Afago Mareiro Hotel

The pool is a nice size, and towels for the beach and pool are available at the front desk. They also offer parking in the hotel basement. Our room was small but fine for two, with a balcony facing the water. It was basic, as was the hotel generally, though the property was clean and in a great location. We’ll try the free breakfast in the morning.

The staff were nice, and the hotel was fine, but lots of little things were poorly handled. The fan in the room was very noisy, there was no water available, and the gym felt small and stuffy. The pool wasn’t open for morning laps. The AC kept the room cool, but everything stayed a bit damp. That’s the climate even in winter, so a dehumidifier would make sense. There was no iron in the room, and breakfast was okay. Overall, underwhelming.

The friendly, cool staff and the open, pleasant lobby were the bright spots. Otherwise, I found this more like a two-star motel by American standards, despite what most reviews say. My first-floor room 191 had cockroaches, a window that wouldn’t close, a toilet that wouldn’t flush, stained cheap beds, outdated decor, and a TV that kept flashing on and off. Hotel Luzeiros next door looks like it offers much better quality for the same price. Bourbon Hotel was mediocre too, though not as bad as this place.

The location is clearly a plus, but I found the hotel overrated. For its star rating, the breakfast could be improved. I had a beachfront room, yet there weren’t even chairs on the balcony. The pool is nice, though buildings around it leave it mostly in shade during the afternoon.