Barracuda A11

I paid €300 for four days all-inclusive, with a sea-view room at a beachfront hotel, free transport, and food and drinks included. The place was super clean and comfortable, with incredible staff. It really felt like a hidden gem for the money. I’m in my 40s and stayed on my own. The hotel’s location is handy for the beach, and you can walk along the beech to the Old Town in 20-30 minutes, or take the free shuttle, which takes about 10. The Strip is a 10-minute walk uphill, with lively nightclubs, pubs and bars. The marina, with its colorful buildings, bars, restaurants and activities, is about a gentle 40-minute walk away. It’s clean and presentable, although the decor is beige and dated. The staff are absolutely fantastic, friendly and welcoming. The food is good, and the drinks are strong. The outdoor pools were cold when I visited in March, which was expected, but the pool areas were clean and there was food and drink service throughout the day at the pool bar and restaurant. The smaller indoor pool was warm at 29° and clean. The hotel feels a bit like staying at your favorite grandparents’ house for a long weekend, in a good way. The atmosphere is slow-paced, and most guests are over 60. You’ll be looked after and get decent, hot, good-quality food every day in a safe, comfortable and clean setting. The decor is quite dated. There’s a €100 card deposit on arrival, which they say will be credited back within a few days after departure, so keep an eye out for it. The hotel had day and evening activities listed on boards around the property, though I was out a lot and didn’t experience much of the entertainment. Tours and boat rides can be booked through the hotel. I recommend the Tuk-Tuk tour, the caves and the dolphin watching tours. The hotel is spread across several levels, so there are lots of stairs, which add to its charm. Staff seemed to try to help everyone get around. Ignore the 1-star reviews from people with mobility issues who hadn’t researched the hotel before booking. The layout and location don’t deserve a low rating because someone didn’t check their accommodation first. If you’re looking for white marble, glass balconies, an infinity pool or Michelin-star-style luxury, this place isn’t for you. But if you want a good, honest, clean and friendly hotel, book it.

We only had breakfast at the hotel, and while the menu stayed the same, everything was fresh. There was a good range of fruit, vegetables, sweet pastries, sandwiches, sausages, ham and cheese. The service was pleasant and polite, and the staff were always ready to help. We were happy with our stay. It’s a 3-star hotel, but it was a pleasant surprise. The rooms are small but quite big enough for two, and I liked that every room has a balcony. The location is very good, with a direct walk to the beach and incredible views of the ocean and coast.

The food was our favorite of all the hotels we’ve visited. There was lots of variety, high-quality ingredients, amazing desserts and smiling, attentive staff. We also loved the premium room, especially having coffee on the balcony, the daily cleaning and all the thoughtful amenities. The staff were kind and welcoming throughout. Ion at the front desk made us feel at home from the moment we arrived. Outside, the rocks, ocean view, Love Tree, garden and pool felt like a fantasy world. We’ve stayed at many all-inclusive hotels in Turkey, Bulgaria and Egypt, and Auramar was by far our best experience. Although it’s about a 30-minute walk from Albufeira city center, we appreciated the free private shuttle bus, which gets you where you need to go in just five minutes. We went just before our baby girl was born, so it felt like our last holiday as a couple. We really enjoyed the honeymoon package with champagne, chocolates and flower petals, and especially the peaceful, quiet atmosphere before becoming parents. There were plenty of daytime and evening activities, from sangria workshops to karaoke. The bar had a wide range of high-quality drinks, including great non-alcoholic choices, which I especially appreciated. We hope to come back with our baby girl one day, and highly recommend Auramar for a dream holiday full of beauty, care and unforgettable memories.

The food was amazing, and the entertainment team had activities that were fun for all ages. Everything was clean, and the staff were extremely respectful. I’ll definitely come back when the weather’s nicer.