This Hotel is excellent value for the money my wife and I have stayed there 3 times now. However this year we stopped in early October during an un-expecteted heatwave. This showed up as a problem that we had not experienced before. This Hotel is a long way from anywhere of interest and a long walk is involved to get to the Strip which is the main area of activity. So saying the rooms are massive and the balconies are palatial. The only local restaraunt is Martins which is good value but limited in choice.

On the plus side, the rooms are huge, the pool is great, the staff are friendly.
On the minus side, there was zero entertainment in the hotel and it is probably built in the wrong place....a short taxi ride to the "strip" or "old town" where all the bars, clubs and restaurants are. (between 4 and 5 euros each way)
There is the "3 marias" restaurant within walking distance (go left from the front of the hotel) which is highly recommended. three courses and half a bottle of wine for about £9.00
If your just looking for a really quiet holiday in a really good hotel then this will be ideal.

Hotel/Apartment rooms - The hotel it self looks lovely from the front. Lot's of parking space.
We had an early flight so arrived at the hotel at 9am - check in time was 2pm. The receptionist said we could leave out luggage in the luggage room and check in the bathroom. Around 1pm we checked with the receptionist who said our apartment was ready.
The apartment (room 315) is very spacious and clean. Double bed and 2 sofa beds in the living room. Shower and bathtub. Always had hot water and cleaners cleaned everyday. 1 english channel which was bbc 1. Everything was fab and clean. Wifi will cost you about 10Euro for the week and it's only for 1 person.
The hotel has their very own mini supermarket where you can buy food, drinks, washing powder, every day little essentials.

Gym/Spa- There is a gym and and an indoor pool. I had a 30min neck,back and shoulder massage for 15Euro - was ok and relaxing.

Swimming pool area was clean and nice. water a bit cold. 2 pools - 1 main big pool and 1 small children's pool. Plenty of sun beds and there is a pool cafe selling nice food from toasties to paella's. Staff was lovely and friendly.

Location - The area is quite quiet. There are 2 beaches near by. one across the road through another hotel - small but ok and can get crowded. The other is a 10-15min walk, which is bigger and nicer. Lovely sand. On the way to the beach there are lots of restaurants and bars. The beach has a small shop selling snacks such as ice cream and crisps.
We also went to old town which is too far to walk (approx 1hr) but really close by taxi about 5-7euros depending on traffic. About 10min drive. Old town is very lovely and busy - there is also another beach there and lots of markets, shops and restaurants to choose from.
You will prob find it hard to hail a taxi on road so it is best to do so by reception, which will cost you 0.75 euro.

Food - We didn't try the hotel restaurant and often ate out. Can't remember the restaurant names but all dishes/restaurants we tried was lovely. A must try is fish cataplana, so yummy! and of course their peri peri chicken.

Over all the hotel was nice and area alright. If you prefer everything on your door step then this hotel isn't for you. If you don't mind a 15min walk then you'll love this.

We spent 7 nights in the suite for parents and two kids. The hotel is very quiet, clean and visually aesthetic. Room's design is a little bit arty-farty, especially the bedroom, but lack of taste doesn't bother so much when you are having fresh seafood on a roomy balcony with ocean view. Well equipped kitchen and minimarket open till 20:30 even on Sunday make easy to prepare basic meals, and Albufeira's market is a good source of delicious ocean creatures that you don't even know their names.