The romantic city of Albufeira is full of attractions, such as Albufeira Old Town Square and Falesia Beach, and is loved for its beaches and restaurants.
Lagoa is known for its beaches and spas, and entices visitors with its popular attractions, including Slide and Splash Water Park and Gramacho Pestana Golf.
If you're planning a bit of sightseeing, head to Albufeira Old Town Square – just one of the monuments in Albufeira Old Town. Hotels.com travellers also say the area is relaxing and that it has lots of nice beaches.
Whether you want to collect beach glass or watch the sunset, Falesia Beach is one of the most popular seaside spots located 6.4 mi (10.4 km) from central Albufeira. If you want to continue walking by the waves, head to Marina Beach, Vilamoura Beach and Rocha Baixinha Beach, located nearby.
If being by the water is a major draw, Praia da Luz is one of the most popular seaside spots located 3.1 mi (5.1 km) from central Lagos. Our travellers also like this walkable area for its beaches. Catch the sunset by the shore at Luz Beach, just a short walk away.
You can stroll along Vilamoura Marina for relaxing water views when you're in Vilamoura. Hotels.com travellers also say the area is relaxing and that it has lots of nice beaches. If you carry on walking you'll get to Falesia Beach, Marina Beach, and Vilamoura Beach for some more water views.
If being by the water is a major draw, Sao Rafael Beach is a spot you might want to check out, located 2.2 mi (3.6 km) from central Albufeira e Olhos de Água. Enjoy the sunset by the shore at Arrifes Beach, Praia da Ponta Pequena, and Praia das Andorinhas, all 3 within a short walk.
You can stroll along Marina de Lagos for relaxing water views when you're in Marina de Lagos. Hotels.com travellers also say the area is full of friendly people and that it has lots of nice beaches. If you carry on walking you'll get to Meia Beach, Batata Beach, and Student Beach for some more water views.
Imagine strolling along Albufeira Marina for some great waterfront pics. It's located 1.3 mi (2 km) from central Albufeira e Olhos de Água.
Hotels.com travellers also say the area is full of friendly people and that it has lots of nice beaches. If you carry on walking you'll get to Peneco Beach, Arrifes Beach, and Praia dos Pescadores for some more water views.
Check out reviews of Faro District hotels guests love
Belmar Spa & Beach Resort
8/10 Good
"Hotel itself is very nice. Spa is pretty but did have a few jets in the pool not working. We stayed in the Villas which are nice but not nearly as nice as the hotel. If you like fresh towels every day, villas are not for you. Very strangely they only provide new towels every couple of days and are very strict in giving you more. Same thing with coffee creamer only one creamer per day per person. The hotel gets maid service every day with fresh towels but not the villas. I found this annoying as they were not particularly nice about it and it’s unnecessarily cheap. On the positive side, the property is in a great location. I would stay here again and would not have found the towel and creamer so irritating had I have known at the booking. "
"Lovely hotel, couldn't fault it. Small little things like pool water was baltic. Also, some days the queue for breakfast was a little long but moved quickly."
"This is a modern hotel with an interesting selection of artefacts and antiques scattered around the spacious cool marble spaces. Its very clean and well maintained. Breakfast from 8am to 11am is perfect timing for me as I like to take things slowly in the morning. Lots of choice at breakfast, all the standards - fruit, cereals , eggs cooked to order. Pool area was usually quite quiet when we stayed in mid-May.
The pool bar ( which is the only bar in the hotel ) served drinks and snacks from 12pm and dinner from a small menu from 6.30pm to 9pm. The bar closes quite early though - I think at 9.30pm. This was a little disappointing as there are no other bars nearby. The Eureka supermarket came in useful to stock our mini-bar ready for a late night drink on the balcony.
We did not have a car on this trip and walked almost everywhere.
The hotel is a 10 min downhill walk including steep steps, from the beautiful Porto de Mos beach where there are a couple of cafes and bars too but we did not wish to attempt the walk back uphill after dark. Walking to the old town is about a 4k distance with some inclines. Uber came in handy when the hilly streets seem like too much work. It's about 4 euro for an Uber from the hotel to the Dom Sebastião statue in the center.
Overall we really enjoyed our stay in this hotel."
"Very good hotel but we were not able to use amenities right away once we checked in and needed reservations which is not good after paying about $540 per night"
"we were very disappointed in our room. Our "resort view" was a patch of dirt. When I asked of a different room I was told there were none available, despite have booked months in advance. The room itself, while nice and comfortable, had multiple maintenance issues - a lamp where the electric cord literally fell out, the bathroom sink was missing a diffuser causing water to splash all over us when turned on, a shower that would drip after turning it off, and a hair dryer that would not stay on.
Beyond the room, which most of the staff were delightful, we were frustrated when we went down to the beach late on a beautiful afternoon only to have the cushions on our chairs literally taken at 6:00. The next day when we went back we found we needed to pay 50 Euros for the chairs we sat in, something not mentioned in the literature or when we checked in.
We had stayed previously at the Epic Sana Lisboa hotel in Lisbon, and were delighted at every turn by how attentive and caring the staff were, and how well maintained the property was. So we had high expectations about the "5-Star" Epic Sana Algarve. Not to be. I think they rely on location and setting than actually providing 5-star service. That's too bad, because it is a beautiful place."
"Its tricky to be to harsh on this hotel.
The staff were very helpful and accommodating.
This is a 5 star hotel, which is a little generous.
THE BAD
The rooms are very dated
AC was switched off to all rooms. Maybe cost saving, however the hotel was busy, and no real reason for it being off when asked..
The safe did not work
The door to the balcony was damaged
The pool did not feel heated, and looked tired
The lifts would bounce and go to the wrong floors. The doors shut far to quickly
Corridors dimly lit and lifeless
Average room amenities, broken light switches dimly lit.
Queuing for a coffee at breakfast
THE GOOD
The Staff
Free local parking
Good location
Very clean
The rooms are large and the beds comfortable.
Lots of choice for breakfast and plenty of space (May)
Overall this hotel is in need of some TLC, and i would not rate it 5 star. 3/4 at a push.
It has enough charm and character, and i chose it on price an location.
Not a bad experience for my wife and I.
Would i stay there again......
Yes, due to the staff, and location and with adjusted expectations."