Pestana Dom João II

Watching the sea from the shared seating areas on each floor was such a treat. You can just sit back, look at the sand and waves, and unwind. It was our first time in The Algarve, and I think we found a great spot, both at the hotel and in the resort. Everyone we met seemed happy and proud to work there, and that showed in the service. Nothing felt like too much trouble. We also spoke with guests who come back several times a year, which made sense to us.

We've been staying here for over 15 years, but this was our first January visit. We booked bed and breakfast and weren't disappointed. The breakfast buffet was fresh, generous, and had a great range. Our room stayed tidy and fresh all week thanks to housekeeping. The pool, sauna, steam room, and gardens were all exceptional. There's a large square bar serving just about anything, with great staff. Hardick deserves a special mention for staying calm when it got busy, being so friendly and helpful, and keeping everyone served quickly with a smile. We ate dinner at the hotel one night, though there are plenty of restaurants around town. The restaurant area was lovely, and the menu was good, if a little small.

This was my fifth January or February visit to the Dom Joao II, and I enjoyed it just as much. The rooms are spacious and airy, the food is high quality, and the staff are a real pleasure. They're friendly, helpful, and unfailingly polite. I've stayed in some very high-end hotels, and plenty of their staff could learn from the people here. From check-in onward, everyone seems willing to help. I tried a ground-floor suite this time, with direct access to the garden, and it was every bit as good as my usual stays in a higher sea-view room with a balcony. Those rooms do have spectacular views of the Atlantic rollers and the wide beach. A path through the gardens leads to the beach, then a flat walk takes you into town. It's a bit of a trek, but the views are sensational. Bar drinks are reasonably priced for a hotel of this quality, and the Pestana app gives you 10 per cent off. So many staff have been there for years, which says a lot about how well the hotel is managed.

We were staying next door at the Pestana Beach Villas, but made good use of the hotel's pool, gardens, bar, and restaurants. The gardens are beautiful and spacious. Breakfast was a real spread, with something for every taste, and some of the best omelettes too. At the bar, prices were what you'd expect for this kind of hotel, and they poured a decent Super Bock and made delicious, authentic Caipirinhas. The front desk, restaurant, and bar teams were among the most welcoming, cheerful, and accommodating we've met.