The value-oriented, 107-room Luna Clube Brisamar is the most affordable all-inclusive option in the area. For families on a budget, the price may be right, but the dated one-bedroom apartments are the only type available. They have kitchenettes and balconies, but also old tube TVs; the air conditioners are mounted in the living rooms where they can't cool the bedrooms in hot weather. The outdoor pool has a big sundeck with a bar, and the all-inclusive rates make meals easy with kids, but with just the one buffet restaurant and lounge bar, there aren't many choices. For a significant upgrade, check out more upscale (and more expensive) sister property Luna Alvor Village, which is right next door -- but lose the all-inclusive package. The Pestana Delfim is a pricier all-inclusive option with a location closer to the beach.
The value-oriented, 107-room Luna Clube Brisamar is the most affordable all-inclusive option in the area. For families on a budget, the price may be right, but the dated one-bedroom apartments are the only type available. They have kitchenettes and balconies, but also old tube TVs; the air conditioners are mounted in the living rooms where they can't cool the bedrooms in hot weather. The outdoor pool has a big sundeck with a bar, and the all-inclusive rates make meals easy with kids, but with just the one buffet restaurant and lounge bar, there aren't many choices. For a significant upgrade, check out more upscale (and more expensive) sister property Luna Alvor Village, which is right next door -- but lose the all-inclusive package. The Pestana Delfim is a pricier all-inclusive option with a location closer to the beach.
Two-and-a-half-pearl Pestana Alvor Atlantico is a five-minute walk from vast Alvor Beach and a five-minute drive to the center of Alvor. It lacks many on-site facilities, but does have a nice indoor pool. Guests can use the feature at the sister hotel next door, which include outdoor saltwater pools, a gym, spa, and a poolside restaurant with evening entertainment. The 88 apartments are modern and bright, with balconies and kitchenettes, plus sofabeds that are useful additions for families. Wi-Fi is free and all apartments are air-conditioned. If the lack of facilities are a deal-breaker, travelers might prefer to stay in the sister hotel itself, Pestana Dom Joao II. It has similar rates, but self-catering isn't an option there.
Two-and-a-half-pearl Pestana Alvor Atlantico is a five-minute walk from vast Alvor Beach and a five-minute drive to the center of Alvor. It lacks many on-site facilities, but does have a nice indoor pool. Guests can use the feature at the sister hotel next door, which include outdoor saltwater pools, a gym, spa, and a poolside restaurant with evening entertainment. The 88 apartments are modern and bright, with balconies and kitchenettes, plus sofabeds that are useful additions for families. Wi-Fi is free and all apartments are air-conditioned. If the lack of facilities are a deal-breaker, travelers might prefer to stay in the sister hotel itself, Pestana Dom Joao II. It has similar rates, but self-catering isn't an option there.
Situated on a cliff on the outskirts of town, the upscale Pestana Alvor Praia is surrounded by landscaped gardens with direct access to one best beaches in the touristy Algarve region. The romantic property is well-suited to couples, and has indoor and outdoor pools, Portuguese cuisine, and a pool bar. The 195 rooms have a slightly dated decor style, but their beachy blue and yellow decor remains inviting and most have balconies with sea views. The comparable Pestana Dom Joao II also has direct beach access, and is closer to downtown Alvor.
Situated on a cliff on the outskirts of town, the upscale Pestana Alvor Praia is surrounded by landscaped gardens with direct access to one best beaches in the touristy Algarve region. The romantic property is well-suited to couples, and has indoor and outdoor pools, Portuguese cuisine, and a pool bar. The 195 rooms have a slightly dated decor style, but their beachy blue and yellow decor remains inviting and most have balconies with sea views. The comparable Pestana Dom Joao II also has direct beach access, and is closer to downtown Alvor.
The three-pearl AlvorMar - Apartamentos Turisticos is a condo-style property ideal for anyone seeking a quiet, self-catering beach vacation without much fuss or distraction. The hotel's immediate area is rather slow, though guests are within walking distance to all the necessities and Portimao is only a five-minute drive north. All 50 rooms here are big, though there is a big discrepancy between the simple and dated, non-renovated rooms and the contemporary, 2016-renovated rooms on the top floor. Most of the on-site features -- a heated saltwater pool (and kiddy pool), library, playground, and poolside snack bar serving bites and drinks -- are located on the renovated floor, but not all. Travelers looking to stay in the same price point but closer to the beach, should check out Luna Alvor Bay, though rooms lack free Wi-Fi.
