Stayed at this hotel with a friend for 4 nights in August 2011. It was our first time in Albufeira and we had a great time.

The hotel itself was much more modern then we expected, the room was large and spotless. The pool area was nice and it was always possible to get a lounger at anytime during the day although you would have to get up early if you wanted a particular spot.

There was a good choice of food at breakfast, we would go down quite late and there was always enough food left. Dinner was included in our package, we had this once and it was fairly basic but okay. Due to the lack of atmosphere we preferred to eat out on the other nights.

The beach was a 5min walk away, very picturesque coves and also very hot with little shade so take an umbrella or rent one.

We ate in the beach cafe for lunch on two occasions, a lovely place to get some shade and a cool refreshing drink, the food was tasty and reasonable too!

There is a taxi rank just up the road from the hotel. We got a taxi to the old town on 2 nights for 5 euro each way. The old town is a little quieter than the main strip and has something for everyone, lots of bars and restaurants and shops and market stalls. Heading back to the hotel at around midnight we found ourselves queueing for a taxi for about 20 mins, may be worth pre booking a taxi or going home earlier/staying out later as this seemed to be a popular time to head home during peak season.

We also enjoyed going out on the strip, at the quieter end there are a couple of good cocktail bars that are less busy and where you can get a seat. The bars nearer the bottom were much more crowded, you will get pestered to enjoy a free shot, but having a few of these we found the offer much less enticing.

Overall a great holiday and a hotel we would return to in the future

We stayed on a b&b basis for 4 days arriving 23rd December. The hotel is beautiful, we got the booked sea view and the room was really nice. With the exception of one person (Ludo who was so helpful), the service was not to the standard I would expect from a hotel of this rating. We were given the distinct impression that over Christmas the hotel was operating around the requirements of the staff rather than the guests. There was no bar available other than in the restaurant which shut by 9.30pm most evenings with anyone wanting to buy a drink having to plead with them to open up. For those dining in the restaurant in the evening there was a buffet which was never what was advertised! We ate out but, having enquired if it was possible to eat a la carte, in advance booked a table for 8pm Christmas Day. One waiter brought us the menus (which were also displayed outside with the buffet menu) and two minutes later another waiter came and more or less ripped them out of our hands as we were looking at them and told us only the buffet was available. Eventually, we got our a la carte meal which was absolutely gorgeous. I think the restaurant was open as late as 9.45pm that night. There was zero entertainment other than the electric grand piano playing music. To be honest we hadn't gone for entertainment but we had expected to be able to come back after eating out and get a drink without having to stand knocking at the door.

When it came to getting our departure details, they had been left with one receptionist who failed to pass them on when his shift changed, although thankfully I was able to get hold of our rep.

I would not expect this level of service from a hotel with this rating, irrespective of the number of guests or it being Christmas. I really do think that this was only because it was Christmas and, presumably not that busy, although at 9.30am Christmas morning the restaurant was very busy with customers queuing for tables and very little food left. Other than that day breakfast was always lovely with an excellent choice of food.

No, I wouldn't risk staying at this hotel again just in case I got the same level of service again.

We stayed at this hotel for 1 week over new year & I have to say this is 1 of the best hotels I have stayed in, the hotel itself is quite small but very modern, all of the staff are really friendly & very helpful especially the reception staff, the room was adequate for a standard room & the bed was really comfy & very big! no tea & coffee in the standard rooms but we had read previous reviews & brought our own kettle ect, would be a nice touch if this was available in all rooms tho, rooms were cleaned daily & couldn't fault the cleanliness of the overall hotel.
Safe & mini bar in rooms.

weather was as we expected warm in the day,sunny & no rain! & cool at night, the hotel itself is in a great location, although at this time of year a lot of the bars are quiet, got busier for new years eve tho, we stayed in the hotel for new years eve & had the gala meal for 65 euros per person, the food was gorgeous!

Menu

Welcome drink
Canapes
Cold Buffet
Fish - Jewfish confit with scallops & stuffed cannelloni
Meat - Surf and turf filet mignon & king prawns & sweet potato crisps (wine with meal)
Creme brulee with red fruit & coconut ice cream

Champagne & raisins on the roof to watch fireworks!

Portugese cabbage soup & assorted tapas

Brunch next day

I would highly recommend this hotel & would return to this hotel may even indulge in a suite next time! Thanks to all the staff for a wonderful stay.

Spending New Year in Portugal has become an annual must, and 2011/12 was no exception; although this was our first trip to Albufeira. We arrived at the hotel, no later than 11.00 a.m. on the 26th December, and were pleased to find that our room was available immediately, and that our requests on booking had been followed to the letter. (Although just to be on the safe side I sent an e-mail to remind the hotel that a double room had been requested). The growing tendency to provided twin-bedded accommodation as standard is something hard to fathom in hotels that are clearly popular with couples of all ages. Check-in was efficiently and courteously handled, and, within ten minutes, we were pleased to see that our deluxe room with sea view was all we had hoped for.

The balcony was small, but had enough room for a table and two chairs, and more importantly was bathed in sunshine from 10.00 to 16.00......luckily for us, every day of our stay. The double bed was king size, and comfortable, and we enjoyed trouble-free sleep throughout our stay; (although the couple in the next room liked to rise early and practice their town crier routines to each other from about 07.00 each day). It takes all sorts I suppose, but it did not spoil our experience. Perhaps they had single beds at opposite ends of the room??

The bathroom was pretty perfect, with powerful, hot shower...and thankfully, a bath. The only downside to the bathing/showering experience were the towels and dressing gowns; fine for wee Jimmy Krankie, (my wife), but a bit snug for me, (Giant Haystacks). And, for a four**** hotel, the towels were desperately in need of renewal. At home, we would chuck them away, long before they got to that state.

The lounge area of the hotel is stunning, but not at all comfortable; so it was lucky that the weather was so good, we did not need to spend time in the bar/lounge area, as we probably would have, had we had a couple of rainy days. The breakfast room was light, and pleasant, and the selection of fruit and cooked food was plentiful, and of a high quality. Mind you, the bread company, that seems to supply toasting bread to every hotel from Turkey to Portugal,
must be having a laugh. It is universally awful, and one wonders if the buyers have ever tasted this imitation cardboard.

So all in all, there was very little to worry us; and our stay was very enjoyable. Even the guy singing 'We Are The Champions' in pidgin English at 01.30, during the New Year's Day bash, was quickly forgiven. We decided to abandon the hotel festivities, and enjoyed the experience of the concert and fireworks, held down by the beach, which go on through the night. As an old grouch, a 01.00 finish was enough for me, but it was an unforgettable night.

Albufeira itself is a pleasant place to stay for New Year, certainly helped by the beautiful weather we enjoyed each day. There are many good restaurants and bars, especially in the area of the beach and the Old Town. Think I would avoid sturgeon pate next time though! Trust me. We shall return, and will return to the Aqua Pedra dos Bicos Hotel; so long as double rooms and hot baths are available!