Hotel Apartamentos Mirachoro II

Upon first glance, the Mirachoro development is pleasant enough. The building is situated on fairly well-kept grounds with lawns, palm trees, and bushes. However, things are a bit more underwhelming upon stepping inside. The lobby has a dated, homey look, with warm Portuguese-style decor, red-cushioned wicker armchairs, potted plants, and a big-screen TV. The bar features wood-beamed ceilings and dashes of blue in the upholstery, stanchions, and walls. The hotel is divided into two wings of apartments, and Mirachoro III has the newer units, but even these won't look contemporary to anyone. This place is best for self-catering travelers who plan to spend most of their time out exploring. As such, it draws mostly budget-minded couples to its freeform outdoor pool, no-frills apartments, and away-from-the-beach location that means more affordable room rates. Families benefit from the roomy units, but the kids' pool is very small and the hotel has no kids' club. 

Mirachoro Hotel is off the Sao Lourenco da Barrosa thoroughfare, which is well-trafficked, but puts the hotel a bit far from the beach and city center. There are a few restaurants and a supermarket within walking distance, but not much else. Luckily, taxis are fairly cheap and a bus stops right outside the hotel. The shops, restaurants, and the historic Colegio Church in downtown Portimao are a five-minute drive away. It will take the same amount of time to drive to Praia da Rocha and its strip of restaurants and bars. Portimao Marina and the medieval Fort of Santa Catarina are at the eastern end of Praia da Rocha. The hotel provides a thrice-daily shuttle to Praia da Rocha and Portimao city center during summer season. The area with Portimao train station and Portimao Arena is a little over five minutes away by car, and charming little Alvor is a 10-minute drive away. Faro Airport is 45 minutes away by car, and it will take two-and-a-half hours to reach Lisbon by car.

Mirachoro Hotel features a range of studio, one-bedroom, family, and suite apartments divided between Mirachoro II and Mirachoro III wings. Units have a dated budget look, with cheap wood furnishings and trim, old bedspreads, patterned drapery, and faded landscape art on the otherwise bare walls. The color palette is a basic white and brown, with splashes of pastels. The hotel could stand to address signs of wear and tear, and replace some bedding, furnishings, and kitchen appliances. On the other hand, cleanliness is generally very good, and unlike many apartment hotels the rooms are cleaned daily (towels changed every three days).Apartments range from 484 square feet (45 square meters) to 753 square feet (70 square meters), so all are spacious. Units are generally quiet, but some facing the street may get traffic noise. Kitchenettes come standard and include two-burner stovetops, electric kettles, microwaves, toasters, and mid-size fridges. Some double beds are two singles pushed together, which isn't exactly comfortable, and units with living rooms have sofa beds. Standard features include air-conditioning, balconies, and small tube TVs with a limited channel selection. Safes cost extra to use and there is no in-room Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are spacious and include bidets, but some have limited counter space around the sink.

Features are slim here, even by aparthotel standards in the region. There's a freeform outdoor swimming pool, though it's a little bit small for a hotel of this size. Even so, there's generally there's not a problem getting a lounge chair on the deck, which gets good sun for most of the day. There's also an adjacent shaded patio with tables and chairs. A tiny kids' pool is not far from the main pool, though there are no other children's features here, despite the family-sized apartments. The hotel's bar serves breakfast (for a fee) with cooked-to-order eggs and a fairly good range of other hot and cold items. Lunch and dinner aren't served, and there's no room service. The bar serves a good selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the evening. A free seasonal shuttle runs to Praia de Rocha and Portimao city center three times a day. The hotel also has a library, lobby computer, billiards table, bicycle rental, 24-hour front desk, and free parking.