It seemed like every time we found something that we loved about the place, something would happen that ruined it. It's not a horrible place, but with some minor adjustments it could be much better. I'll start with the bad: the bed was HARD. I woke up every morning feeling like I slept on the floor. I couldn't wait to get home to my own bed. The internet that we paid 20 Euros for was spotty at most. I take online classes, and the bad internet made me lose my work. I complained daily, and the solution I got over and over was "just try again later". There were ants in the room, which surprised me, because the cleaning staff was good. We booked this hotel because we travelled in November, and wanted an indoor pool. I couldn't even get into it because it was freezing. The jaccuzzi was luke-warm too. Big disappointment. All that aside, my biggest complaint is the renovations they were doing in the room below us at 8am!! When I'm on holiday, I like to wake up on my own schedule, not to jackhammers!

Honestly, the most impressed we were with the whole experience was the cleaning staff. They came to our room every day and mopped, washed our dirty dishes, made the beds and changed out our towels. The apartment itself was nice, with everything we needed. Although it was pretty far from the beach (definitely need a car), the view was nice. Plus, it was within walking distance to the strip. It wasn't the worst place I've ever stayed, but if I go back to Albufeira I will be staying elsewhere.

My wife and I and our 5 year old have been to this hotel twice now. Returning because we knew the apartments were spacious, clean with great facilities including dishwasher! The first time we went we had our then teenagers with us and the walk at night for a meal down the 'strip' was quite amusing, however, the further down you go the worse it gets in terms of single sex parties. This has got worse since our last stay. If you stay near the hotel then you're fine (ie. karaoke bar which was good fun!). Shame there is no good entertainment at the hotel, we endured a keyboard player which wasn't particularly exciting.

My boyfriend and I went for a week in October. I have stayed at the hotel about 9 times in total and it has always been brilliant. The studio we stayed in was very large with a separate kitchen and very clean. The apartments are cleaned and the towels replaced daily. The pool area never got busy as it was out of season and the giant chess/draughts/table football outside was hardly ever being used! The indoor pool was almost always empty and the Jacuzzi is really nice. Swim caps are required at a cost of about 2euros.
The location is great. You can walk to supermarkets, shops and restaurants easily. The hotel is at the less lively end of the strip and is a few minutes away so is very quiet. The beach is about 20mins walk away although the hill is quite steep on the way back up. There is a shuttle bus in season (until October time I think) which can take you to and from the beach if you let the reception know you want to go there.
This year I visited without a car and it was fine. There is a land train from the strip which will take you to Albufeira which was reasonably priced. You can book trips at the reception or there are several places to book down the strip. Zoomarine is great for any age-was really good value and was very empty in October. I would recommend going to see the sand sculptures which are in Pera over the summer and are amazing. We also went on a trip to Silves and Monchique for half a day which was really interesting and you get to see the less touristy side of the Algarve.
I hadn’t visited Vila Petra for the last few years but I was not disappointed as everything had been kept to a high standard and was not rundown at all. Would definitely go back again!

Myself and my partner booked a last minute xmas break at the Vila Petra and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were fortunate enough to get a one bedroomed apartment which had a large lounge/dining room, separate kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

The apartment was spacious and very clean, although the furnishings were perhaps a little basic. However, the kitchen was extremely well equipped with a four ring hob and oven, microwave, kettle, and pretty much all the utensils you might want if cooking for yourselves. We wanted to cook our own christmas dinner and the only thing it lacked was a roasting tin, which we easily found at the supermarket.

We also liked the location as it's on the outskirts of Albufeira down a road adjacent to "The Strip", therefore quiet (although it wasn't particularly frantic at that time of year, though I'd anticipate it being very busy in high season). Getting around is easy with local buses, taxis, and the train which rumbles around the the resort. We also found great deals on excursions because it was out of season - there are many travel agents down the Strip and elsewhere in resort. We also liked the big supermarket near to the Old Town, together with a town square and lots of little side streets with more traditional craft shops etc. to wander around.

The staff were welcoming and helpful, and the reception looked lovely and christmassy, not in the least bit tacky. I have to say that the weather was unexpectedly good for the time of year, I had no idea the climate is so temperate in the Algarve.