after reading the TA reviews... too late unfortunately.The outdated hotel and even more outdated bungalows must have been according to standards in the early eighties but as for rating nowdays :a small 3 stars for the hotel and a small 2 for the bungalows. What a pity, the location is simply breath-taking and the extensive sport facilities really good .This must be the reason why it remains a favourite among national sports teams for training camps. In my case it was the Russian team of athletics who had taken the place over, more pleasant to look at than the usual overweighted Germans anyway! As a result the food if simple is really healthy and breakfast even nice and complete with eggs, plenty of cereals, breads, fresh and dried fruits etc...about the only positive thing concerning the restaurant since the staff is cold and unconcerned. Having diner at 8.30 p.m ( supposed to be served until 9 p.m ) we used to be put in a remote corner surrounded with a ballet of waiters and waitresses busy setting the breakfast tables, making loud jokes with each others and paying absolutely no attention to the guests whatsoever. I suppose as usual with German clients, diner time is between 6.30 and 7 o'clock! So annoying...The pool area is quite nice and the tropical gardens around the hotel too. The reception staff is so good, especially Carolina, always available and eager to help in any way, even overpassing your demands at times, that you feel sorry such talents are being wasted in this "Sunset Boulevard" sort of a decadant place! The cleaners are doing a fantastic job but once again they cannot help the paint falling apart, the white turned grey with age and the rust all over the place... Be careful not to stay too long in the indoor pool ( ceramics falling apart too...) or you might end up with your skin burnt just like me, so much Chloride they put in it! I was granted one of the " best bungalows we have " and it is true it was spacious with a nice big balcony and terrace. Once again the problem is one of age while it must have been such a nice typical liitle Portuguese house 30 years ago. Big kitchen, well equiped bathroom and apart toilet cabinet but all is so rusty, so worn out, it does spoil your good feelings . Some bungalows are indeed a lot worse, at least from the outside : big spots of missing paint, dark tracks, rust and fungus all over! Makes you even wonder about simple safety. All together I agree with Janice S : needs a total revamp if not demolition. It won't be hard to find a much nicer location to stay around and for the same price, so follow my advice : give it a miss until renovations are completed. It then could be one of the loveliest spots on the coast.