Roaz de Bandeira House

We were surprised by the glowing ratings. We stayed three weeks and paid less for better hotels. This place doesn’t feel like a hotel at all: there’s no room service, and really no service. The beds weren’t great, and breakfast didn’t seem worth it to us, so we skipped it on two days. When we arrived, the place seemed a bit sketchy and poorly situated, which the photos don’t really show. In my opinion, there isn’t much worth visiting nearby, and you have to drive about 20 minutes to Faro for more interesting places. The welcome was cold, and even small requests seemed to be treated as if we were asking too much. We booked four days and asked for fresh towels on day three. That came across as a whim to them.

Claudia and Luis were charming and very helpful. Their local knowledge helped us choose trips both in and out of town, and by the end we knew our way around. Nothing was too much trouble, and we felt comfortable throughout. The house is in a quiet, safe-feeling enclave, and the back garden is a lovely little haven. The systems and facilities worked really well. There are lots of places to eat and drink nearby, and the location makes it easy to get around. We may have spent a bit too long in those places! The facilities were first-rate, the breakfasts generous and tasty, and the proprietors did everything they could to make the stay memorable. Honestly, it’s hard to find anything critical to say. It was all splendid.

We stayed six nights with my partner and came away really happy with it. For what I paid, I got much more than I expected, and I’d gladly come back. Claudia was friendly and open, with lots of useful tips on things to do around the Algarve and places to eat in Olhão. Breakfast was fresh and plentiful, with local Portuguese ingredients. Our room and the rest of the house were very clean, and we had the essentials, including a shower, AC and a shared kitchen. There’s also a nicely decorated cellar with dining tables and a fridge of drinks, which cost extra. It connects to a lovely garden, with room to spend time alone or chat with other guests. One small note: I saw some one-star reviews from people who seemed to expect a hotel. This is a B&B, so the experience is more personal. If social interaction feels unpleasant to you or you need 24-hour room service, a large hotel might suit you better.

We had such a great three-night stay at Roaz’s guesthouse. She gave us helpful local tips when she welcomed us, and the breakfasts were delicious. She makes her own yogurt and jams, and there’s plenty of bread, cheese, meat and local fruit, plus lots of tea and coffee. Five-star service. Obrigada!