Have just returned from a week's stay at this comfortable hotel. The first thing to stress is that it is perfectly positioned for those staying in Carvoeiro as it is virtually at the top of 'restaurant hill' the long steepish descent into the town which has countless good quality restaurants on both sides of the road.
It is a 3 storey hotel with a good external pool area and a small indoor pool suitable for use during poor weather (of which we had more than our fair share).
The bedrooms are very comfortable and sedately decorated. Amply sized en suite, air conditioning (at no additional charge) decent wardrobe space. No soap when we arrived so we went out and bought some; no toilet brush at all at all. Our room was probably on the weakest side in term of views as it overlooked the car park and northern side of the hotel.
In contrast to the bedroom decor the public rooms and corridors are Linda Barker gone mad 15 years ago. 'Well Laurence I thought I'd go bonkers with a moorish theme and primary colours'. Lime Green and orange corridors mid pink and cobalt blue walls in the lounge with lime green chairs. I thought this might grow on me by the end of the week but it didn't; in fact it began to irritate me.
The staff were, with one exception, excellent; particularly the evening reception and bar staff who were angels. The exception was one of the waiters with suspiciously dark hair who had the arrogant swagger of an East German prison camp guard and met guests' sincere questions (about how to use the coffee making machine for example) with a look of 'if you're that simple you shouldn't be allowed out on your own'. Yes, you know who you are sunshine. Note to all waiters for the avoidance of doubt: this is not endearing behaviour.
The public areas and bedrooms were kept immaculately clean at all times but every time I sat in the lounge area for any significant period of time I found several tiny (non biting) ants running all over me.
We were there on a B and B basis and the breakfasts were of a very good standard if somewhat repetitive. The hotel was desperately quiet throughout our stay (a little unusual as Winter is the golfing season and there are 2 good courses nearby). Most nights there were only 1 or 2 couples going in for dinner. As a result there was a distinct lack of atmosphere.
There was an easy to use computer in the reception area for keeping in touch or online checking in of your return flight. The lifts were absolutely excellent.
I would have had no hesitation in giving this hotel a 4 star rating had (a) there been more breakfast variety (b) more sedate decor (c) a little more atmosphere (d) uniformly excellent staff (e) fewer ants in the lounge (a gecko whom I christened 'gordon' lives behind the large TV in the lounge and does his best to keep the ant population under control)
The strong points were (a) the wonderful position (b) most of the staff were excellent (c) great outdoor pool area (d) comfortable rooms with free air conditioning (e) good if unvaried breakfasts (f) generally pretty good value for money

In it's favour this is a clean, comfortable hotel with good breakfasts. That about sums it up, it has no atmosphere, staff are miserable and very thin on the ground. Could never find anyone to serve us at either bar so ended up spending our euros elsewhere. Where the 4 star rating comes from I do not know, a passable 3 at most.

However Carvoeiro itself is a great place to spend a holiday - beautiful beaches and good restaurants and bars. I would have to disagree with other comments and say we always found eating and drinking out incredible value for money. So many good restaurants within easy walking distance all with lovely friendly staff too. We never had a bad meal.

Arrived at 1.00am, friendly reception. Room clean, comfortable, light and airy and aircon a god send. Only negative no tea or coffee making facilities in the room. Pool area is excellent, clean and plenty of sunbeds and umberellas. Pool bar open serving soft drinks and alcohol,and snacks. The waiter could do with smiling occasionally !. We stayed on BB basis, breakfast ok nothing special, but the sugar topped muffins are to die for !!!. Take a coffee and a muffin and sit outside the bar area very relaxing.
Carvoeiro is beautiful especially from a cliff top view, there are many restaurants and bars to choose from catering for all tastes.a visit to Happy's half way down reataurant hill is in our opinion a must, just be prepared for 'The dutchmans' wicked sense of humour. The O Indian on the cliff top was another highlight. Try to get an outside table, the view over the town at night is lovely. The food especially the seekh kebab starter is delicious. We ate out at a different restaurant each night and did not have a bad meal. For entertainment, we had relaxing times in the Havana Bar (Mojito Time) but for a more lively evening go to The Round Up Saloon, (Big Guy on door with Hat). This resort is perfect for a relaxing holiday,

Spent 10 days half board here Sept 2011 myself and hubby (both mature lol) and found the hotel to be very clean, spacious with a nice pool area and a good location. The food was good, ok as people have previously said the coffee machine causes queues but only until people get the hang of it. Plenty of choice for both breakfast and dinner, buffet food was always fresh and not 'mush' like some buffet food. Beds are firm, but this suited me. Air con is really good, and our room was cleaned daily and towels changed. We took our own pool towels, as I think 20 euros deposit is a bit steep - if it went missing I think you would not be pleased to fork out this amount to replace it! Found staff to be friendly, especially if you made the effort to speak to them - after all folks behaviour breeds behaviour eh? Agree there was minimum staff, but I presume this is due to the recession biting. Loved the resort itself and surrounding area, quiet but busy if that makes sense. Felt very relaxed and safe, never saw any loutish behaviour, just people genuinely enjoying themselves. First time to Portugal and it was a very positive experience! Don't hesitate to go to this hotel, I'm sure you will like it.