I felt moved to write having read the recent positive review of this hotel, which is quite definitely the worst place I have ever stayed in. The bedroom was very far from clean and full of very old-fashioned and uncomfortable furntiure; indeed, the decor generally was very tired and this certainly extended to the bathroom which badly needed refurbishment. The air-conditioning was noisy and antiquated though without it the room would have been even more unbearable. The flashing neon sign right outside our window combined with incessant street noise to make sleep impossible.

The man on reception was very surly although my wife spoke to him in Portuguese. When we went out we told him about a light bulb that needed replacing but this had not been done when we returned. He insisted on being shown the problem and when my wife turned the switch on the lamp there was a loud bang and she received an electric shock, though he seemed unconcerned. The breakfast was definitely the worst I have had in Portugal with undrinkable coffee and juice very far from fresh. Needless to say, we fled, and perhaps for the only time on holiday had checked out before 8 am.

For this (thankfully) one night we paid about £70 or 100 Euros for a double room with an extra camp bed for my 12 year old son. I hardly think this is 'fantastic value', unless the hotel has been totally transformed since our visit in August 2004.