The three-pearl AlvorMar - Apartamentos Turisticos is a condo-style property ideal for anyone seeking a quiet, self-catering beach vacation without much fuss or distraction. The hotel's immediate area is rather slow, though guests are within walking distance to all the necessities and Portimao is only a five-minute drive north. All 50 rooms here are big, though there is a big discrepancy between the simple and dated, non-renovated rooms and the contemporary, 2016-renovated rooms on the top floor. Most of the on-site features -- a heated saltwater pool (and kiddy pool), library, playground, and poolside snack bar serving bites and drinks -- are located on the renovated floor, but not all. Travelers looking to stay in the same price point but closer to the beach, should check out Luna Alvor Bay, though rooms lack free Wi-Fi.
Prainha Clube is a four-pearl hotel above the cliffs overlooking Alvor Bay, with direct access to the beach and amenities at Prainha Village. The grounds are beautiful -- with sunbathing lawns that slope down toward a cliffside pool -- and the 61 sleek, white rooms have kitchenettes and balconies for enjoying the view. Several dining options include a beach bar and restaurant built into the cliff, but most are only open seasonally. There are also plenty of fees, with charges for everything from Wi-Fi, to gym access, to use of pool lounge chairs. It's worth comparing prices and amenities with the neighboring Pestana Alvor Praia, where more is included with standard rates -- but note that its rooms lack the kitchenettes found here.
Prainha Clube is a four-pearl hotel above the cliffs overlooking Alvor Bay, with direct access to the beach and amenities at Prainha Village. The grounds are beautiful -- with sunbathing lawns that slope down toward a cliffside pool -- and the 61 sleek, white rooms have kitchenettes and balconies for enjoying the view. Several dining options include a beach bar and restaurant built into the cliff, but most are only open seasonally. There are also plenty of fees, with charges for everything from Wi-Fi, to gym access, to use of pool lounge chairs. It's worth comparing prices and amenities with the neighboring Pestana Alvor Praia, where more is included with standard rates -- but note that its rooms lack the kitchenettes found here.
The 402-room, upscale Alvor Baia Hotel Apartamento is in a residential neighborhood with little of interest in the immediate area, and it's a 20-minute walk from the beach -- though the hotel offers a free shuttle. It's especially popular with families, thanks to its expansive grounds with an enormous (if chilly) outdoor pool, playgrounds, kids' club, apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes, and lively animation team. Features include a spa, two buffet restaurants, and a bar with nightly entertainment, though the food gets mixed reviews and lacks variety (especially for those on longer stays). Breakfast is included and all-inclusive rates are also available (somewhat rare for the area), though all the dining options have the ambience of a student cafeteria. Still, rooms are more modern than those at the Pestana Alvor, which also lacks the kids' club and all-inclusive option found here -- but the Pestana Alvor is significantly smaller, with a quieter vibe and fewer crowds. Those who want to be right on the beach and don't need to go all-inclusive should consider the Pestana Dom Joao II.
The 402-room, upscale Alvor Baia Hotel Apartamento is in a residential neighborhood with little of interest in the immediate area, and it's a 20-minute walk from the beach -- though the hotel offers a free shuttle. It's especially popular with families, thanks to its expansive grounds with an enormous (if chilly) outdoor pool, playgrounds, kids' club, apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes, and lively animation team. Features include a spa, two buffet restaurants, and a bar with nightly entertainment, though the food gets mixed reviews and lacks variety (especially for those on longer stays). Breakfast is included and all-inclusive rates are also available (somewhat rare for the area), though all the dining options have the ambience of a student cafeteria. Still, rooms are more modern than those at the Pestana Alvor, which also lacks the kids' club and all-inclusive option found here -- but the Pestana Alvor is significantly smaller, with a quieter vibe and fewer crowds. Those who want to be right on the beach and don't need to go all-inclusive should consider the Pestana Dom Joao II.
The Yellow Alvor Garden is a mid-range, 155-room hotel set in quiet gardens just north of downtown Alvor. The rooms are colorful and have private balconies, but the dated TVs and extra fees to use the safes and minibars are a downside. There's a free shuttle to town and the beach, and rates are typically lower than at the Pestana Delfim Hotel, which is walking distance to the sand and one of the only other all-inclusive options in the area. All-inclusive rates include meals and beverages at the restaurant and two bars, though don't expect much variety. The indoor and outdoor pools provide leisure opportunities for those sticking around during the day, but other facilities leave much to be desired.
