NAU Sao Rafael Suites – All Inclusive

Amazing boat trip.

Had a wonderful stay! Reception staff were amazing and so helpful throughout. The food was really nice. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone as it’s my second year back!! 😊

Such a great holydays with hotel all the recption and another staff members is very helpful food qualty is very food moreover hotel is close to beach its very good and animation is very enjoyable at night .

We stayed at this hotel early in July for 10 nights. There was three of us, myself, husband and teenage daughter. We had a one bedroom suite which consisted of a large double bedroom (bed very comfortable) with a large en-suite bathroom, a separate small shower room, lounge area with sofa and pull out bed, dining table and chairs and a fridge. There was two double wardrobes in the bedroom and a double wardrobe just of the lounge area. The room was cleaned daily, floors washed, towels changed and should you require the bed to be changed there was a card to leave on the bed. The air conditioning in both areas was very good. As previous reviews have stated, there is not a kettle in the room so we took our own travel kettle. The restaurant was lovely and the staff in there were all very polite, efficient and hardworking. I cannot remember any of their names, but they all should be commended for their hard work. Richard the restaurant manager is very friendly and works hard to ensure everyone is happy and looked after. One thing to note is that the hotel clearly listens to feedback and makes improvements based on that. Before visiting we saw numerous reviews stating things like there was no show cooking... they have a small show cooking area at both breakfast and dinner. Others stating there wasn't ice cream in the restaurant. There is now an ice cream available at lunch and dinner in the restaurant. Ice cream is also available at the pool bar. There is a good variety of food which caters for everyone. The pool bar also had a BBQ on Thursday lunchtime. The entertainment team worked hard and included all nationalities, but without pressure. Evening entertainment was quite low key and generally was a live singer at dinner time. All of the hotel staff worked hard and were polite and helpful . Yes, the hotel is in a very quiet area, but we were aware of this as it is clearly stated on all websites. The beach is a 10 minute walk away, marina 15/20 minutes. Ubers into Albufiera and the old town are reasonable and very efficient. All in all, a very enjoyable holiday.

We booked this hotel expecting a 5-star experience—both in service and amenities—as advertised and priced. Honestly, while the size of the room was good, it was dated and lacked the quality you'd expect at this level. When your room costs close to £3,000 for two adults and a child on an all-inclusive basis, you expect a bit more. Unfortunately, the reality fell short and felt more like a 3-star property. Upon arrival, the cleanliness of the room was immediately a concern. The shower was visibly dirty, and the floors weren’t clean either. On one of the days, we returned from an excursion to a fully made-up room, only to find that the bedding had not been changed—it was clearly still dirty. We had to call housekeeping to have it replaced. A few days later, we ended up stripping the bed ourselves to ensure that fresh sheets were used. This suggests the housekeeping staff are either undertrained or not held to the standards expected of a 5-star resort. We also had no hot water initially. After contacting the front desk, the issue was eventually resolved, but it took several hours—not ideal when you’re expecting comfort and convenience. The dining options were quite limited. While the food at the buffet was well-seasoned and enjoyable, the selection was minimal, and there was only one restaurant on the property. For a resort of this price and supposed caliber, we expected more variety in both cuisine and dining experiences. That said, the dinner service staff were exceptional. Plates were cleared promptly, and the entire team was warm, friendly, and very helpful throughout our stay. Their professionalism was a bright spot in our experience. There is a kids' club, the usual poolside activities, singers during dinner on most nights, and on a few evenings, some entertainment in the lobby bar. However, the entertainment setup is far from efficient—the space is simply too small to accommodate the number of guests comfortably. One other consideration: the beach is not located on the property. It’s a 10 to 15-minute walk, depending on which part you go to. While this may not be an issue for everyone, it’s worth noting if you’re expecting direct beach access or are traveling with someone who has mobility concerns. Overall, while there were a few positives—particularly the dinner staff and the flavorful food—the experience didn’t live up to its 5-star label or price point. There’s potential here, but several areas need serious improvement before this resort can truly be considered luxury.

