Perola Do Algarve, Albufeira

...read several reviews about the Perola Do Algarve, Albufeira on Tripadvisor and so had some concerns .The reviews were a mixed bag , but as we had already booked our holiday we hoped for the best .

THE HOTEL
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The hotel has a sign saying Hotel Apartmento . It is classified as a 4 star Hotel and so should be up to a good standard . We were disappointed with our apartment as it was definitely ...
...will not return to The Perola Do Algarve , which apparently means The Pearl of the Algarve . They wish .


Check out http://www.aarhuscharter.dk/perola_do_algarve.asp
However there is no direct access to the sea , although the photo appears to show there is .

Thanks for reading
Copyright Eiley 2007  ... more

LOCATION
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The Algarve is the region of Portugal which incorporates it's sunny Southern Coast . It has many sandy beaches and a warm climate . Albufeira is a centrally placed large resort . It is overdevelpoped and rather commercial but has good beaches and a warm, sunny climate.

OUR HOLIDAY
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We have just arrived home from two lovely relaxing weeks vacation in the Algarve , Portugal . Never having visited Portugal before I had been eagerly anticipating this holiday for months . However sadly the accommodation was a let down . I had read several reviews about the Perola Do Algarve, Albufeira on Tripadvisor and so had some concerns .The reviews were a mixed bag , but as we had already booked our holiday we hoped for the best .

THE HOTEL
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The hotel has a sign saying Hotel Apartmento . It is classified as a 4 star Hotel and so should be up to a good standard . We were disappointed with our apartment as it was definitely not 4 star . It was a small studio with fittings such as the bathroom tiling being poor and cracked and the studio was just below standard .We had paid a reasonable amount for this holiday and so expected more . If you were to book this Hotel for a bargain price , you would probably be quite happy . However for us we felt a little overcharged . I shall not dwell on details but instead list what I felt were the negatives and the positives about this hotel .

THE NEGATIVES
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1 - The Hotel location . It is located down a steep slope which would be difficult for the less mobile traveller .Coaches only go to the top and so you have to walk up a hill from the hotel .

2 - As people are coming and going a lot during the night it can be noisy . The floors are hard surfaces which are noisy when people walk around in shoes or drag furniture about . For some reason guests these days seem to want to do this in the middle of the night .

3 - Apartments / studios which are designed to sleep two or three people are small .However some apartments have a separate bedroom .

4 - Two single beds are pushed together with no headboards .These beds were hard and uncomfortable .

5 - We did not use the kitchen much but there is a two ring hob and inset oven plus a small fridge ,sink , toaster and coffee percolator. There is no kettle and only two tiny coffee cups . There is a small selection of pots, pans and cutlery . The unit between the stainless steel sink and hob had a large pan burn on it . There was a sign above the sink saying that if you left dirty pots when vacating the apartment you would be charged . 100 euros if I remember right .I can understand the reasoning behind this sign but have never seen one in a hotel before . It seemed rather incongruous in a 4 star Hotel .There was a similar one in the bathroom . This one stated that guests would be charged for towels left with stains , which could not be removed . This fee was 60 Euros I think .

6 - There was a dressing table but no mirror . The only mirror was in the bathroom .

7 - The wardrobe doors did not close properly .

8 - The bedside table lamps did not work on arrival . After telling reception they were repaired . Although they now worked they only had one light bulb in each , although they were designed for two .

9 - The indoor pool was freezing cold . I think it was only meant as part of the gym facilities . The ceiling was low above it and it was in a basement .It was a decent size , oblong pool about four foot deep .

10 - To access the outdoor pool and restaurant you had to walk through a desolate underground garage . Otherwise access was gained by going up and down in various lifts and walking all over the place .

11 - There was no floor plan to find your way around the hotel . This made things difficult as the hotel reception was on the third floor , which was street level . The hotel had six floors . The outdoor pool and restaurant was on the first floor , whilst our accommodation was on the second floor . There was a bar on the fourth floor .

12 - The hotel bar was open till 1am . Depending upon your opinion this could be a negative or a positive .

13 - Buffet meals served in the hotel restaurant during the evening were OK but the local restaurants represented better value for money ,and provided tastier meals.

14 - There are not enough sun-beds and guests leave towels on sun beds to reserve them , sometimes for a whole day . They are not supposed to do this . It means that some beds are not used all day yet some guests cannot get a sun-bed .

15 - The bar has nightly entertainment which some guests enjoyed . However it was Karaoke , Bingo etc which is not for us .

16 - The television is a small portable one with basic channels . For extra channels there is a fee .

17 - A computer is available but it is one euro for ten minutes .

18 - The reception carries leaflets for various travel companies trips / excursions . However they are more expensive than booking directly with the company .

19 - The reception area has some seating and a cigarette machine but ,on the whole ,it is an unappealing area .

20 - There is no hairdryer in the room . One can be acquired at reception for a deposit .

21 - The safe costs 15 euros a week , with a 15 euro deposit also payable . The deposit is refundable .

THE POSITIVES
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1 - The staff were helpful and very friendly .Reception staff can give you maps of the town and directions .

2 - The outdoor swimming pool is a good sized free-form pool . It is very deep in parts .

3 - The smaller children's pool can be used by anyone , and is not a bad size .

4 - The area around the pool is good but could be bigger .

5 - The swimming pool snack bar serves good snacks which are reasonable priced .

6 - A courtesy bus to Fisherman's beach runs once a day . You have to book it the day before . However it is only a short distance to this beach and a pleasant walk .

7 - The town bus and tourist train are only 5 / 10 minutes walk from the hotel .

8 - A large supermarket and shopping complex is next to the hotel . Many guests found this a negative . However for us we thought it was handy .

9 - Our room had a large balcony about 14 foot by 14 foot . It would have been better though for our studio to have been larger and the balcony smaller .

10 -The Pergola Do Algarve is in a central position . Although it is near to everything the location is quiet and peaceful . It is midway between the Strip and The Old Town .

11 - There are gym facilities , a sauna , Jacuzzi and massages available .

12 - The bathroom includes a bath , shower spray , toilet , bidet , large mirror and large hand basin . There is storage space in the bathroom .

13 - The gardens of the hotel are small but well kept and attractive .

CONCLUSION
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I would not recommend this hotel . Anyone with mobility issues would find this accommodation difficult , despite the elevators . Also there are many better Hotels within the vicinity . The nearby Brisa Sol has a better location and looks much more impressive . It is hard to think that it has the same star rating . We had a great holiday and would visit the Algarve again , but that is down to us using our hotel mainly as only a base . However we will not return to The Perola Do Algarve , which apparently means The Pearl of the Algarve . They wish .

Check out http://www.aarhuscharter.dk/perola_do_algarve.asp
However there is no direct access to the sea , although the photo appears to show there is .

Thanks for reading
Copyright Eiley 2007 

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