Hotel Sol e Mar, Albufeira

Advantages: Near all amenities. Good central Location.
Disadvantages: You cannot book the sun (pity)

...Flights: The nearest airport is Faro in Portugal. BA flies there as do the main cheapos. Ryan Air flies from Stanstead whilst Easy Jet flies from Gatwick, Luton and Stanstead. The earlier the flight is booked the cheaper the cost. Faro Airport: A smallish airport. Quite quick once landed but not too funny when flying back, as once you're through security, the shops and eating area is quite small. Expect long and slow queues when trying to eat or drink. Taxi's: Are available from the airport but I dont know their cost. If you're with a tour operator they will usually supply transport. If you've booked with the hotel direct, they can arrange an air-conditioned taxi for a fee of about 30 Euro's. Travelling time to Albufeira is about 40 mins. Albufeira: Imagine a road about 1 mile long, with a few roundabouts dotted along... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: everything about the place is an advantage.
Disadvantages: the non smoking policy (for some)

...With the exception of Tenerife I usually tend to holiday places only once, preferring to try new places rather than return to ones I have already visited. I have been to torremolinos twice now though and a large part of the reasoning behind that is this wonderful hotel (Sol Principe). This hotel is situated alongside the beach of Playa mar approximately 2km outside the city of torremolinos. It is served by Malaga airport which is a little over 4 miles away and takes only a 15 minute transfer by coach to reach. On approach to this hotel the first thing that caught my eye was the size of the grounds it stood in but it soon became apparent why. This hotel is actually part of a complex which includes as well as the hotel itself the Apartments Sol Principito, a fairly large private car park, a sports area, gardens, a supermarket... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: the food, staff, the pools
Disadvantages: might be a bit too quiet for some person

...Falesia Hotel The hotel isn't actually in Albufeira but in Acoteias, which is about 15 minutes from the city of Albufeira, 20 minutes from Villamoura and 30-40 minutes from Faro Airport. We booked the holiday through Thomson. This is classed as a Thompson Gold holiday as the hotel is a 4 star. We paid £330 per person for 7 nights half board in the month of April. So was it worth it? Let's see. When we arrived at the hotel, we had to queue up for our rooms to get allocated. The people on the desk were friendly and helpful. The Room The hotels has 170 rooms. I think because I had requested a double bed, our options were limited. We were given a room on the second floor but unlike the rest of the rooms that had keycards, we given keys. Room 211A. The room was nice but seemed to be a lot smaller than the other... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful