- Algarve Holidays
- Albufeira
- Sao Rafael Suite Hotel
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Sao Rafael Suite Hotel
Portugal, Europe
Albufeira
Ideally situated right next to the beautiful São Rafael beach, this is the ideal choice of accommodation when visiting this lively, tourist region. The hotel enjoys good road connections and is within easy reach from several leisure facilities like Albufeira Marina or Salgados Golf Course. All guest rooms and suites are tastefully appointed in beige tones and offer wide balconies from where visitors can enjoy wonderful sunsets. Moreover, guests can enjoy the therapies and massages in the relaxation centre, while children play in the children's club. Travellers may also go for a refreshing swim at the fantastic outdoor pools and enjoy the wide array of leisure facilities in the surrounding area.
Hotel Information
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments and facials. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including an outdoor pool, an indoor pool and an outdoor tennis court. Additional features at this hotel include concierge services and supervised childcare.
Facilities
- Portugal - Clean and Safe
- Tennis
- Spa treatments
- Massage
- Turkish bath (hamam)
- Steam bath
- Sauna
- Parasols
- Sun loungers
- Children’s swimming area
- Please note some facilities may incur an additional fee
Due to the surrounding area and the number of steps around the hotel, it may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
The Local Area
Tripadvisor Reviews
4.0 Very Good435 reviews
Excellent
61%
Very Good
13%
Average
12%
Poor
8%
Terrible
6%
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Very disappointed
Extremely disappointed. Whilst the hotel itself was lovely and the location was great, I have had a terrible experience with this hotel.
Firstly, there were samosas labelled as vegetable / vegetarian which, as a vegetarian, I picked up to eat only to find they were filled with chicken. When I told one of the members of staff, they said that they knew but didn't have a chicken samosa sign so decided to use the vegetable one regardless, even saying they knew this was wrong but did it anyway. To their credit, after speaking with the manager she apologised profusely and ensured nothing like this would happen again.
Secondly, after having our room cleaned, I arrived back in the hotel room to find one of my retainers on the floor in the hallway and the other nowhere to be found. I spoke with reception throughout the week requesting assistance for them to look in case they had been taken with housekeeping as we believed they may have been swept up. After not being able to find them, it was agreed that I would be reimbursed for a new retainer and one email was sent at the end of July confirming this. Following this email, I have emailed eight times with the receipt of the new retainer as well as other requested information and have received zero response at all.
I am completely disgusted that for a 5 star hotel I've received extremely poor service and zero response despite having in writing that I would be transferred these funds. I'm now over £150 out of pocket.
Would recommend!
We had a lovely stay at NAU São Rafael Suites and would definitely consider staying here again. The hotel had everything we needed for a relaxing stay. The facilities were great, the staff were all incredibly helpful and friendly, and nothing was too much trouble. The food was also brilliant. I only eat fish and no meat, so I was really impressed by the freshness and variety of the food available, especially for an all-inclusive hotel. There was plenty of choice throughout our stay. The location was also ideal, just a short walk from the beach and marina, and only a short drive into Albufeira Old Town. Overall, we had a really enjoyable stay and would happily come back!
Review by Marcela M London, United Kingdom
Brilliant Break in a Great Hotel
Myself and my husband are just back from our trip and honestly have only positive comments about the holiday. Unfortunately some people have written some unfounded negative reviews about the hotel and the staff but that was not our experience at all. The front of house staff are really welcoming, and were available to assist with any questions. The dining room staff are hard working and we found the food was great with plenty of options on each of our 6 nights there. Next, to our enormous suite- what can I say only it was spotless with housekeeping every day. Lovely touch to have a litre bottle of water in our room and would give us extra if we needed it. The pools are spotless and very well maintained and the loungers high quality. We didn’t use the spa but it appeared nice. The bar had entertainment in the evening, singers, guitarist, quiz just to mention a few. Overall a great break.
Review by 894Aisling17 Kildare, Ireland
Great stay
Our last day of our 7 night stay here. Fantastic staff, lovely food. We were upgraded to a suite on arrival and given access to the all inclusive package, even though we arrived 4 hours before check in. Always a sunlouger available. A big shout out to Miguel from Cape Verde. What a lovely guy, full of fun, energy and such a friendly approach with the guests, taking time to chat with everyone and make them laugh.
Review by Nicola F England, United Kingdom
Poor service. Staff don’t care.
The service at this all-inclusive hotel was so nonexistent that I honestly should have been awarded 'Employee of the Week'. Even though the main restaurant is a buffet, the attendants were useless, leaving me to fetch our own drinks, clear our plates, and essentially act as my family's personal server. I then promoted myself to 'Employee of the Year' after surviving the absolute disaster that was the à la carte restaurant. Ironically, what should have been a premium dining experience was actually the worst part of the trip. We were held hostage for two hours over a rigid set menu and received exactly one drink the entire time. What a joke! Beyond the terrible service, the hotel itself is incredibly tired and in desperate need of a full refurbishment. The one and only saving grace of this entire property was the entertainment manager, who was genuinely amazing.
Review by Anton L Manchester, United Kingdom
