Don’t stay here, we were placed in this complex by mistake so only spent 1 night and a morning here, the hotel (the Alfa mar) was actually very nice, with what looked like a nice pool area and was set in very nice grounds, we were told the hotel had its own beach which is where everyone appeared to be heading.

Algarve Gardens was part of the Alfa mar Hotel Resort and consisted of a hotel and villas/apartments plus two or three tower blocks. We were placed in one of the tower blocks right at the end of the complex and were told we could use all the facilities the hotel resort had to offer so that was good, but my god the room we were given was basic. It was on the 3rd floor (with no lift) and the room was decorated in the 70’s and hasn’t been updated since. The beds were about ankle height off the floor and the pillows were tissue paper thin, whilst the TV was the size of a mobile phone screen (it was that small the 1970’s telephone on top of the TV almost dwarfed it). The bathroom and kitchen were dated just like the rest of the apartment, there were 2 hobs, a fridge and a cupboard – that was about it. Don’t get me wrong, the place was clean but just not very nice to look at/live in and it didn’t have any air con which made for an uncomfortable nights sleep. There was a supermarket over the road so you could have got all your supplies but thankfully we were outta there the following morning.

As stated earlier the hotel complex looked nice so did the villas. Everything was clean even in our tower block but our room infact the whole of the tower block we were in was just dated. Plus the resort is 15k from Albufeira!!!!

Stayed here Sep 2010 in one of the out buildings self catering away from main hotel they where very basic but clean and quite comfortable. The kitchen was not fit to really do any cooking in we were lucky we did have a kettle others we spoke to were told they had to buy there own, The toaster was something out of the arc never seen anything like it, The small kitchen was very tired and battered very shabby and run down, We had a two bedroom bungalow one bedroom upstairs and one down, The place had seen better days but wasn't bad for what it cost us. We could use the main hotel which was better nice pool, lovely beach, we never used the restaurant it seemed very formal i was not sure if we could use it think you may have to be guest of hotel or all inclusive?. You could get snacks at bar which was OK, but hotel just seemed to be for the German market entertainment we seen was just for Germans and not very good, all trips out brochures where in German none at all in English even some staff at reception spoke very little English. Nothing much in the area outside of complex three bars, restaurants, shops all not very good found other bars, and such about 30 Min's walk away it was better there but not great. We had to get cab into Albufeira which is not that close at a cost of 12 euros one way and cabs were not up and down the road by hotel we always had to phone one but never waited to long for them to come. We did enjoy ourselves it is quiet there and peaceful if that's what you are looking for. The Hotel is not bad but I would not go back I would get a hotel in Albufeira which is more livelier and not have to spend on cabs up to 4 times a day some days.

We stayed here in June this year and the hotel and grounds were beautiful, with a gorgeous private beach, however we stayed in one of the two blocks of appartments which arnt too good. The kitchen had two rings to cook on and a fridge, no work surfaces, no kettle, no microwave, no air con in fact it was very basic, and not comfortable at all. If you can afford it I would reccomend you upgrade to the hotel or one of the little bungalows in the grounds of which there are many they looked much better. Hotel facilities were good, bar and reception really helpful and friendly, swimmingpool really nice. Bit far way from any of the nightlife though, it cost £10.00 to go into Albufeira and £20.00 to Villamoura. There is not much around the hotel so you need to venture out. There is a bus at the bottom of the road which runs on the hour until 7pm costing £3.50 one way which brings the cost down a little. There is also supermarket at the bottom of the road which is really reasonable if you have a proper kitchen to make breakfast in. Albufeira strip and the old town are fab for great nights out and the weather was beautiful evenin June

When you book a break to somewhere new it always feels like a gamble and a risk, especially when you read other peoples reviews on a place. My boyfriend and I booked to stay at Algarve gardens as a short break without the children and we were so surprised and pleased when we arrived. The staff all seemed really helpful and friendly and the setting within beautiful gardens was gorgeous. The beach is a stones throw and is breathtaking and the complex is set in a quiet area but with easy access to the bus stop which gets you to Albufeira in about 15 minutes. From Albufeira you can access other areas of Portugal and there are lots of activities , trips, markets etc to entertain you. On the whole my boyfriend and I love this place and are looking to take the children back within the month!! Do not be put off by negative, moaning fussy holiday makers who would not be satisfied anywhere!!