We stayed there over X-mas and New year week : The hotel is well planned to provide maximum visual pleasure. Most of the rooms overlook the scenic landsacpe, well-tended gardens,lawns, palm trees,pools, a stylish fountain and the sea at Sesmarias. Indoor facilities like heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna etc. are available. ___ We were impressed by the staff and the service. We enjoyed the food very much as it was prepared with fresh ingredients and was full of flavour; the variety was beyond our expectations. New Year Eve's treat was historic. __ However the hotel is not situated right on the beach. A courtesy bus operates at scheduled times, though.

We stayed here from the 11th Dec -18th Dec 2011 .We had a very relaxing pre Christmas holiday.The hotel was very quiet ,which would not suit everyone,but if its peace and tranquility your looking for this is it.We enjoyed the food, good breakfast buffet style ,evening meal was buffet starter and desert but the main courses were cooked to order instead of the usual buffet which was very nice.The hotel is 3 K from Albufeira but this wasnt a problem as we booked on the mini bus which ran four times a day.Our room was spacious overlooking the pool and with sight of the sea and very clean.The hotel staff were all very helpful and friendly .We managed to book trips at reasonable prices via the hotel reception that covered all the coastline of the Algarve and into the Monchique mountains.we enjoyed these very much.We found the little shop and cafe just a short stroll from the hotel,lunch and a beer was very pleasant.We enjoyed being away from the crowds of Christmas shopping and would love to return to our peaceful haven same time this year .Thank you all so much.

The four of us have just returned fron a weeks stay at this hotel for the New Year and it was excellent, the work put in by the hotel staff to provide us with a lovely room , good food and free drinks and entertainment was wonderful.

We were re-directed to this resort hotel because the booking company messed up our booking, (another story) All though seperated from the other 50 guests at my daughters wedding, and quite out of touch with them all, this hotel proved to be fabulous, It is a luxurious hotel. The pool is fantastic, the pooolside snack bar perfect for lunch and drinks all day. Because its out of town we stayed by the poolside most of the week. Taxis up and down to the old town worked out expensive and as we were receiving bed and breakfast only it still worked out cheaper to eat our evening meal away from the hotel. The tour company ruined my daughters wedding for me and my Mum and sister, the brides only family, we were left out of all the fun that the other 50 huests enjoyed all week. However this hotel is beautiful, they have a mini coach that leaves a couple of times a day to go to the old town or to a marina, you cant always get on it though, it fills fast and the driver doesnt put himself out and come back for the people left behind.! We went into town by coach late afternoon and returned later by taxi. At least we only paid one way.There is nothing around the hotel but brushland and a few houses and further afield other hotels,. Its 5 star easily. Palatial.Spotless. Beautiful rooms, beds and bathrooms. Balconies overlooking the pool are best as the sea can also be seen in the distance.But I think all rooms face the pool. The front of the hotel as you drive up looks like a single story, it must be built into a hill. If you can afford to splash out and have half board you will not be dissapomyed. Oh and the staff are wonderful.