Hotel Capela das Artes

The village is only a five-minute walk away, with two good restaurants and a nice café and bakery for a morning coffee and pastry. Back at the hotel, breakfast was especially good, the staff were wonderfully friendly and always ready to help, and lounging by the quiet pool was lovely. It’s a charming little sanctuary from the nearby coastal high-rise flats. We’d highly recommend it for a few days of rest and relaxation.

Capela das Artes feels like a lovely secret tucked away in Alcantarilha, far from the usual hotel experience. The property is beautiful, and the pools are ideal for a lazy afternoon. The staff we met were genuinely welcoming, with none of that practiced hospitality. Julie makes everything run smoothly while making you feel more like a friend than a customer. You can tell she cares about how guests are doing. And then there’s Freud, a mule named after Sigmund Freud. He’s full of character and seems thrilled to meet people. Bring an apple along, and you might make a friend. His excitement really brightened our mornings. My one suggestion is to add more plant-based breakfast choices. The food was lovely, but the Algarve has such good local produce, like fruit, nuts, olives, and bread, that it seems easy to offer more variety for vegan guests while keeping the Portuguese feel.

It’s a small hotel set on a huge plot, in a good location overall. There’s a fridge in the room, and Aldi is just across the street. Breakfast was great, the staff very friendly, and there are good restaurants within walking distance. Around the pool, you’ll find plenty of loungers and shaded spots.

A lovely place to stay, with olive trees all around and a peaceful, pleasant pool. Beautiful beaches are only a few minutes away by car.