LH Porto Rafael Altura Resort

The hotel has a great setting and view, and the pool is lovely. The rest was a letdown. Our mattress sagged and felt springy, the rooms had no soundproofing, and there were no curtains, so the sun got us up early. The air conditioning seemed to leave the room either freezing or boiling. Wi-Fi was patchy at best, working for only about half our stay and with a poor signal in our room. We also had no hot water for 24 hours. Check-in involved waiting around for ten minutes while reception staff “finished something.” Breakfast was exactly the same every single day. We didn’t have a terrible time, but I can’t recommend it.

The staff were pleasant, and people seemed to enjoy the views and location. Breakfast was good, and the rooms were okay, but the beds weren’t comfortable. A mattress topper would help. The pool also looked older than the photos suggested, with a yellow stain around the whole thing. Wi-Fi didn’t work, and I heard other guests complaining about it too. We chose this hotel partly for that feature, but the front desk seemed to have no answer beyond saying it might work later. For the price, I expected the advertised basics to be available. In my view, it falls short on comfort and Wi-Fi, and the hotel hasn’t aged well.

The biggest problem was having no Wi-Fi for four days. Staff tried to help and even offered their own mobile hotspots, but the issue never got fixed. At more than 300 euros a night, going without internet for that long was unacceptable to me. A hotel of this standing should be able to provide reliable access, even though I understand technical problems can happen. The bedding also made it hard to rest. The sheets were very thin and poor quality, and the old spring mattresses were uncomfortable. I was also surprised that water wasn’t replenished daily and that I had to pay for it, since I consider it a basic courtesy. I appreciate the staff’s efforts, but these issues left me disappointed. I hope the feedback helps improve future guests’ stays.

The staff were excellent, and my partner and I did enjoy our stay, but I wouldn’t come back. For what we paid, even in peak season, the value wasn’t there. I’ve stayed at other resorts that offered much more for less. Knowing what I know now, I’d choose a hotel in town instead. They cost about the same and are easier to get around from. Our sea-view room had a great outlook and good air conditioning. The beach nearby was an easy walk, the bar drinks were good, and breakfast was decent. Palau has lots of food options, a night market, and boat trips. But the room wasn’t well maintained, and the mattress was almost painful to sleep on. Walking into Palau takes about 20 minutes, which isn’t great in the heat. In hot season, you realistically need a car.