Firstly, this hotel is not 5-star, but rather 3-star at best, which is reflected in many reviews. We are a family of five with one 16-year-old and two 13-year-olds. Since the kids are over twelve, they are charged full price. We paid €8234 for 11 nights for a 2-bedroom suite with a sea view in July. We expected significantly more for the price we paid, which is why I am providing this detailed review. We booked a 2-bedroom suite with a pool view and a sofa bed. The room was a good size with a very large balcony. However, the balcony seating was hard tile-based and not suitable for sitting on, so we had to pull the soft chairs out to the balcony, which was not ideal. The pull-out bed for the 16-year-old was more suitable for younger kids, so he struggled to sleep comfortably. The suite had a double bedroom with a shared bathroom in the hallway and a 2-bed room with its own ensuite, which is the opposite of most hotels where the larger double room has its own bathroom. There were no tea/coffee making facilities or an iron. There was a fridge, and it looked like there might have been a kitchen area, but it had been poorly boarded off. The bathrooms were basic for a hotel, with a bidet and a shower in the bath with a small shower head and a very stiff lever that was hard to move up or down. The toilet seats were broken in both rooms, which was a trend in the hotel, including the public toilets. The shower pressure was good, though. There were TVs in each room, but the channels were limited in English. The bedrooms were tight, and you could not fully open the wardrobe doors, which gives you an idea of the size. The beds were comfortable, though. The cleaning service had to be requested, and sometimes they came, and sometimes they did not. The pools were a decent size, with one activity pool and one more chill-out pool. There was also plenty of beds and space. The pool bar, open from 11 to 7:30, offered plenty of snacks for daytime hunger. The restaurant was a decent size with a wide selection of food, although the quality in terms of choice was limited. There was an abundance of fish and a limited amount of red meat, which was anticipated. The desserts were wonderful if that is your thing. Breakfast covered all the bases, but one big callout is that you could only get coffee in the restaurant at breakfast. The machines were turned off for lunch and dinner, which was very strange. The staff in the restaurants looked overworked, and thus the service was hit and miss. Many times, you had to pick up cutlery and glasses yourself, and I saw many customers walking to the service stations to fill their own wine as they were waiting too long. They have a paid restaurant that you can book, but I rarely saw anyone using it. They also have a spa and indoor golf practice area, but again, these were rarely used due to the cost, and I wonder if they should use their space more wisely. Finally, the bar area is very poor. Most evenings after dinner, you go to the bar to relax, but the entertainment was very limited with bingo, karaoke, and a quiz. These lasted about 45 minutes at best, and while the staff tried, it was poor. The bar closes at 11, and the staff are stretched, and a few nights only one bar person on duty. Anything decent you have to pay extra for, and cocktails were very limited with a very small selection on the all-inclusive list. We have done a few all-inclusive stays, and this is by far the worst we have encountered, so if the bar and quality cocktails are your thing, look elsewhere. Closing at 11 pm is very poor as well, and I have not encountered that before. Most people were getting their drinks and taking them to their rooms! All in all, it is a pleasant location which you expect for the cost, but you can get a lot more for your money elsewhere.

The food was excellent, evening music lovely. Pools good. Staff friendly. Sadly the room was a let down, whilst very large, with two bathrooms and balconies and comfy beds, there were numerous maintenance issues which needed dealing with. The rooms were clearly once self-catering with a kitchenette, and it's a shame that area was blocked off apart from the fridge. Also the balcony furniture was so uncomfortable, the balcony and the views couldn't be enjoyed.

Terrible. Outdated. Not enough pool lounge chairs. Bad food selection. Mold in the bathroom and shower. Outdated amenities… the list goes on.

Excellent family holiday. Quiet and relaxing. Some entertainment during day for children, very enthusiastic and helpful animation manager.Children loved the pizza making held during the day - helped by the excellent chefs- thanks. Pools immaculate. Food delicious. Great advice for our child with a nut allergy, helpfully accommodated by Richard in restaurant and all the chefs. Rooms cleanliness fantastic. One small issue, sports pitch needs fixed up as unplayable which was disappointing. Beach 15 min walk away. Really relaxing time at a beautiful hotel.

I booked this hotel specifically because it’s advertised as dog-friendly, and I was traveling with my dog. They clearly promote their pet policy on the website as if it’s a core part of their values. However, the reality turned out to be very different. Pet Policy – Misleading and Poorly Managed • First, although I was paying extra for bringing my dog, I had to remind the staff to provide any pet-related amenities. Nothing was prepared in advance – no bowls, no bed, nothing. • Second, I was initially allowed to dine with my dog on the terrace during lunch. But during dinner, they suddenly changed the rules without explanation, and I was told I could no longer stay with my dog in the same area. • When I asked the staff why this changed, I was met with rude and completely unprofessional behavior. No one could give me a clear reason – just confusion and attitude. So much for their “hospitality.” It’s clear their pet-friendliness is more of a marketing gimmick than a real commitment. Other Issues • Food was mediocre at best – nothing memorable. • Rooms were not very clean, and felt like they hadn’t been properly maintained. • Basic requests like an extra towel were denied, which is honestly ridiculous. Bottom Line If you’re considering this hotel, especially as a pet owner, look elsewhere. There are plenty of better-managed places nearby where your expectations are more likely to be met.