Written Review
"Unbeatable setting"
Enjoyed five nights there in a party of 4 male golfers in two double rooms on the sixth floor. Wonderful view, roomy furnished balcony, clean well presented, good sized rooms. Serviced well every day. Handy, secure golf club store right outside the main entrance. Good parking.
Extensive choice at breakfast buffet.
Indoor pool, sauna, steam room etc all good though require a little tidying around the edges.
Massage exceptional.
Recommended due to helpful staff and the superb location on the beach. Very close to good golf courses.
"Lovely to be here"
Good location and quiet place. Room was very spacious and spotless and balcony was roomy with a day bed table and two chairs. Sunny days with lovely views.
The staff are so helpful and friendly nothing was too much trouble.
The food was as good as ever. The beach is fabulous, especially good for small children as the sand is so soft. Have to return to try the sea ...
We used yellow fish taxi compay to take us between Faro Airport and hotel, everything went great, easy to book and all extras as promissed, free gift and free wifi, amazing. Highly recommended as well as this hotel worthy of its 5 stars and will be returning again.
"Great welcome, very comfortable and magnificent location"
Just returned from 10 days at the Alvor Praia, their first weeks of the season. Great welcome with a bottle of vinho spumante and chocolate strawberries in the room to mark our 50th wedding anniversary year. All the staff were very friendly and helpful whether front office, room staff, porters, or in the dining room/bar areas). The superior double room was just that with a huge comfortable bed (6 foot 6 inches wide!) with a sitting area and a big terrace. Nicely equipped and furnished. Bathroom slightly tired - well worn chrome, and tiling once very smart now well worn and the back of the bathroom door could have done with painting. But all very clean and acceptable. Great views from the 6th floor around the bay to the harbour. Close enough to walk to the village along the shore and further for bit more of a stretch to the harbour entrance and back along the board walk. Magnificent. Wifi generally in the public areas though it was accessible on the terrace and by the window in the room. Some noise from the boiler chimneys being up on the top floor but not too intrusive (bit like being on a ship you get used to it!).
"Love it here!"
Great hotel on a beautiful beach. It has a homely, welcoming feel and nothing is too much trouble. We have stayed before and emailed them beforehand and we were upgraded to a suite, which made our trip AMAZING! They really look after you.
Great breakfast! Try the beach bars for dinner, I think Atlantico (similar name) is the best, I could happily go each night.
Planning on a return trip this July.
I meant to review years ago and keep forgetting, as our last trip was actually 3 years ago.
Great place :-)
"Fabulous location"
This hotel is right on the white sandy beach, with a fabulous view all around the bay to Lagos.
The hotel has an indoor and outdoor pool, spa facilities,access to golf and is only a short walk along the sand to the pretty fishing village of Alvor.
"Sunshine all Day"
Hotel Pestana Alvor Praia is a 5* hotel adjacent to the beach and around 1 km from the small village of Alvor in the west of the Algarve. Accommodation is excellent and maid service unequalled. Complete changes of towels and bed linen are frequent - in our case daily - and the hotel is spotless. The staff could not be more helpful. The restaurant was very busy and the breakfasts are superb with a pianist providing pleasnt background music. The buffet dinners are also very good with a large choice of starters, main course and deserts. The half bosrd package was extremely good value. In October the beach stretching over2 miles was verty quiet and there are free sunloungers and umbrellas below the hotel which is situated at the top of a cliff. Access to the beach is by lift or on foot. I can imagine the place to be rather more crowded in July and August.
"Lovely hotel"
My husband and I stayed June 2014. The room was a good size nicely decorated and in good condition, likewise the bathroom. We had a sea view room and the view was stunning. We thought the overall look of the hotel was smart and not as dated as some reviews have mentioned. We particularly liked the fish pond that ran through the bar area.
Food in the restaurant was good for breakfast and the salad choice and soup choice for dinner was good. We didn't like the seating in the restaurant as the tables for two were much too close together.
Service was generally good.
"Great break"
Lovely hotel. Lovely atmosphere. Extremely helpful staff.
I had mentioned when booking on line ...A very good deal .....that it was our wedding anniversary. We were upgraded to a Seaview room and sparkling wine and chocolate dipped strawberries were left in our room.
Very impressive.
Will definitely return...