The Yellow Alvor Garden is a mid-range, 155-room hotel set in quiet gardens just north of downtown Alvor. The rooms are colorful and have private balconies, but the dated TVs and extra fees to use the safes and minibars are a downside. There's a free shuttle to town and the beach, and rates are typically lower than at the Pestana Delfim Hotel, which is walking distance to the sand and one of the only other all-inclusive options in the area. All-inclusive rates include meals and beverages at the restaurant and two bars, though don't expect much variety. The indoor and outdoor pools provide leisure opportunities for those sticking around during the day, but other facilities leave much to be desired.
The all-inclusive, mid-range Pestana Delfim Hotel sits off the beach near a stretch of coast that's crowded with other Pestana Hotel Group properties. This one is just behind the upscale Pestana Alvor Praia, giving guests relatively easy beach access, even though the hotel isn't on the water. Facilities abound, including a large outdoor pool, tennis courts, game room, and a kids' club, but the whole property is thoroughly dated. Most of the 312 rooms have private balconies with sea views, but the garish old decor and tube TVs aren't up to advertised four-star standards. It's worth comparing rates and amenities at Pestana's Dom Joao II, which has better food and rooms, or at the adjacent Alvor Praia -- but unlike the Delfim, neither are all-inclusive.
The all-inclusive, mid-range Pestana Delfim Hotel sits off the beach near a stretch of coast that's crowded with other Pestana Hotel Group properties. This one is just behind the upscale Pestana Alvor Praia, giving guests relatively easy beach access, even though the hotel isn't on the water. Facilities abound, including a large outdoor pool, tennis courts, game room, and a kids' club, but the whole property is thoroughly dated. Most of the 312 rooms have private balconies with sea views, but the garish old decor and tube TVs aren't up to advertised four-star standards. It's worth comparing rates and amenities at Pestana's Dom Joao II, which has better food and rooms, or at the adjacent Alvor Praia -- but unlike the Delfim, neither are all-inclusive.
The Pestana Hotel Group has the market cornered on upscale hotels in Alvor, and the Dom Joao II is one of its most noteworthy properties. The 384 contemporary rooms are colorful and have private balconies, though not all have sea views. The hotel offers direct access to the great Tres Irmaos Beach and is within walking distance of restaurants and shops in Alvor. There's a lot here, from indoor and outdoor pools to a game room to outdoor activities, though some of the amenities are available only in the summer. Travelers looking to spread out should check out the Pestana Dom Joao Villas, which shares the same property; it's also worth comparing rates and features at the much newer Pestana Alvor South Beach next door.
The Pestana Hotel Group has the market cornered on upscale hotels in Alvor, and the Dom Joao II is one of its most noteworthy properties. The 384 contemporary rooms are colorful and have private balconies, though not all have sea views. The hotel offers direct access to the great Tres Irmaos Beach and is within walking distance of restaurants and shops in Alvor. There's a lot here, from indoor and outdoor pools to a game room to outdoor activities, though some of the amenities are available only in the summer. Travelers looking to spread out should check out the Pestana Dom Joao Villas, which shares the same property; it's also worth comparing rates and features at the much newer Pestana Alvor South Beach next door.
North of downtown, the Luna Alvor Village is an upscale hotel in a quiet residential area, with apartment-style rooms that have kitchenettes, private balconies, and jetted tubs. The large outdoor pool is set in an attractive sundeck, surrounded by a wide open sunbathing lawns. Breakfast is included and there's a lounge bar with a handsome outdoor terrace. Other facilities are limited compared to competitors in this category, but rates are much cheaper here. Travelers looking for an apartment-style hotel with more features and a location closer to the beach should consider the Pestana Alvor Park Hotel, but note that its rooms are more dated.
North of downtown, the Luna Alvor Village is an upscale hotel in a quiet residential area, with apartment-style rooms that have kitchenettes, private balconies, and jetted tubs. The large outdoor pool is set in an attractive sundeck, surrounded by a wide open sunbathing lawns. Breakfast is included and there's a lounge bar with a handsome outdoor terrace. Other facilities are limited compared to competitors in this category, but rates are much cheaper here. Travelers looking for an apartment-style hotel with more features and a location closer to the beach should consider the Pestana Alvor Park Hotel, but note that its rooms are more dated.