Luna Alvor Bay

The hotel occupies a 14-story building in a quiet development with several other identical towers, between the beach and the downtown area. Because of its isolation and lack of establishments on the surrounding pot-hole marked roads, the complex has a gritty urban feel that contrasts with the well-kept grounds behind the hedges and low enclosure walls. The lobby has a modern vibe with a floating wood reception desk, backed by stark black walls that make the lime green accents pop. Guests are almost exclusively couples, and neither the studio rooms nor the amenities cater to children. 

Set in a sparse development with a few other apartment buildings, there's nothing of interest right outside the hotel, but it's only about a four-minute walk to the beach. Central Alvor is within a 15-minute walk, where guests can find riverfront seafood restaurants, shops, and nightlife that caters to tourists. The old fishing town also has historic attractions including Alvor Castle and the 16th-­century Matriz Church. There's a bowling alley about a six-minute walk down the road, and several golf courses are in the area within a 20-minute drive. The Algarve region's largest town of Portimao is about a 17-minute drive away, while getting to Faro Airport takes closer to an hour by car.

There are 149 contemporary studio apartments spread across 14 floors, most with at least partial views of the sea, but 40 studios face inland. All have a bright decor with light wood furnishings, paired with some black and lime green accents. We found a pleasant smell of cinnamon on the air and plenty of natural light from the floor-to-ceiling glass balcony doors. The kitchenettes are equipped with ovens and small electric stovetops, microwaves, dishwashers and not quite full-size refrigerators. Guests will also find toasters and espresso machines in the well-stocked cabinets. Sitting areas have a table with a pair of chairs, but there are no couches. Flat-screen TVs come standard, but they're small and sometimes mounted on walls with awkward viewing angles. There's a fee for Wi-Fi (it's only free in public areas). Black and white tiled bathrooms have bidets and shower/tub combos.

There's a small outdoor pool set on a wide sundeck with a bit of green lawn and space for with a few white plastic chairs on either side. Rows of sun loungers and umbrellas are arrayed on the end of the deck, with tables and chairs alongside the building where they are partially shaded from the balconies above. Around the corner, there's a bar terrace with more tables and umbrellas along with some patio lounge furniture under strings of bulb lights. Inside, the lounge bar has a comfortable seating area with a flat-screen TV, along with tables in more of a dining room setting. There's also a breakfast room (the breakfast buffet is not included) with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the pool.