NAU Sao Rafael Suites – All Inclusive

We recently returned from a wonderfully relaxing week at Sao Rafael Suites in Albufeira, Portugal, and I wholeheartedly recommend it for those seeking a peaceful getaway. We travelled in January, which meant enjoying the area at its quietest – a real bonus if you’re looking to escape the crowds! The suites themselves are fantastic - incredibly spacious, and spotlessly clean. Ours had a lovely balcony overlooking the garden & pool area and towards the sea, providing a peaceful spot for watching the sun set even though we weren't quite warm enough for sunbathing yet! What truly made our stay special was the staff. Every member of the team – from reception to housekeeping, and particularly the friendly restaurant staff - were incredibly welcoming, helpful and attentive. We’d like to give a special mention to Richard and Ladysee – they were consistently cheerful, always stopping for a friendly conversation whenever we saw them, providing fantastic tips on places to visit, and genuinely willing to go the extra mile to make our stay as pleasurable as possible. The food at Sao Rafael Suites was a highlight! The breakfast buffet had a great selection of fresh breads, pastries, fruits, cereals, and hot options – more than enough to fuel our days exploring. We also dined at the hotel restaurant at lunch/afternoon, and evening meals and were blown away by the quality of the cuisine. Large selection of dishes, beautifully presented, and delicious desserts – it was a real treat every time. The location is perfect if you want a quieter base with easy access to Albufeira’s centre. It's around a 30-minute walk along the coastal path – a lovely stroll, although be prepared for some hills! Taxis are readily available too if you prefer. It’s worth noting that January is definitely out of season. The temperatures were lower which meant the outdoor pool was far too cold for swimming and the sea bracing to say the least! However, this didn't detract from our enjoyment at all – it simply meant we focused on exploring the local area, enjoying long walks, and relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere of the hotel. Highlights: Spacious & Impeccably Clean Suites. Exceptional Staff: Warm, friendly and incredibly helpful team. Delicious Food: Excellent buffet and restaurant options at breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks and evening meals. Peaceful Location: Quiet setting with a 30-minute coastal walk to Albufeira centre. Great Value for Money (Out of Season): We felt we got excellent value during January. Things to Consider (January Travel): Cold Pool & Sea: Don’t expect swimming in the ocean or pool! Pack layers and enjoy exploring instead. Quieter Atmosphere: If you're looking for a lively party scene, probably not the best time – but perfect if you want relaxation. Overall, Sao Rafael Suites provided us with a truly tranquil escape. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a comfortable, well-maintained base in Albufeira, especially during the quieter winter months. We would definitely return!

An amazing hotel with a perfect location and outstanding staff and services! The room was large, comfortable, and exceptionally clean.

I wasn't sure what to expect as some of the reviews gave mixed signals. From the moment we walked through the front door we were welcomed immediately and told that due to it being Christmas Eve the Restaurant was closing early so we left our bags in our room and went to eat. The food was plentiful and the staff were attentive and helpful which is a credit to whole Restaurant family, I cannot say enough about the staff and how they made our experience a pleasant and refreshing one, from the cleaning team to the reception team to the restaurant team were a credit to the hotel. There were so many stand out people too many to mention. Rest assured from start to finish the holiday will be worth the effort you put in and the staff all go above and beyond

We stayed in NAU Albufeira for 4 days and were really impressed with the food. Every meal offered great variety, with plenty of tasty options to choose from. Everything we tried was fresh and well-prepared, and there was always something new to enjoy. The food definitely made our stay even better! Highly recommended for anyone who loves good meals while on holiday

The highlight of our stay was definitely the buffet. There was an excellent variety of food at every meal, with something to suit all tastes. The quality was consistently high, ingredients were fresh, and dishes were well presented. We especially appreciated the wide choice of options, the daily changes to the menu, which meant meals never felt repetitive. Desserts were also fantastic, with plenty of options to choose from.

This hotel is not by any means a five star hotel. It is very substandard. Whoever has rated this hotel as a 5 star hotel needs to look at its marking system again. While there my partner had jewellery worth a substantial amount of money stolen from our room. Bathrooms are mouldy, and furniture damaged. Balconies aroind the hotel are crumbling and are a health hazard. There is mould on the outdoor swimming pool which is a clip and health hazard.

My wife and I stayed at this hotel over Xmas. I’m afraid we will remember this vacation for all the wrong reasons. Excessively cold rooms, bed linen summer level no duvets or blankets. Requested extra blanket but nothing delivered till the 3rd day of a 4 night stay. Had to go to bed in clothing to keep warm. Breakfast, the breakfast buffet was stone cold. Reported to the waiter who had no clue what to do, (no management in sight) I suggested he told the kitchen. Their solution was to warm our breakfast in the microwave. No thanks. The cold food was not taken away from the buffet while I was there. Dinner sittings were 20-30 min waits queued in the corridor before you were given a table. The bar, 2 bar men, but only 1 serving. It could be ten people deep waiting but it made no difference. When you did get a drink we were served with plastic cups? Very nice to have cocktails in plastic cups. I could go on. We left the hotel 1 day early. I was tired of feeling cold, and queuing for food and drink I think the hotel needs to rethink its operating level. They advertise 5 star, but based on the service level I experienced they are far away from that. This just serves to raise customer expectation they are not reaching.

We arrived for a 4 night stay in late December, as I write this I am still here, leaving tomorrow. We have loved our stay! We heard that maybe it was better suited as a 4 star hotel, rather than 5. And although that maybe true for the rooms, which are somewhat shabby and have the odd broken bulb and chipped tile, it most certainly isn’t true for the communal areas and the staff. They truly deserve 5 stars. We have loved each and every meal time, and every interaction with the staff. In particular the restaurant staff. The hotel is clean, tidy and incredibly well run. The food was delightful and plenty of options. My only criticism, aside from the shabbiness of the suites is the restaurant could benefit from slightly more vegan options and clearer signage for allergens. We truly loved our stay. Thank you!

We had a very pleasant and comfortable stay. Special thanks to the reception lady for kindly allocating us such nice rooms and for being very considerate of my medical condition. The food was excellent—healthy, tasty, and with great variety. Many thanks to the chef for the fresh salads, delicious hot dishes made with fresh vegetables and meat, and the well-balanced desserts with healthy, low-sugar options. A very special thank you to the restaurant manager, Ana, for her warm care, friendliness, and rich local knowledge. Her suggestions really helped us enjoy the history and culture of the area. All the hotel staff were friendly and helpful. We truly enjoyed our stay and would happily recommend this hotel.

The locations is not so bad, but you need a car to go further. I wouldn’t give 5 start to this hotel, looks a bit old. The food is very good and the staff is amazing. Unfortunately the “restaurant a la carte” is not included in the price!!! I repeat, is not included even it says it is included. The massage is a bit expensive, even if you already gave a lot of money , you need to pay 100€ for a massage. I won’t come back. Thank you