The Westin Salgados Beach Resort, Algarve

I spent an amazing 12 nights at The Westin Salgados Hotel and will definitely be back. The prices were great, the location was awesome, and the customer service was excellent. The staff were so pleasant and wonderful that it felt like a home away from home. I had the pleasure of talking with three amazing team members, Noah, Duarte and Marianna. They were all wonderful representatives of the Westin, and the hotel is lucky to have them.

We were a little unsure after seeing mixed reviews, but ended up really enjoying our six nights in a junior suite at The Westin Salgados. The hotel is beautiful, with nice decor, immaculate grounds, access to the public beach, three huge pools with plenty of sun loungers, and a very well equipped fitness centre by hotel standards. Our room was comfortable and had a huge patio where we could enjoy a drink. The service was very good. Check-in with Martina was smooth and efficient, and all the staff we met were friendly and helpful. Most people we spoke to could speak English and Portuguese. I’d read that poolside service could be slow. The app showed 25 minutes, perhaps as a default, but our drinks always arrived much earlier. Turndown service was a nice touch. If you aren’t ready for it, you can use the opportunity to top up on coffee pods and water for the next morning. The hotel is a little out of the way, but Ubers to the towns on either side were cheap, and a couple of restaurants are within walking distance. The Algarve is spread out, so a resort this size won’t be right in the town centre. I recommend hiring a car to see the beautiful beaches nearby. A few things could be better, though they weren’t dealbreakers. The hotel restaurants had rather unexciting, pricey menus, but breakfast was good. We weren’t after a party hotel, yet it felt a bit too quiet. Halfway through our stay they added background music by the pools, and it made an immediate difference. The bathrooms could also use hooks or towel rails, so towels don’t have to hang over doors and chairs to dry. If you’re after a bit of luxury while visiting The Algarve, I highly recommend The Westin Salgados.

The Junior Suite was spacious and comfortable, and the quiet setting and large, attractive pool area made it easy to unwind. But the service and a few hotel practices really let things down. There was just one person handling drinks by the pool, and QR code orders took at least 20 minutes to arrive. Loud lawn equipment in the middle of the day also spoiled the peaceful atmosphere. At check-in, we were offered breakfast for €15 per person if we decided on the spot; otherwise, we were told it would be €30 per person. That kind of pressure felt out of place at a 5-star hotel. The facilities are lovely, but the poor service and sales tactics made the stay frustrating and below what we'd expect.

We had a really pleasant stay. The AC and TV in our room both had problems, but the team tried to sort them out quickly and offered compensation. The manager was especially kind and attentive. I think her name was Giada, and she deserves a lot of credit.