I do quite a bit of homework before choosing a holiday and did the same again this year. I finally decided to go back to Portugal, close to Albufeira, this hotel seemed a good place to go. I went with EasyJet, early June, good price but the most I've paid for, ever! Let's keep it simple.
Hotel: good location, 10 minutes from strip, nearest beach 12 minute walk slightly hilly.
Enough bars and restaurants to keep you happy, food and drinks cheap.
Hotel is clean, staff very good, can be noisy at night when youngsters return from strip, pool area good, bar service good, bar food is good and caters for the discerning British palate of chips and burgers. The main restaurant is good and serves a very good breakfast
Let’s get down to it without the fluff, people get bored pretty quick!
Location: Very good, 12 mins from strip, 10/12 mins from beach downhill there, little hilly on way back. Enough eating and drinking places within 15 mins range, entertainment is usually on in the bars, especially karaoke, don’t panic no one is forced! Chemists, doctors, hospitals all minutes away. Lots of souvenir shops nearby, small supermarket and excursion shops too.
Hotel: good access, stairs and ramp, lifts to all floors, clean and bright throughout, all the staff are helpful and speak English, I have seen reviews mentioning parts of the hotel is tired, yes maybe bits a pieces need an update but nothing to spoil your holiday. Rooms are clean and airy, good air-con, towels changed regularly, very good pool with huge parasols.
Food: breakfast is all you can eat buffet style and was very good, kitchen staff were great, especially the waitresses. Lots of fruit, cooked breakfast, bread, water, coffee machines, cakes, you name it, it was available. Now for dinner, which I booked for the whole two week stay. If there is not enough occupancy, the dinner is a la carte and a bit limited. There was a buffet several times and it was good but not what I am used to.
Now, on the Easyjet and Jet2 websites it says the restaurant is buffet style. So it is buffet style for the unlimited starters and deserts, there is nothing wrong with the food and the kitchen tried to accommodate us on many occasions but two weeks is too long for me on this type of menu.
I would recommend the breakfast and this can be bought daily at the hotel and also the dinner, but there are lots of options nearby and it’s not expensive. In hindsight I would have only booked breakfast.
Pros: good location, nice staff, clean, laid back, helpful, friendly.
Cons: lots of young people use the hotel and can be noisy at night on their return, the hotel in fully tiled throughout and shoes can be noisy! This may depend on where you are located in the hotel!
Only entertainment is on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Tips: use the UBER app if you have it for taxis, cheap and reliable. The little road train is cheap but is too far from the nearest stop, near the old Bullring, or bottom of the Strip.
Go into the old town, worth a visit. I never used the bus service which is cheap.
Visit the Praia Santa Eulália, beds and parasols available, two restaurants, left side is expensive, 28Euro for two beds and a parasol for the day, or 14Euro for half day. On the right side of beach,20Euro for parasol and two beds for all day.
Did I have a good holiday? Yes. Would I go back? Maybe!
For the guys and possibly girls, local beer. €3.5 a pint….€ 2 during happy hour. €3 for glass of wine Three course meal in some restaurants € 15 includes a drink as one of the courses.