We stayed in a two bedroom apartment during the summer. Location was good during the day as we were near the pool and beside the beach. Buffet breakfast was generally good.

At night the local bars around the marina and boardwalk come to life so don't count on getting a good sleep, as from 1am to 5am, especially at the weekends, locals returning home from their night out scream and shout without any regard for the hotel residents (our room backed onto the road and overlooked the marina).

A few days into our stay we received a note under our door to say part of the main pool would be sectioned off for a number of days to facilitate a fashion show. We, like most of the other residents, had not been informed this when booking. We complained to the hotel duty manager who said that this was for the benefit of the hotel residents. Transportation to a small pool elsewhere in the complex was provided - the pool was small and far away from the main hotel. It turned out that the main pool, the centre of life in the hotel, was sectioned off fully for about five days. When I met with the General Manager he questioned my motives for complaining and had the audacity to question whether this was about money! We booked a four star hotel for a family holiday by the pool not a construction site- he obviously doesn't understand that a customer expects to get the facilities that they pay for and that are advertised. The staff from the top down have total disregard for customer care once they have you there.

I rode down from the UK with 3 friends to watch WSB at Portimao on reading some of the comments I can only say these people must have stayed at a different complex to us. Firstly the room this was a adequate size for four adults it was clean and tidy and provided basic self catering facilities if needed. My only gripe about the room was the fact that one of the beds which was a pull out bed from beneath the sofa was a little small and to say very basic. The food at the hotel for me was a mix of local quisine and lots of variation infact I never got bored of eating there. Also I would just like to mention that the Xerox Ducati team and the Sterigalda Yamaha team stayed at this hotel so in there eyes this can not be a bad place. I will definatly be returning to this hotel and definatly be mixing with WSB stars again. Paul Lewis (Lydney Glos UK).

From the moment we arrived at the hotel the customer service was awful. The attitude was very laid back and really not bothered with any problems we had.
It is not a cheap hotel and the standards are nowhere near what they should be. Rooms are very average, food the same. Do not eat at the pool bar what ever you do.

On first look it does look a very clean and nice hotel. But when you really look about and sample the service you can see the problems.

The biggest issue we had was, 9 days into our 2 week holiday we had a letter put under our door informing us there would be a section of the main pool closed off from tomorrow onwards due to a television fashion show. We did not think much of it at the time because the pool area is rather large. We awoke to find a stage erected across half the pool area. All the walk ways were overflowing with thick cables,big speakers and boxes. All the sun beds were pushed around the baby pool. I tried to speak to the manager because I was disgusted that they thought it was acceptable. He just told me to use the other pool. A 15 minute walk away, with 2 young children in tow. It only got worse when they erected a stand of approx 200 seats. It was all still there when we went home 5 days later. See photographs attached.

All I am trying to do is give an idea of what to expect if you go to this hotel. Not obviously a repeat of the show but the treatment you will recieve if you encounter any problems. It is best avoided just in case.

This hotel is in a great location between Portimao and Praia da Rocha. A free underground carpark for your car. 5 mins to nearest bars and restaurants and maybe another 15 if you wanted to go to PdR which looked a bit busier when we visited during the day although we never went at night as we were half board at the hotel.
The bedroom was spacious but the receptionist talked us into a marina view rather than a pool view which meant that we didn't get the sun at anytime of the day. A balcony just isn't the same without some sun. The apartments with the best views overlook the large marina and with all day sun were said to be kept for families- which is a shame for us couples. The bathroom was fine, there was a fridge, microwave, kettle and a hob-y thing which might be useful. We certainly used the fridge and kettle. The bed was two singles pushed together and it was a bit hard - we didn't really get a comfortable nights sleep - so compared to TheTivoli in Vilamoura I would say the room quality is nowhere near as comfortable or luxurious. The maids also don't come to clean your room until after 4 pm which we found ridiculously late. we often had to sit round the pool with a book until they had finished. Not a great hardship but a tad annoying.

The restaurant was in a fabulous position overlooking the mouth of the river and not only could you see the fishing boats coming and going - you could also see over to the lovely town of Ferragudo at the other side with its church, beach and castle/hotel. You could see the views from either inside the restaurant or on the veranda so although the food wasn't really up to much - we didn't really care.

The deal I got through hotels4u.com on tripadvisor was unbelievable cheap (£77 per day for both of us to have half board) but if I were to revisit I would rather pay more for more luxurious accommodation and better food - but you can't have everything!!!