"Love Alvor"
The hotel was mentioned in our travel book so we decided to check it out. It was away from the main town on a magical beach. The hotel was nice but not incredible and our room was a little disappointing. Breakfast was delicious. We decided to go for a beach walk. The beach truly was beautiful. To one side were rock formations that formed little sheltered beach areas. The other direction provided miles of beautiful sandy beach to walk on. There were a number of food "shacks" on the beach. We had drinks at two of them and loved it. The hotel had a nice small indoor pool and a large unheated outdoor pool. We found it a bit too cool to swim outside; however, there was a large area for deck chairs to enjoy being outside. We had a rental car and we appreciated the convenience. It was quite a walk to the little town. Alvor was amazing. We had dinner at Al Dente for fantastic Italian. We found a lovely little sidewalk restaurant for lunch (pizza, beer, and sangria) with wonderful food and service just up from the yacht club area, sorry I can't recall the name. There were lots of restaurants and little shops to check out.
"Not 5 star but close"
Very nice hotel
It is not 5 star as the general reception is very dated along with a fair few other areas.
However it is a good 4 star and all meals were really good. Piano player at breakfast and a really nice choice.
The rooms with a sea view are great and try
and get the 4th floor and above, the top floors are for deluxe rooms. You can hear the sea come into the room at night.
Area is a little away from the main town and is a 20 min walk. However if you use the beach walk you can do in 15 mins. On the beach walk towards the town and cross over at the camper vans parking straight into town.
Staff were freindly and helpfull.
"NICE HOTEL"
My wife and I stayed her at end of Sept and was impressed with this particular hotel. We were on a B & B basis and the room we had (228) was excellent, right next to reception, with sea view. The breakfast is your usual buffet fare, but plentiful and tasty. The grounds and swimming pool are very nice and the beach below is excellent. Those that wander to Alvor for dinner, a taxi ride is just short of 5 so not to expensive for a night out, which we did every night.
All in all a good hotel for the Alvor area if a little dated. The Atlantida restaurant on this beach is highly recommended
"hoilday"
we have just returned from a brilliant holiday at this hotel . food and drink were excellent. staff all very good and could not do enough for us. the only draw back was the entertainment which we still enjoyed but we put this down to it being the end of the season
"food heaven"
if you love your food this is the hotel you should be staying at. excellent food, dessert heaven so well layed out with lots of choice to suit everyones choice.even at breakfast time you wont be disappointed ,I thought they had a lovely cd playing of piano music much to my surprise there was a man sitting at a piano playing,very nice touch.the cleaning staff do a fantastic job and keep the hotel spotless and our room was spotless and fresh everyday thankyou!. the best hotel I have ever stayed in.
"One of the Best on the Algarve"
A really fabulous hotel in a magnificent position. The breakfast is on a buffet basis but with an omelette chef. The rooms are well sized with comfortable beds, lovely gardens and a great pool.
The staff were all helpful happy people. We shall return
"Return trip"
This is our second visit to the Alvor Praia. Not disappointed at all. The hotel is clean and comfortable, we stayed on a b&b basis so can only comment on breakfast, there was good choice made available until 10.30am.
The pool and bar areas are well managed. Towels are provided in the pool area, I do agree with an earlier comment that the beach sun beds could be upgraded but the pool ones are fine.
All of the staff are friendly and accommodating.
Bar prices are expensive but I think that is the same in most hotels.
In a nutshell great location, friendly staff, warm welcome in a clean comfortable hotel.
"Brilliant."
This place is great. We were lucky in that although we arrived 10.30am, they let us check-in straightaway, meaning we could unpack and head straight for the pool. What was noticeable was the lack of children, possibly due to the time of year - last weekend. That doesn't mean it's unsuitable as it would be great for families and couples alike. Just seemed an older clientel that weekend. Room was lovely with a balcony with table, chairs, sunbed and another soft seat and an Amazing view. Staff were friendly and helpful. Spa was reasonably priced and breakfast and dinner in the restaurant was good. At poolside they provide towels so it's unnecessary to take any, especially if you're travelling with just hand luggage - short break like we were. Town is several minutes in a taxi away at 6 each way. Hotel location is brilliant, one side overlooking the beach which is just down some steps or use the elevator situated poolside. Beach is amazing, just like the view from the pool terraces. Beach has several snack bars and the pool area at the hotel has a bar and eating place on hand. Totally recommend this place and will be going back.
"Another amazing stay!"
This is our 4th time at this lovely hotel and it cannot be faulted in my opinion! Staff are excellent from the hotel manager through to the maids and gardeners! Spotlessly clean, clean bed linen every day and amazing views!
"Amazing views"
this hotel has so much going for it situated above the most amazing beach which has the wow factor.evening meals were of good quality but not much choice at times,breakfasts were much better.drinks were very expensive.the entertainment was awful different singers singing the same OLD songs management please sort it out you have a gem of a hotel.all staff were very friendly and helpful,lady in hotel shop your customer skills are excellent.we will return without hesitation.
