Jardim do Vau

The children’s playground and yard are very well kept, and the outdoor pool, terrace, and pool bar are all great. There’s also a well-stocked minimarket in the complex. The apartments were very clean and had everything we needed, and the staff were kind, helpful, and well trained. The standout is the location right beside Praia do Vau, with direct beach access. I highly recommend it.

We came in winter, and the indoor pool was a real highlight for the kids: it was clean and huge compared with pools at other hotels, around 20 metres long and 1.45 metres deep, with a jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room too. The beach is right next door, about a two-minute walk, so it also seems well placed for summer. We didn’t use the outdoor pools, though they looked clean, or the restaurant; the little minimarket was basic and fairly priced. We booked on the hotel website and couldn’t find any option except a ground-floor one-bedroom apartment. Check-in was quick and the price was decent for Christmas. Our apartment was in block D, with a small glimpse of the ocean and a bright, south-facing balcony. It was a decent size and spotless, decorated all in white, and the kitchen had basic things like a microwave, hob, a few utensils, and a fridge-freezer. It was cleaned daily, with linen changed every fourth day. Check-out was quick too, and we’d come back.

The staff were great, the location was good, and the rooms were nice. Breakfast at the restaurant was a bit lackluster, and the fold-out bed was really uncomfortable. I’d still recommend it.

A lovely, very clean hotel with a great indoor pool, spa, and sauna. Close to the beach.