Cheerfulway Clube Brisamar

The Luna Clube Brisamar stands out compared to most of the surrounding properties, for its more traditional architecture, plaster walls, and terra-cotta roof tiles. Though the apartments are worn, the lobby and other common areas are generally in better shape, where hand-laid tiles mingle better with old furnishings. The bar has also had a more recent update than anything else here, a priority for a hotel with few other facilities. Manicured grounds have attractive cobbled walkways that lead between the multiple separate buildings and garden courtyards toward a wide brick sundeck that surrounds the pool area. Most guests are value-minded couples and families making use of the all-inclusive rates and relaxed atmosphere.

This is a quiet residential area near other hotels and vacation apartments, including the Luna Alvor Village, the more upscale sister property next door. Other than a pair of nearby restaurants, a grocery store (a five-minute walk away), and a mini market, there's very little else in the immediate area, though the hotel is around a 15-minute walk to dining and nightlife in downtown Alvor. From Alvor, it's about another 10-minute walk to Alvor Beach. Alternatively, a free shuttle can take guests into town for riverfront seafood restaurants, shops, and nightlife that caters to tourists. The old fishing town also has historic attractions like Alvor Castle and the 16th-­century Matriz Church. The much bigger town of Portimao is about a 16-minute drive away, while Faro Airport is closer to an hour by car.  

The hotel has 107 one-bedroom apartments with separate kitchenettes and private balconies. Dated budget furnishings are the norm, with dirty floor tiles and plain cream walls decorated with a few pieces of artwork that matches the blue accents in the upholstery, curtains, and lampshades. The kitchenettes have been updated with dark granite countertops, but they're a mess of mismatched items and exposed plumbing. Appliances like electric stovetops, microwaves, and toasters are paired with laundry washing machines (a rare extra for the area's apartment-style properties), but there are no dryers. Arched service windows look into the living rooms, which have sofa beds and old tube TVs, along with dining tables. There's a fee for Wi-Fi (it's only free in public areas). The separate bedrooms have small windows and mirrored closets, and are too far from the air conditioners in the living room to be comfortable in summer. The bathrooms have blue and white tiled walls, some of which need a good cleaning, along with old bidets and shower/tub combos.  

All-inclusive rates include meals and drinks (though there may be some exceptions) at the buffet restaurant, lounge bar, and pool bar. The breakfast buffet is has hot options like eggs and bacon, and there are international buffet standards for lunch and dinner (think repetitive fish and meat dishes, with pizza and pasta). Some seasonal entertainment is provided in summer, including dance shows, live music, and karaoke. There's a large brick terrace with tables and chairs alongside the pool bar. The pool and kiddy pool are surrounded by a long brick sundeck with several rows of yellow loungers and umbrellas.  The hotel operates a free shuttle into Alvor, and to the beach, three times a day. Electric bikes are also available to rent. Though the hotel website advertises a kids' club, but guests report it opens sporadically for short periods and parents must stay with their kids rather than dropping them off. Tennis courts are also advertised, but guests report they are overgrown and barely usable; we didn't see them at all during our visit. The pricier Pestana Delfim Hotel does have a kids' club and tennis courts.