"Looking tired.."
Been coming here for a long time, standards sadly dropping. Sunbeds on beach appalling, some replaced poolside but not all. Beach towels could be improved upon too.
Concierge service not always available, reception staff pleasant enough but checking in is not as speedy as it should be. Wifi in a 5* hotel should be available throughout and of a good standard.
"Enjoy the Pestana Alvor Praia Hotel"
This is a very good hotel within the Pestana Chain. It is situated on a cliff, with its own lift down to its own beach and has its own Free beach su beds, very unusual these days! The daily menus are varied and try to cater for their international clientele and it is of very good quality, especially the sea and shell fish food.
All the staff from the poolside towel employees right through to front of house are trained and have excellent customer service skills and all guests are made to feel nothing is too much trouble.
"Good location. Lovely area."
The Hotel is situated in Alvor. This is a lovely resort which is within walking distance. Would recommend Annie's Bar for a drink, lunch or dinner for a change from the Hotel. There is a free bus into Portimao everyday. The Hotel has a lift from the pool deck down to the beach or you can walk down the steps. We stayed in the apartments not in the Hotel with a terrific view over the sea. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. It has an outdoor pool, indoor pool, sauna and Jacuzzi, gymn and kids club. We had a really lovely time and would definitely go back.
"Excellent Holiday"
The hotel and it's location are excellent. There are no add on charges for the safe in the room, the sunbeds/parasol on the beach or the fridge, our last holiday cost us 175euro's for these items for a week and this must be taken into account when you book up.
"Very very good"
The whole hotel was amazing and we thoroughly recommend it to anyone who thinks of staying. The pool was nice and the elevator straight down to the beach was an awesome touch. All the staff were very good and friendly. We would gladly come back again.
"Relaxing & Quality Menu"
My wife and I went for a holiday to relax and enjoy good surroundings. The hotel is in a perfect location set above a scenic beach. The onshore breeze was refreshing and the hotel itself and gardens were spacious with plenty of areas to relax.
The restaurant and buffet were excellent offering a wide selection 'real' chef prepared quality food.
We would certainly like to visit again.
"Cracking hotel."
Our first impression of the hotel when we arrived was that it was dated and I felt disappointed with the hotel I had choosen and thought the misses was going go ape.
This changed when we walked through the doors. The hotel was right gem. One of the best we have stayed in.
The room we were given was above the kitchen and you could smell the food threw the aircon. I raised this with the reception. They immediately gave us a new room (upgraded) with a sea view, although slightly smaller and this was no hassle for them at all and this was sorted within an hour.
We stayed half board, breakfeast was brillent, fresh omlettes, pancakes, continetal and english and complimentry juice, tea and cava.
The evening meals were good as well buffet style and a fresh bbq outside.
If you stay half board and decided to eat out in alvor inform the reception and they will give you a voucher for 40 euros for lunch (this does not include drinks) which was our mistake but as she could see we budgetted for drinks they did not charge us. 40 euros for lunch was enough in food for 3 courses for both of us
I can't comment on the pool as we didn't go it, as the beach with free sunlougers provided by the hotel was were we spent our lazy days.
I enquired with the hotel about a cake and to order a bottle of champagne as it my misses birthday.
This appeared in her room for her birthday and they refused to take anyform of payment.
Overall this is a brillent hotel. excellent customer service and couldn't do more for you. If i was to go back i would stay in this hotel. and im normally a picky bugger
"5 STAR TRIP TO PORTUGAL"
what can I say about this hotel it had everything.Food 5 star,stayed in June.drinks adequate serving around the pool.lunch at the pool if you wanted.rooms great.staff supberb.reps great we met two couples on the rep walk and are still meeting up with them in the uk.thanks Thompson rep.plenty of sunbeds to choose from.lift down to the beach and the beech is fantastic wth rocks as big as houses.you can walk down it and there are restaurants at the beech fantastic.we are planning to go back in 2015.
"Summer holiday 2014"
We stayed a couple of weeks ago for 7 nights. Couldn't fault anything from our arrival to departure. We had a garden view room which was lovely, peaceful, plenty of space, good air con and nice and clean. Great staff, friendly and professional, as someone who has previously worked in the hospitality industry for many years I can appreciate how hard they work and please remember the pay is not always impressive. It was great that dinner was available until 10.30pm. Food was good and there was always plenty of choice. Nice pool area and the beach was gorgeous. Thank you Pestana Alvor Praia for a wonderful holiday, shame it wasn't longer than 7 days, next time perhaps. We would definitely recommend this hotel and we will certainly return when we get the opportunity.