea-view rooms to apartments with kitchenettes -- is also impressive but decor looks dated in places. The property also includes two tennis courts, a kids' club, and a playground. All in all, rates are competitive for everything on offer, though for slightly cheaper self-catering accommodation check out the clifftop Alfagar Village - Alfagar Aldeamanto Turistico nearby.
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Scene
Large, family-friendly resort complex with relaxed vibe overlooking the beach
A combination of
the gated entrance and a network of cobbled driveways that connect different
parts of the Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort gives this upscale hotel the feel
of a gated community complex. Guests pass between the East and West sections
housing the resort's apartments -- each with neat stretches of lawn and
swimming pool areas -- before arriving at the drop-off loop-road in front of
reception. Stepping inside, the lobby is a large, airy space with high ceilings, terra-cotta tiling, innovative brickwork, and exotic-looking touches such as
oversize clay urns, intricate wood carvings, and patterned azulejo tiles. This
main J-shaped building contains most of the resort's facilities, as well as some rooms, many of which overlook the rear of the property and the hotel's private beach beyond. The vibe is relaxed and cheerful, attracting a mix of
families with kids and vacationing couples, as well as the occasional
conference group.
Location
A short stroll from picturesque Santa Eulália beach just outside Albufeira
This hotel has its own gated entry to the lovely stretch Santa
Eulália beach, about 100 yards away, in the Portuguese Algarve. The nearest town is the popular resort
of Albufeira, whose center is about a 10-minute drive away and is full of lively
shopping streets, bars, and restaurants. Besides other hotels, there's not a
lot within walking distance, though the hotel runs a regular shuttle into town.
Vilamoura, featuring one of the largest tourist complexes in
Europe, is 20 minutes away by car while the nearest airport is Faro, about a 35-minute drive
away.
Rooms
Dated rooms, some with sea views, and apartments with kitchenettes
This resort has a
total of 344 rooms and apartments, coming in various configurations, including Standard Rooms, Studios, One-Bedroom Suites, and Two-Bedroom Suites. Decor blends colorful walls, floral and striped fabrics in curtains and bedspreads, and multi-colored
tiling that creates a cheerful and jaunty vibe -- though the style will strike some as dated and there are a signs of wear and tear. Standard
amenities include free Wi-Fi, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels,
while apartments come with simple but fairly well-equipped kitchen areas. All
accommodations open to furnished balconies or terraces, with many rooms
providing superb sea views.
Features
Excellent choice of dining options, multiple outdoor pools, spa with indoor pool and sauna, and more
This resort
certainly doesn't disappoint in terms of eating and drinking options. Most
meals are served buffet-style in the main restaurant, which features live
cooking stations and an alfresco terrace with sea views (though breakfast is
not generally included). There are three a la carte eateries specializing in
Mediterranean cooking, Italian favorites, and local seafood, plus several bars and a nightclub/diner overlooking the beach. Each section of the
resort has at least one swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs, with four outdoor pools in all (heated
during cooler weather). The extensive spa also features an indoor pool, a sauna, and hydro-massage tub (though a fee is charged to use the facilities). Children have use of a kids'
club and playground, and there are also artificial grass tennis courts and a pool
table. Free parking is available. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
