Solaqua

Bad staff bad rooms so dirty manager very ignorant key cards don’t work disrespectful towards your wrights and didn’t give us are deposit back but bar man top man

Just back from a week in albufeira with my wife and daughter, 18. We stayed in the Solaris as we thought it was close to the old town/ beach but far enough away to not be in the middle of everything. The hotel was lovely. Very clean, maid service/ cleaners daily. There is a lively pool, with no issues getting sun loungers at the poolside. A small cafe/ poolside snack terrace is available which was a welcome opportunity to cool off at times. We had breakfast included which gave a choice of cooked, continental with teas coffees and juices. Plenty to eat and of good quality, we walked into old town the first night, about fifteen minutes, but realised that Ubers are plentiful and very reasonable, 4-7 euros each way. A shopping centre, albufeira terrace is just a two minute walk away. The old town is based around a very busy square, noisy during the football but felt very safe. Night clubs for the younger ones but plenty of restaurants and bars, most serving food until very late 1am and after. Away from the square there are beautiful side streets with gorgeous restaurants. We had beautiful Italian in ambrosio, but our best meal was in a small Portuguese restaurant called os arcos near sherrys bar, just off the square. Very reasonable Portuguese food with great staff, stepping back in time to where the food and the staff were first class, with no need for neon lights and flashy advertising. Went to silves castle, which was amazing, but very hot that day. The pescadores beach was a day out for us as well. The beach has loungers,€7 each and the same for a canopy. The access to the water is quite steep and sea is fairly hard hitting here, not the best place for young children I would have thought. Overall Albufeira was great and the navigator Diana was an excellent base to explore from.

Visited as a couple for 11 nights. The hotel is dated and I’d say in need of an upgrade, however on a plus cleanliness was excellent. Daily maid service. Towels cleaned etc. very basic in and on public areas like reception & pool. Staff were pleasant. I’d say key to point out the hotel is full of young groups, stags, hens etc so expect to hear some partying in the rooms & corridors from 2 - 6am. Not a family hotel. Area hotel is in is pretty run down but also next to a fab super market for supplies. Getting to old town is super quick - uber is 5 mins away and only at approx €3.50