Albufeira, 5 minutes to the beach (42)

Good value for money, and I’d stay here again. It’s a clean, nice hotel with comfortable beds and a decent shower. Being close to the bars and cafes means it can get a little noisy at night, so maybe not the best fit if you’re a light sleeper.

The noise made it impossible to sleep, with loud bars and party areas right next door going until around 4 AM. The listing never mentioned that, and the earplugs the hotel provides don’t make up for the lack of proper information. I also wasn’t told beforehand that we’d have to wear a wristband throughout the stay. It was uncomfortable and irritated my skin. Staff were often rude and unhelpful, especially receptionist Antonio, who made me feel very unwelcome. One night they even called my room at 2 AM asking for an iron I’d borrowed earlier. There was just one room key for two people, and we had to pay a deposit to get a second one. I stayed at Albufera Beach Hotel, and the whole experience felt unpleasant and stressful, nothing like the relaxing holiday I expected.

Bruno at reception was genuinely welcoming and helpful. They supplied beach towels and an umbrella at no charge, which is why I’d give service five stars. When we declined to pay 10€/hour for early check-in, the manager let us check in early with notes. Still, be prepared for loud music and big crowds from 7pm to 4am. The hotel tried to help with earplugs. The pictures show breakfast on site, but that wasn’t true; we had to walk to a local restaurant. The beach was a fine ten-minute walk away, with plenty of restaurants in the area. There was no ice, so we had to ask for some at the bar across the road. Using the safe required a refundable 50€ deposit for the key and lock. If you’re after an all-night party, this could suit you; for a quiet night, go elsewhere.

We had a room with a terrace, two loungers, a table, and two chairs. The only thing missing was a fridge, which would have been nice for keeping water cold in the high temperatures. The hotel was very quiet, with no shouting or banging doors, and the double-glazed doors kept noise out. Right on Bar Street, the location is incredible, and we never needed a taxi. The staff were so lovely and helpful. After a week there, we’ve just returned home, and I have to say the rooms were spotless. They were scrubbed and cleaned every day, with the linen changed twice during the week and the towels changed too. Highly recommended if you’re heading to Alburfeira for enjoyable nights out. We’ll be back.