We booked these apartments 2 weeks before we travelled. My friend and I managed to book a 2 bedroomed apartment at Duas Palmeras through Thomas Cook. After we booked we saw the reviews on here and were a bit worried after reading the negative one.

When we arrived the reception was a bit strange as it is just a small desk in a little room but the staff were very friendly. We were then shown round the corner and down the street. Looking a little worried we were reassured by the gentleman that we were in the new block - Eurolar.

I had asked for an apartment with a pool view and not on the ground floor when I booked and both requests were taken into account. We were on the 3rd floor over-looking the swimming pool. We had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen (complete with fridge freezer, oven and washing machine), dining room, living room and balcony. The swimming pool was fab as it was never too busy, you could always get a swim and the swimming pool wasn't surrounded by chavs like normal. The only thing it was missing was a bar to get drinks while you are outside.

If you are going to have a nice civilized holiday then don't go to 'the strip' it is like blackpool with luminous lights and chavs everywhere. If you do go to the strip make sure you go to the top end as it is nicer than further down the street.

If you are wanting to see the nicer side of Albufeira then go to the old town. You can get the train from the strip for a few euros return. It is nearer to the strip from the apartments than to the old town. We walked to the old town most nights (20 min walk) and returned by train.

If you want help with anything don't even bother trying the rep unless you are a bloke. If you want to hire a car go to Eirasol Apartments and they will help.

Just so you know it is really hot in the day and nice and breezy at night so bring a cardie for night. It is really refreshing though.

Would def stay in the apartments again. Won't be rushing back to the strip though. haha.

We arrived at the Duas Palmeras reception and was shown to the block behind called Edificio Varandim. This is in a residential street and not what you would normally expect from holiday accomodation. The block was on four floors and our family had one on level three and one on level four.

The entrance is pretty dismal, no lifts, so you have to carry cases up all those flights if stairs. The guard rail which stops you falling down the stairwell didn't fit the stairs properly, so there was a hole on each turn of the stairs where a small child could fall through. Considering that we had two four year olds with us this was not ideal.

Inside the apartments they were old and run down. The appliances were rusty and the kitchen in need of a refit. In fact the whole apartment needed gutting and starting again. Too many things to list here. No battery in the smoke alarm!.. amazing.

To get to the pool you have to walk through the unlit basement car park which is quite scarey. Not something I would like my wife and kids doing in their swimwear.

We immediately demanded to be moved, but were still there 22 hours later. The rep couldn't find anywhere for us to go so we moved out and into other accomodation at our own expense for the remaining 13 nights of our holiday.

The problem with these apartments is that there are five blocks. All the positive reports appear to be from people who stayed in the Eurolar block which I believe is quite new. Our block was dangerous, poorly maintained, dirty, smelly and run down. The worse place I have seen in 24 years of travelling abroad.

We booked early and paid £3,150 through a travel agent for two apartments in May 2007, and that didn't guarentee that we were put in the Eurolar block.

I would not recommed stayig here, unless you can get a guarentee that you are not in Edificio Varandim.... but I don't know what the other blocks were like inside. Heres a few photo's. I have load of others.

Mostly private apartments, it was always very quiet with just a few people around the pool so loads of empty sunbeds ;-), at times we were the only one's there.
We were told that the sister complex shared their facilities (pool table etc), thats great if you don't mind a ten minute treck to get there.
There's no bar, so to get a drink you'll need to go to the cafe/bar across the road, it's fun trying to order when no'one speaks each others language.
We actually loved this complex, but our 9,16 &17 year olds want something livelier next year.
For a great night out, close by is Johnny Hoopers Saxophone bar, its fun for all ages, you'll be dancing the night away.

We stayed here for a week at the end of June 2006. We stayed in the 'new block'. The apartment was on the 1st floor overlooking the fantastic pool. The kitchen was huge with a washing machine which meant we did all our holiday washing before leaving!. There were plenty of sun loungers available by the pool my only complaint was that they didn't have mats!.

Within walking distance of the strip and other shops & restaurants but away from the noise. Apartments are next to a restaurant called the Koala Garden which does a fantastic set menu for 10.50 Euros including your choice of drink.

I would recommend these apartments to anyone.