B&B Hotel Olhao Algarve

It’s handy having a supermarket and lots of shops right below the hotel, and the town centre is an easy walk away. The staff were helpful and friendly, and the large bed was really comfortable. Good value for money. I’d recommend it and would definitely stay again.

The check-in left me annoyed from the start. I’d paid the full amount, including taxes and fees, online, but reception insisted I pay the tax again before they’d let me in. I showed the receipt, but he still wouldn’t check us in and told me to call the online service for a refund. It wasn’t a huge sum, but after a long journey with my elderly parents, I just paid again so we could get to the room. From the outside the hotel looked just like the stylish, modern place in the photos, and I thought I’d found a gem. Inside, though, the room felt dark and the materials all seemed noticeably cheap, from the bedding to the toilet paper. It was neat, but the online pictures made it look much better quality than it was. I booked after seeing all the five-star Google reviews, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a nice holiday. The area isn’t nice and the quality isn’t good. For a budget stay, a quick stopover, or if reasonable cleanliness is enough, it’s a clean two- or three-star hotel at best. I’d rather spend a bit more for a four-star place. It’s in the shopping centre, though my room, like many in my section, didn’t open onto a public area. Some rooms do open straight onto the mall, which felt weird.

After landing at faro airport, we found the hotel very easy to get to. We stayed for two nights, had a comfortable room and excellent service, and the breakfast was very good. I’d definitely stay again.

The staff were really polite and friendly, and the cleanliness more than makes up for the rooms being plain and having very little personal decor. It works well for a quick stop, with a good continental breakfast and free parking. Since there aren’t drink-making facilities in the rooms, the 24-hour access to water and hot drinks is useful. Each room has a safe and a small fridge. It’s on the top floor of a shopping mall, which is handy for cafes or picking up forgotten things, and you take the lift up to reception from the free parking. I did feel a bit exposed, though, because the room door opens onto a glass walkway above the mall. The airport is about a 20-minute drive at most. If you’re looking for nice views, this built-up area means you’ll need to travel elsewhere.