We did our usual family last minute thing and paid over the odds for a week at the Stella Maris that turned out to be six days due to flight and transit times. This was August last year and we will not be victims of our own indecision in 2012 with the US and Malta already booked for a proper 2 weeks each.
The Stella Maris is a little bit remote, being halfway between Vilamoura and Albufeira but is well presented with friendly staff and a really pleasant albeit quite small pool area (there is also a small toddler pool / play area hidden round the back of the hotel so don't miss it!).
The food is a little bland and repetitive with breakfast the better meal ( we were half board but ate out the last 2 nights)..
Our family room was spacious with a nice little kitchen two tv's and two sleeping areas. The main area with 2 proper beds was fine ( these were snaffled by the ladies before my son and I reached the room with the heavier cases!).
Now let me tell you about the other two " beds".
" Bed" 1 was a cheap z bed affair with wooden Lats that fell out every time you opened it and did so if you as much as shored loudly during the night. Rolling over meant rolling off and a full scale capsize followed by Time travel back to GCSE woodwork to put the thing back together.
My son and I tossed a coin every night to see who would get the "raft".
"Bed" 2 was a convertible sofa that purported to be a double (and got used as a double twice when night time damage to the raft proved irretrievable).
This bed had such a thin mattress you would not believe it, even padded with all the are blankets you still felt like the princess and the pea - it was like sleeping on a five bar gate it was that uncomfortable. This bed was christened the " gate".
Now I've got the gate and the raft and my lack of sleep off my chest I will share a bit more with you.
If you are told that Vilamoura is a 20 minute stroll down the beach do not believe it. It is a good hour and more suited to a French foreign legion route march with Laurel and Hardy. More than one guest fell foul and returned burnt and dehydrated. If you make it.Vilamoura is lovely with some great bars ( including Figos) around the marina with some lovely yachts and cars knocking about. Don't expect to return easily though. The queue at the taxi rank behind Figos is always huge and the drivers don't like going to the Stella Maris as the route is convoluted with no return fares.
Take a trip to Albufeira Old Town and market, there is an escalator down to the beach which is gorgeous and the old town and market are smashing.
There is a superb beach 10 minutes walk from the Stella, turn right, go to the tennis courts and turn left then left again - it's a bit steep for people with walking difficulties but well worth it.
We enjoyed our break but for the raft and the gate so beware of the bed arrangements and ask before you book.

"Bed" 2 was a convertible sofa purporting to be a double

We visited Portugal for the first time in June.

We could not have found a better hotel, great service and very friendly staff. The apartment was very spacious, and cleaned every day.

The only downside was that the hotel is qite some distance from anywhere. Could really do with your own transport.

We went to the Stella Maris last wk in October. Hotel staff were all very friendly and helpful. We got a discount on breakfast when we checked in, breakfast was buffet and as hotel was quiet after a couple of days the waitress just asked what we wanted and it was made it for us which was even better! Room was huge with big balcony modern kitchen and bathroom tv in sitting room comfortable bedroom. Area was quiet but food places and only bar were very good. We walked to pine cliffs algarve restraunt in Sheraton algarve hotel, it's a posh 5 star complex but anyone can go in and eat the food was amazin!!! Big building site building hotel at end of the road but never heard any noise from it. Best part about area is the beach which stretchers to vilamoura lovely walk. Only little niggle with hotel is that when we arrived there and checked in we were given our room number and took lift. When we got to the floor and stepped out of lift it was pitch black no lights on were not told this at reception, had no idea where light switches were n had luggage with us. Ended up pressing peoples doorbells which were next to light switches till we got our bearings. Lights were off all the time we were there n it got dark early in October quite spooky coming in n goin out of hotel till you got to reception. I expect this was to save money as hotel wasn't busy. Overall thou very good holiday n would love to go back :-)

we spent 10 days at this hotel at the begining of October and it has to have been the most relaxing place i have stayed. the studio apartment was huge with a fully fitted seperate kitchen. We overlooked the pine forest and childrens pool so peaceful the only sound in the evenings being the crickets. The apartment had a bit of wear but as the hotel is about to close for a winter upgrade I expect that the marks on the walls etc will all be painted over. We only had breakfast once at the hotel it was okay but as I am coeliacand have to bring my own bread/cereals we felt it was a bit expensive for the limited amount I could get. The snack bar was great for lunches though. The reception staff deserve a special mention as they must be the most helpful I have come across organising taxi's, trips and pickup at airport. Local restaurants just okay but is was off season so might be better in high season. beach was excellent, this must be one of the cleanest places I have stayed, I even watched the cleaners sweeping the long outside passage to the underground car park. I would highly recommend this location.